James Paul 
In the hilly landscape of the Victorian volcanic plains, north-west of Melbourne, intriguing circular formations question for decades researchers and observers. These earth rings, including that of Sunbury Ring G, constitute a unique archaeological phenomenon of its kind, but So far little documented in the Southeast Australian.
However, a study published on January 7, 2025 In Australian Archaeology was carried out to unravel the mystery of these structures. Led by researcher Caroline Spry, She worked with an Aboriginal people from Australiathe Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung, in order to offer a more complete reading of these atypical rocky structures.
The Wurundjeri voice at the heart of research
The team relied on a methodology called ” Braided Knowledge Approach ”, that we could translate into French by ” approach to intertwined knowledge ”. The idea is to integrate traditional aborigine and western archaeological technical knowledge to place the representatives Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung At the heart of the scientific process.
Stratigraphic analyzes and optically stimulated luminescence dates (OSL) carried out in 2022 on the Sunbury G ring made it possible to identify five different sedimentary layers. The oldest, made up of natural clay, is surmounted by a paleosol and then the layer forming the mound in the shape of a circle. The chronological results situate this ring between 590 and 1,400 years before our era, therefore confirming the anthropogenic origin of these training.
On the image below, we can see in the part A a satellite view of the Sunbury region indicating the location of the main earth rings (in blue). In part B, one of the rings in aerial view close to one of the earth rings concerned by the study. But what was these rings for ?
Cultural dimension of earth rings
Sunbury’s land rings were actually ceremonial spaces of capital importance in the cosmology and social organization of the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung peoples. The archaeological analysis coupled with the testimonies of the representatives of the natives, proved that these monumental structures served mainly as places dedicated to male initiation rituals (tállang-gŭn).
The ceremonies that took place there marked the statutory transition of young men (jibauk) within their community. The ritual process was very rigorous: the initiates first resided at a distance from the main camp, under the supervision of their mentors (guitch Or kangun) and the supervision of the traditional healer (wirrarup). Gradually, their camp was approaching the main group until their complete reinstatement, now invested with a new social status.
Artefacts were also found inside the Sunbury G ring, which corroborates this ritual function. Tools used to scarify human skin, vestiges of lights, etc.
Unfortunately, British colonization, initiated in the region in 1835, violently upset these cultural practices. It is estimated that at least 400 similar rings used to exist in New South Wales and Queensland, but Only a quarter remains today. Despite this traumatic story, the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung still maintain A deep connection with this story. As explained by a representative of these during the study: ” Walking on this territory and sharing our knowledge is absolutely extraordinary. We visit the home of our ancestors ». Hopefully the benefits of this research come back to Wurundjeri communities, In order to revitalize their cultural base.
- Sunbury’s land rings have been confirmed as ancient human structures, built more than 1,000 years ago for ritual purposes.
- These circles were used for the initiation ceremonies for young men Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung.
- Colonization has largely destroyed these sites, but the indigenous community continues to preserve and transmit their cultural importance.
