Parramatta Sand Body Conservation Area and Military Barracks Site facts for kids

The Parramatta Sand Body Conservation Area and Military Barracks Site is a special place in Harris Park, Sydney, Australia. It's a heritage-listed archaeological site. This means it's protected because it holds important clues about the past. It tells stories about both Aboriginal people and early European settlers. This site was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on July 8, 2011.

Discovering the Past: The Parramatta Sand Body

What is the Parramatta Sand Body?

The Parramatta Sand Body is a unique layer of sand found along the Parramatta River. It runs through the centre of Parramatta. Scientists believe this sand was left behind by the river during ancient floods. The main part of the sand forms a natural bank along the river's south side.

This sand is very old, possibly up to 120,000 years old. It might even be from a time when sea levels were much higher. The area used to have paperbark trees, grasslands, and gum trees. There were also swamps and waterholes.

Aboriginal Life in Parramatta

Aboriginal people have lived in the Parramatta area for thousands of years. They left behind many signs of their life. These include rock shelters, campsites, and places where they sharpened tools.

Parramatta was a great place for Aboriginal people to live. The river provided fresh water and food like ducks, eels, and fish. The land also had kangaroos, possums, and native fruits. The local Aboriginal group was called the Boromedegal people. Sadly, their distinct group disappeared soon after Europeans arrived.

Finding Ancient Evidence in the Sand

The Parramatta Sand Body was first identified in 2002. This happened during an archaeological dig for a new building. Since then, many more digs have shown that this sand holds amazing evidence. It shows how Aboriginal people lived along the Parramatta River long before Europeans came.

Archaeologists found over 6,500 stone tools at one site. These included rare items like axe heads and hammerstones. They found tools in two different layers of sand. The tools in the upper layer were newer, about 2,000 years old. The tools in the lower layer were much older, between 10,000 and 30,000 years old. Finding these layers helps scientists understand how Aboriginal life changed over time. This kind of discovery is very important for Australian archaeology.

More digs in 2005 also found thousands of stone tools. These finds continue to help us learn about the ancient history of the Parramatta area.

Early European Settlement: The Military Barracks

Why Parramatta Was Chosen

After the First Fleet arrived in 1788, Governor Phillip quickly realized the land in Sydney wasn't good for growing food. In April 1788, he explored the Parramatta River. He found a place he called "The Crescent" and saw thousands of acres of good farmland.

In November 1788, Governor Phillip sent convicts and marines to this spot. They started a government farm, which he named Rose Hill. This farm was very successful. Rose Hill soon grew into a town, which for a time was bigger and more important than Sydney.

Building the First Barracks

In July 1790, Governor Phillip decided to build permanent structures in Rose Hill. He planned a town with a main street, now called George Street. He also planned to build homes for the soldiers.

The New South Wales Corps arrived in June 1790 to replace the marines. They needed a place to live. In November 1790, construction began on the first military barracks. These barracks were built near the Government Wharf, along George Street.

The barracks were meant to house 100 soldiers. They were built with bricks and mud mortar. Because of the mud mortar, the buildings could only be 12 feet high. This was to stop heavy rains from washing the mortar away. By March 1791, one barrack was finished. The NSW Corps moved in by May 1791.

The Barracks Over Time

Drawings from 1804 show the barracks as three buildings around a parade ground. Other buildings like kitchens were behind them. There was also a soldiers' garden that stretched to a nearby creek.

The barracks were not built to last. The poor quality bricks and mud mortar meant they quickly fell apart. By 1798, they were in bad shape. In 1810, Governor Lachlan Macquarie decided new barracks were needed. Work on new barracks began in 1819. The old barracks were too decayed to use. They were likely torn down by 1829.

What Happened to the Site After 1829?

After the barracks were gone, the land was used for different things. In 1844, the Purchase family bought the property. They started a large plant nursery called Somerset Nursery.

In the early 1900s, parts of the land were sold off. By 1952, a large section became Robin Thomas Reserve, a public park. Later, more land was added to the reserve.

In 2003, archaeologists dug at the corner of Harris and George Streets. They found traces of the old military barracks. These included a sandstone drain and brick foundations. These finds match the building methods used by convicts in the early colony. Even though the site has been disturbed over time, important historical remains are still there.

Why This Site is Important

The Parramatta Sand Body: A Link to the Past

The Parramatta Sand Body is a very important cultural landscape. The archaeological discoveries here have greatly improved our understanding of Aboriginal life in the Parramatta area. The age of these finds and the evidence of change over time are significant for all of Australian archaeology.

For local Aboriginal people, this sand body is especially meaningful. Their ancestors lived on and used this land for thousands of years. The sand body is a real, physical link to their cultural heritage. It can help us learn more about their diet and lifestyle long ago.

The sand body also helps scientists understand how the Parramatta River Valley formed. It might even give clues about ancient sea levels, which could help us understand future climate changes. It also provides information about the natural environment of Parramatta before European settlement.

The Military Barracks: Early Colonial History

The site of the Military Barracks and Soldiers Garden is important because it's linked to the very beginning of Parramatta. Governor Phillip started this settlement in 1788. The barracks were a key part of building the new town.

This site is also connected to the New South Wales Corps. These soldiers arrived in 1790 and were the first to live in the new barracks. This site is a rare archaeological find. It might be the oldest physical evidence of a convict-era military barracks in Australia. Studying it can tell us about the daily lives of soldiers in the early colony. It can also teach us about the building materials available back then.