Evidence has been found in Australia of an unusual ritual that has been practised for thousands of generations

The scientists reached this conclusion not on the basis of legends or rock art, but through the analysis of thousands of microscopic silicon particles from plants — phytoliths. The findings are consistent with the oral traditions of the Gunay-Kurnay people, who regard the cave as a site for rituals of healing, magic and curses.

Details

Cloggs Cave is situated on the territory of the Gunai-Kurnai people in south-eastern Australia. According to 19th-century ethnographic records and oral traditions, rituals were performed here by spiritual practitioners—men and women known as mulla-mullung.

During excavations carried out in 2019–2020 at the initiative of the Gunai-Kurnai Land and Waters Corporation, archaeologists discovered dozens of thin layers of ash dating from 4,400 to 1,600 years ago. However, deeper deposits revealed that such practices existed much earlier — almost 25,000 years ago.

To understand which plants were used in the cave, the scientists examined phytoliths — tiny silica structures that remain in plant tissues even after the plants have completely decomposed.

As plants do not grow inside the cave due to the lack of light, the phytoliths found could only have entered from outside. Particles altered by exposure to high temperatures proved particularly significant: they indicate that the plants were brought in by people and burnt directly inside the cave.

The researchers identified 29 different types of phytoliths. Up to 97 per cent of these belonged to grasses, and people brought not individual leaves but whole plants into the cave — complete with stems, leaves, inflorescences and roots.

The authors note that the choice of plants was by no means random. Despite the great diversity of local vegetation, the ancient inhabitants almost always preferred certain types of grasses, which they gathered near the cave entrance.

Around 18 per cent of all the phytoliths discovered were found to be melted or burnt. Such traces are found in all cultural layers, suggesting that the same ritual was repeated many times over the course of millennia.

Another unusual find was a stone, approximately 28 centimetres high, set upright. According to dating results, it was placed in the cave around two thousand years ago. Archaeologists believe that it was also used for ritual purposes.

In addition to burnt grass, processed wooden sticks made from casuarina wood and coated with animal fat were found in the older layers. According to the researchers, these may also have formed part of ancient ceremonies.

However, the scientists emphasise that the archaeological evidence alone does not allow for a direct determination of the rituals’ purpose. Their interpretation is based on a combination of archaeological finds, 19th-century ethnographic accounts and knowledge preserved by the Gunay-Kurnay people.

Why this is important

The study shows that certain cultural traditions may have persisted for tens of thousands of years. It also demonstrates how valuable collaboration between modern scientists and indigenous peoples can be, as their oral traditions help to interpret archaeological finds.

Furthermore, the study highlights the potential of modern archaeobotany: even microscopic plant remains can reveal details of ancient rituals that left no other physical traces.

Source

The study was published in the journal *Frontiers in Environmental Archaeology*.

Title: Phytoliths from Cloggs Cave, Gunai-Kurnai Country (south-eastern Australia) reveal the gathering of whole grasses for burning practices inside the cave.