Kernot Range facts for kids
The Kernot Range is a small group of hills in the southern part of the Northern Territory, Australia. It's located within the Angas Downs Indigenous Protected Area. You can find it near where the Lasseter Highway and Luritja Road meet. This range is mostly one long ridge of bent and folded sedimentary rock. It stretches for about 18 kilometers (11 miles) from the northwest to the southeast.
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What is the Kernot Range?
The Kernot Range is a series of hills, not very tall, but important to the local people. It's made of rock that was once soft sediment (like sand or mud) and then got squished and changed over millions of years. This process is called deformation. The range runs in a straight line, making it easy to spot in the landscape.
Who Named the Kernot Range?
The Kernot Range got its name from an explorer named William Henry Tietkens. He discovered this area on July 18, 1889. Tietkens decided to name the range after William Charles Kernot, who was a professor at the University of Melbourne.
The highest point in the northern part of the range is called Mount Thompson. Tietkens named this peak after H. M. Thompson, a politician from Victoria.
Why is the Kernot Range Important?
The hills of the Kernot Range are very important to the southern Luritja people. Many Luritja families live in the areas around the range.
Wilbia: A Special Place
The most important sacred site in the Kernot Range is called Wilbia. You might also see it spelled Wilpia or Wilpiya. Wilbia is a clear, open space at the southeastern end of the range. It has a special rockhole that collects water, known as a soakage.
This soakage is a very reliable source of water. It's a vital place for many families living across the Luritja homeland. Wilbia is connected to other important Dreaming sites. These include Uluṟu and Kata Tjuṯa, which are also famous landmarks.
Wilbia is often used for important rituals and ceremonies. These can include initiations, which are special events marking a person's journey into adulthood.
