Scarred tree

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An Aboriginal scarred tree (Parramatta, NSW). Photo by Jens-Uwe Korff.

Scarred trees are trees which have had bark removed by indigenous Australians for the creation of canoes, shelters, shields and containers, such as coolamons. They are among the easiest to find archaeological sites in Australia.

Bark was removed by making deep cuts in a tree with a stone axe. The area of bark removed is typically regular in shape, often with parallel sides and slightly pointed or rounded ends, and the scar usually stops above ground level. Australian native Eucalypt species such as box and red gum were commonly used, and the scars remain in trees that are often over 200 years old.

The sheets of bark were used by Aborigines for a variety of uses including canoes, shelters, shields, and containers.

Scarred trees are significant evidence of Aboriginal occupation and scarred trees can provide information on Aboriginal activities in the area that they are located.

[edit] See also

• Coolamon

[edit] References

• New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. 2005. Aboriginal scarred trees in NSW - a field manual. ISBN 1-74137-316-6

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