Question: Did you know that we’re standing near what some believe could be the world’s oldest astronomical observatory? This is Wurdi Youang. It is an Aboriginal stone arrangement. Wurdi Youang sits near Little River, between Melbourne and Geelong.
Wurdi Youang is more than just a collection of rocks. It represents a deep connection to the land and sky. The Wurdi Youang site consists of about 100 basalt stones. These stones form an egg-shaped oval. The arrangement stretches about 50 meters. Its longest side runs almost perfectly east to west. The stones vary in size. Some are small rocks. Others stand almost a meter high.
For years, the meaning of Wurdi Youang was lost. Colonists suppressed the language and culture of the Indigenous people. But in recent years, experts have been piecing the story back together. Archaeologists, astronomers, and First Nation advisers are working together.
They discovered something amazing about Wurdi Youang. The stones align with the sun’s position during the solstices. These mark the longest and shortest days of the year. Unlike Stonehenge, the alignment isn’t through gaps in the stones. Instead, the Wurdi Youang arrangement points to the equinox. This is when day and night are equal.
The stones are estimated to be about 11000 years old. That makes Wurdi Youang older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. But the exact date remains unknown. This is due to funding issues. Indigenous people lived in this area from around 25000 BCE. They were displaced by European settlers in 1835. One family has owned the land since that time. They confirmed the arrangement was not European in origin. Wurdi Youang became a protected site in 1977. The Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative now owns and manages it.
The name Wurdi Youang has a rich meaning too. It likely comes from the Wadawurrung language. It might mean “big hill”. This was an original name for Station Peak in the You Yangs. Some say “Wurdi” means “plenty of people”. “Youang” could mean “bald” or “mountain”. This might refer to the nearby You Yangs mountain range. Another theory connects “Wurdi” to the Woiwurrung word “Wurding”. That means abalone. Perhaps the stone arrangement resembles an abalone shell. This suggests it was used in ceremonies.
Researchers have found old farming terraces near Wurdi Youang. These terraces suggest that people lived in permanent villages nearby. Wurdi Youang may have been used to track the seasons. This could have been for farming. Aboriginal communities have a deep knowledge of the stars. Stone arrangements like Wurdi Youang hold sacred meaning. That’s why there are few written records about them.
Wurdi Youang may soon gain even more recognition. There is hope for it to become a World Heritage Site. This will bring funding for its protection. It will also help bring back the stories and culture of the Wadawurrung people.
The stones before you stand as a testament. They testify to the ingenuity and deep understanding of the land. They are a legacy that continues to inspire.