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Stone Tool/PR09-SP2-B8
Grinding stone
This grinding stone is made of fine grained siliceous (FGS) sedimentary rock and weighs 334g. It has clear evidence of use and wear.
MaterialStoneGeologyFine grained siliceous sedimentary rockPossible UseGrinding StonesPit ColumnBPit Row8Spit2Dig LocationFormer Palais Royale site at 684 Hunter Street, Newcastle WestAge or Date2480-1933 BPCurrent OwnershipAwabakal Local Aboriginal Land CouncilAwabakal Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation
SignificanceCultural• To the Awabakal people as an aspect of their cultural heritage and as part of continuing traditions;
• To the broader community, for educational, historical and cultural enrichment values; and
• To the scientific community for potential research value.
ScientificThe archaeological assemblage, along with the stratigraphic profile within the study area is considered to be highly to exceptionally scientific significant in terms of its heritage values.
Research Potential: The artefact assemblage recovered from the complex stratigraphy at this site is considered to be of high to exceptional research potential. There are few open sites in Australia that can demonstrate clear chronological stratigraphy in combination with a large artefact assemblage.
Condition/Integrity: The condition and integrity of the deposit was excellent. While bioturbation and vertical movement through insect and historical cultural activities was evident, especially in the upper spits, the artefact assemblage was generally well constrained within three specific occupation events.
Rarity: Archaeological sites that retain dateable material (and can therefore provide an age of the site) are rare. Activities within this site of collecting and discarding manuport from a local source is also not well documented in the archaeological literature and must be considered rare. The presence of stratigraphic archaeological materials with the potential for Pleistocene archaeology is rare in the local and regional contexts. The size of the assemblage along with its division through time into three occupation events is rarely found in open sites.