Coobool Creek facts for kids
Coolbool Creek is an important archaeological site in New South Wales, Australia. It's a place where scientists have found very old human remains. This site helps us learn about the first people who lived in Australia many thousands of years ago. It is located near the Wakool River, between the towns of Swan Hill and Deniliquin.
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Coolbool Creek: An Ancient Discovery
What Was Found at Coolbool Creek?
In 1950, a person named G. M. Black discovered something amazing at Coolbool Creek. He found 126 human skulls! These skulls were lying on the surface of the ground. The exact spot where they were found is not known today. However, we know it was near a place called Doherty's Hut at Coobool Crossing.
How Old Are the Skulls?
Scientists have worked hard to figure out how old these skulls are. It has been tricky to get an exact age for all of them. But, one of the skulls has been dated to about 14,300 years ago. This makes it a very old and important discovery. Because the skulls were found on the surface, it's harder to date them precisely. Some scientists think they might even be much older than 14,300 years.
What's Special About These Skulls?
Some of the skulls found at Coolbool Creek show something called artificial cranial deformation. This means that the shape of the skull was changed on purpose when the person was young. People in ancient times sometimes did this for cultural reasons.
The age, location, and these special skull shapes make Coolbool Creek similar to another ancient site. This other site is called Kow Swamp. Some scientists believe that the people from Coolbool Creek and Kow Swamp might have been part of the same group. However, other scientists have different ideas about this connection.
Where Are the Skulls Now?
The skulls from Coolbool Creek were kept at the University of Melbourne for many years. But in 1984, they were returned to the local Aboriginal communities. These are the descendants of the original people who lived in that area. The skulls were then reburied by the Aboriginal communities. This was an important step in respecting the wishes and heritage of the traditional owners of the land.
