A group of archaeology students from the University of Sydney has joined First Nations people in a field study near Mudgee, in central-western New South Wales, to investigate and document Indigenous cultural heritage. The project is highlighting the importance of involving Traditional Owners directly in research about their history, culture and Country.

The fieldwork brought together 11 undergraduate students, Gamilaraay archaeologist Wayne Brennan and other First Nations people at a culturally significant site near the village of Lue. During the visit, participants examined Aboriginal grinding grooves, rock art and other artefacts that provide evidence of Indigenous life and activity across the region.

The group identified six additional grinding sites during the research. These discoveries add to the existing record of the area’s cultural heritage and demonstrate why detailed archaeological documentation is important for preserving places of historical significance.

Brennan, who has more than four decades of experience in archaeology, has witnessed Indigenous people being excluded from investigations into their own history. He believes research should be undertaken through genuine cooperation, with Traditional Owners involved from the beginning rather than consulted only to meet formal requirements.

The approach allows Indigenous knowledge and archaeological methods to complement one another. While researchers can document physical evidence, First Nations communities bring their cultural understanding, connection to Country and knowledge of why particular locations matter.

The Lue area has a long history of human activity. Its waterholes, streams and proximity to the mountains made it a valuable place for people travelling through the landscape, gathering resources and meeting cultural responsibilities. Grinding grooves and other artefacts offer clues about how people used the area and interacted with their environment over many generations.

For students, the fieldwork also provided an opportunity to understand the responsibilities associated with studying Indigenous heritage. Clem Dalton, an archaeology and Indigenous Studies student, described the experience as an opportunity to learn from Traditional Owners and participate in a more respectful model of research.

The collaboration comes amid wider concerns about damage to Aboriginal cultural sites across Australia. The destruction of ancient rock shelters at Juukan Gorge in Western Australia in 2020 drew national attention to the consequences of inadequate heritage protection. Another rock shelter near Mudgee was destroyed during work connected with renewable-energy infrastructure in 2026, prompting renewed concern among Wiradjuri community members.

Indigenous heritage specialists have argued that stronger safeguards and meaningful community involvement are essential to prevent further losses. Recording sites accurately, respecting community knowledge and establishing ethical research practices can help inform decisions about conservation and future development.

University of Sydney archaeologist Jacob Bongers, who helped organise the field study, hopes to return to the area for further research if the community grants permission. Any additional work would continue to depend on cooperation with the people responsible for the site and its cultural significance.

The project illustrates how partnerships between universities and First Nations communities can strengthen archaeological research while supporting Indigenous leadership in protecting cultural heritage.