Over 270 Aboriginal stone artifacts found at Griffith Base Hospital

In May, a number of stone artifacts found at the hospital campus.

In a joint statement the Murrumbidgee Local Health District, Griffith Local Aboriginal Council and NSW Health Infrastructure say around 271 small stone artifacts were found.

The archaeological report describes the discovery as stone artifacts as bipolar flakes measuring in around three centimetres in size.

The flakes were created with technique used to create stone tools from small pebbles. Those tools were used for cutting and scraping.

Many of the artifacts were found in gravel brought onto the hospital campus for landscaping, however others were found at different locations suggesting the location was used as a campsite which could be several thousand years old.

An Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit will be prepared asking for further archaeological excavation to salvage additional artifacts.

The Griffith Aboriginal Land Council will submit an application to the National Parks and Wildlife Service to be keep the stone artifacts and decide how and where they are kept.

The archaeological report recommends an interpretation strategy to be developed so the significance of the discovery and to explain how the artifacts relate to the Aboriginal community and the city's history.

Meanwhile, MLHD says the re-development of the hospital remains on track.

Schematic design consultation is under way and the next stage of construction is slated to begin later this year.

READ MORE