Deep within Sunbury’s landscape lie rings of mystery. These are not natural formations. We are standing before the Correa Way Ring.
The Correa Way Ring represents feats of human endeavor. These rings symbolize the profound connection Aboriginal people hold to this Country. The Correa Way Ring and others are earth rings.
Let’s step back in time. Imagine Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people carefully constructing this ring. This happened centuries ago. They cleared land. They scraped soil and rock. The Woi-wurrung people created mounds and layered rocks. They crafted stone arrangements.
This Correa Way Ring is more than just an earthwork. The Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people constructed it between 590 and 1400 years ago. Archaeologists and Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people worked together to understand the site.
What did they find? Evidence suggests they lit campfires here. They made stone tools. They used these tools on plants and animals. The Woi-wurrung people moved items around the ring’s interior.
Consider the stone artifacts found here. Wear patterns hint at their use. Woi-wurrung speaking people may have crafted feather adornments. They may have used stones to scar skin for ceremonies. Such practices were documented elsewhere in Victoria.
This Correa Way Ring holds cultural significance. It represents Ancestors traveling and coming together. Sunbury Ring G is an important location. It lies between traditional estates. It sits along travel routes. Woi-wurrung speaking people gathered here. They likely conducted ceremonies.
Sadly many earth rings were destroyed. European colonization and land development caused this. Hundreds of rings once existed. Now only about 100 remain.
The rings in Sunbury are unique in Victoria. In 1979, David Frankel excavated Sunbury Ring G. This was the only known excavation of an earth ring in Australia.
In 2022, Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people analyzed 166 stone artifacts. These came from the original excavation. They combined their knowledge with archaeological findings.
This blending of knowledge deepened understanding. The Correa Way Ring became more than just a circle of earth. It is a cultural landscape. It connects people across generations.
Today Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people continue to care for this Country. They work to restore and preserve this cultural landscape.
As we stand here, remember the Correa Way Ring’s story. It speaks of ancient traditions. It tells of ongoing connection to the land. It reminds us to preserve these rings. They face threats from land development and climate change. Let’s honor the past by protecting the future of this sacred place. The Correa Way Ring is a testament to resilience.