Australian Anthropologist to Speak at Colorado State University Thursday, Nov. 19

Aboriginal stone arrangements are found throughout Australia and are spiritually important to Aboriginal people. Annie Ross, a University of Queensland anthropologist, will discuss one of Australia’s most well-known Aboriginal stone arrangements in her presentation, “The Anthropology of an Archaeological Site: An Ancient Australian Aboriginal Stone Arrangement in the 21st Century,” at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19 in Eddy Hall Room 104 on the Colorado State University campus.

Gummingurru is an Aboriginal ceremonial site located in Queensland, Australia. Before Europeans arrived in the late 19th century, Gummingurru was a place where Aboriginal men would gather for initiation ceremonies. By the early 20th century, most of the Aboriginal people who were living near the site were moved to government-run Aboriginal missions on Palm Island and Cherbourg.

Since 2000, Aboriginals have returned to the site and have given the place and its cultural landscape a new meaning. Gummingurru now has contemporary value as a site of learning and reconciliation for all Australians.

Ross’ presentation is hosted by CSU’s Department of Anthropology. For more information on Gummingurru, visit http://www.gummingurru.com.au/.

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