Aboriginal heritage information

Aboriginal cultural heritage is of vital importance in understanding the history of the Northern Territory (NT).

It’s also important to Aboriginal peoples as part of their continuing culture and identity.

The NT has a rich and diverse range of Aboriginal archaeological places, including:

• artefact scatters
• shell middens
• earth mounds
• quarries
• stone arrangements
• rock shelters with evidence of occupation
• rock art
• burial places
• places that provide evidence of early contact between Aboriginal peoples.

Macassan heritage

The NT coastline also contains evidence of visits by Macassan people. They sailed from what is now modern day Indonesia from at least the early 1700s, and interacted with Aboriginal peoples. 

Evidence of these visits include:

• the remains of stone fireplaces and smoke houses
• tamarind trees planted by Macassan people
• fragments of earthenware and porcelain
• burial places.

Protected archaeological places and objects

The Heritage Act 2011 does not protect all aspects of Aboriginal cultural heritage. However, it automatically protects all Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places and objects. This includes places and objects not previously recorded.

Report a discovery

The Act includes an obligation to report the discovery of Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places and objects. Discoveries are reported to the Heritage Branch.

Aboriginal archaeological database

Information about Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places is recorded in an archaeological database. This is used to help manage Aboriginal cultural heritage in the NT.

The database only includes information about known archaeological places.

Much of the NT has not been surveyed, so archaeological places may still exist in an area even if they don’t appear in the database.

Due to cultural sensitivity, information from the database is only provided to people with a legitimate interest - for example, someone who wants to carry out work that may impact on Aboriginal archaeological places.

For more information, contact the Heritage Branch.

Carrying out proposed activities

If you’re proposing any activity that could affect Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places, contact the Heritage Branch.

In providing advice to you, the Heritage Branch will:

• find out whether there are known Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places within the area subject to the work, or in the vicinity
• consider the extent of previous disturbance
• consider the location, scale and nature of the proposed activity
• assess if it’s likely that unknown Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places will be within the area subject to the work, based on all available information.

Surveys

To meet your obligations under the Act, the Heritage Branch may ask you to carry out an archaeological survey led by a qualified archaeologist.

The archaeologist will provide an assessment of significance for any Aboriginal or Macassan archaeological places or objects located as a result of the survey.

Contact the branch to discuss the scope of work for the survey.

For large-scale or complex projects, you may also need to complete a cultural heritage management  plan (CHMP).

These plans set out how Aboriginal cultural heritage will be managed over the life of the project. A CHMP needs to include:

• an ‘unexpected finds’ protocol
• the views of relevant Aboriginal parties, and details of ongoing engagement with them
• strategies for avoiding impacts on Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places
• where disturbance is proposed, mitigation strategies and steps you will take to ensure compliance with the Heritage Act 2011.

Engage with Aboriginal people

In situations where any activity may affect an Aboriginal or Macassan archaeological place (including survey work and research), Aboriginal people must be:

• told of the intent to carry out archaeological survey work or research
• involved in decision making at all stages
• involved in fieldwork (if possible)
• consulted about progress, findings and recommendations in a way that is easy to understand
• acknowledged for their contribution.

The principles of free, prior and informed consent must be applied, as set out in Dhawura Ngilan. To find out more, go to the Australian Government’s Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water website.

You should also read the NT Government’s Remote Engagement and Coordination Strategy on the Bush Ready website.

Apply for a permit

Any effects on Aboriginal and Macassan archaeological places and objects should be avoided if possible. You must apply for a permit if you propose to disturb an Aboriginal or Macassan archaeological place.

You should consider what happens to artefacts that are disturbed or relocated during the course of work. Traditional Owners should decide how this is managed. A permit may include conditions in relation to the fate of artefacts.

To apply for a permit, follow these steps:

Step 1. Fill in an application to carry out work on a heritage place or object.

Application to carry out work on heritage place or object PDF (197.5 KB)
Application to carry out work on heritage place or object DOCX (68.8 KB)

Step 2. Attach evidence that you have consulted with relevant Aboriginal representative bodies and other Aboriginal peoples as required at all stages of the process.

Step 3. Submit your application by mail or email.

Heritage Branch
Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities
GPO Box 1448
Darwin NT 0800
heritage.branch@nt.gov.au

After you apply

If an archaeological place or object is unexpectedly located during the project, you must stop work.  If you don’t have an approved unexpected finds protocol, contact the Heritage Branch, and follow its advice.

Contact

For more information, email heritage.branch@nt.gov.au or call 08 8999 5039.