REPORT ON EUROPEAN ROCK ENGRAVINGS WOODFORD BENDS,...

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REPORT ON EUROPEAN ROCK ENGRAVINGS

WOODFORD BENDS, GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY

BLUE MOUNTAINS, N.S.W.

A REPORT PREPARED FOR CONNELL WAGNER (NSW) PTY LID

NOVEMBER 1991

WENDYTHORP


REPORT ON EUROPEAN ROCK ENGRAVINGS

WOODFORD BENDS, GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY

BLUE MOUNTAINS, N.S.W.

A REPORT PREPARED FOR CONNELL WAGNER

NOVEMBER 1991

WENDY TIIORP

CONSULTANT ARCHAEOLOGIST

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REPORT ON ROCK ENGRAVINGS: WOODFORD BENDS

CONTENTS OF THE REPORT

1.0 Synopsis .................................. 2

2.0 Preface to the Report .......................... 4

2.1 l..ocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.2 Parameters of the Investigation .................... 4

2.3 Initiative for Investigation ....................... 4

2.4 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2.5 Methodology ............................... 5

2.6 Constraints. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

2.7 Authorship and Acknowledgements .................. 5

3.0 Historic Context ............................. 6

3.1 Early Road Construction and the Railway Works .......... 6

3.2 Later Road Development and Increasing Traffic .......... 6

4.0 Report on Engravings .......................... 8

5.0 Subsidiary Documentation ....................... 9

5.1 Bibliography ................................ 9

6.0 Schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

Pagel

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SECTION 1.0 SYNOPSIS

This investigation was carried out at the request of Connell Wagner on behalf of the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW. It is one component of the Woodford Bends Reconstruction programme between Bull's Camp and the Appian Way. It was concerned with an outcrop of rock located approximately two kilometres south-west of Bulls Camp that was to be removed as part of this programme.

The primary objectives of this work were to identify and record any engravings within the area of demolition, to liaise with local historians for the purpose of identifying, if possible, the likely source of the engravings as well as providing the community with information on the programme and to prepare a permanent record of the resource for archival purposes.

There are no records available which can precisely identify the source of these engravings. Neither can local historians positively identify the derivation of the resource. At best, then, an informed guess can be made taking into account the primary historical events of the area and the dates recorded in the engravings.

It has been concluded in view of the style, the few dates which can be identified and the known historical context of the area that the most likely source for them is to be found in the itinerant gangers of the early twentieth century and, as well, tourists from the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. What is perhaps more difficult to understand is why this one particular rock outcrop was favoured unless it was a case of a tradition established and perpetuated for a short time.

Six engravings were identified and recorded during this programme. Five were located close together on a sloping section of rock and one single engraving was found on an adjoining and vertical slab. It is suggested, on the basis of style, that the single engraving is earlier than the other five. The engravings record either initials or names and two have dates included in the inscriptions.

The single engraving on the vertical face is the largest, approximately 1.5 metres long, and the most finely executed. It records the name "THOMPSON" with the date "1899" above it.

On the adjoining rock face are recorded in a variety of styles, none particularly fine, the

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initials "J. BU-", "C.R." and "D.K." (the last case may have been originally a full name and subsequently been eroded). The other two engravings record complete names; "W. MITCHELL" and "ISABEL BEWLEY" the latter with the date "20.7.19-" the last part too faint to decipher. None of the initials or names are familiar to local historians.

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FIGURE 1: Site Location Plan

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Rock Outcrop



SECTION 2.0 PREFACE TO THE REPORT

2.1 Location

This investigation centred on an outcrop of rock in the Woodford Bends area of the Blue Mountains. It was located approximately two kilometres south-west of Bulls Camp south of the junction of Ridge Street with the existing Great Western Highway. It is located on Cut D of the construction work.

2.2 Parameters of the Investigation

The investigation was only concerned with recording European rock engravings that were threatened by the demolition of the outcrop as part of the road works.

2.3 Initiative for Investigation

This investigation was carried out at the request of Connell Wagner on behalf of the Roads and Traffic Authority of NSW. It is one component of the Woodford Bends Reconstruction programme between Bull's Camp and the Appian Way.

2.4 Objectives

The primary objectives of this work were to:

• identify and record any engravings within the area of demolition

• liaise with local historians for the purpose of identifying, if possible, the likely source of the engravings as well as providing the community with information on the programme

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• prepare a permanent record of the resource for archival purposes

2.5 Methodology

Prior to the recording programme an initial site inspection was made to assess the likely significance of the resource. On this basis a recommendation was made for recording prior to removal. A site inspection was also carried out with representatives from Connell Wagner, the Roads and Traffic Authority, local libraries, historical groups and other concerned organisations.

2.6 Constraints

The primary constraint encountered during this programme was the condition of the engravings. Some were so faint as to make accurate recording near impossible others, because of their location, were also difficult to accurately record.

I 2.7 Authorship and Acknowledgements

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This report has been prepared by W. Thorp the principal consultant. The author would like to thank Mr M. Kelly for his help with the recording, Mr Graham Bunn of Connall Wagner and Mr Alex Dunstan of the Roads and Traffic Authority for their assistance and the following people for their advice and comments: Keith Edwards (Blue Mountains Historical Society), Robin Corringham (Upper Blue Mountains Conservation Society), Winnow Brown (Lower Blue Mountains Conservation Society), John Merriman (Blue Mountains Library), John Lowe (Springwood Historical Library) and Bob Pausey (Woodford Progress Association).

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SECTION 3.0 HISTORIC CONTEXT

There are no records available which can precisely identify the source of these engravings. Neither can local historians positively identify the derivation of the resource. At best, then, an informed guess can be made taking into account the primary historical events of the area and the dates recorded in the engravings. The historical information supplied in this section has been derived from a number of sources which are noted in the bibliography.

3.1 Early Road Construction and the Railway Works

The first major historical event that could have produced work of this type was the construction of the first road over the mountains during the early years of the nineteenth century. However, the location, the types of engravings and the dates preclude this as a likely source. This also applies to the possibility of the engravings being associated with nearby convict encampments such as Bulls Camp Stockade.

The first likely event that could have contributed to the engravings was the construction of the railway to Wentworth Falls. This was completed by 1867. It is possible that some of the gangers associated with this work could have created the engravings. However, the style and dates encompassed by the engravings indicate that, although possible, this is perhaps not the most likely source. It is also unlikely that road works of this period, at that time and since 1859 administered by the Department of Public Works, contributed to their creation; work was minimal and few were employed at it.

3.2 Later Road Development and Increasing Traffic

During the later nineteenth century, from the 1880s onwards, tourism to the mountains escalated; guides were prepared, hotels and other accommodation built and access developed to the main scenic attractions. Large numbers of people came to the mountains for holidays and short trips. The railway provided the best form of access; the roads were still in poor condition.

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In 1907 the Local Government Act was passed by which the state was divided into Shires and Municipalities. These local authorities became responsible for roads and bridges. The Blue Mountains Shire Council faced problems in road maintenance through a chronic shortage of funds. The problem was compounded by the fact that motorised vehicles were becoming more prolific and required a better standard of road than was needed by horse drawn traffic.

By 1919 a gang of returned soldiers was employed on the main western road through the aid of a federal grant and during the 1920s the Council developed its own quarries and purchased plant. By 1925, however, the local engineers were complaining of the inadequacy of the materials and the manpower required to upgrade and maintain the roads. They also noted the greatly increasing volume of traffic along it. During the 1930s responsibility for the roads came under state authorities, at first the Main Roads Board and later the Department of Main Roads.

In view of the style and the few dates which can be identified in the engravings it is suggested that the most likely source for them is to be found in the itinerant gangers of the early twentieth century and, as well, tourists from the later nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. What is perhaps more difficult to understand is why this one particular rock outcrop was favoured unless it was a case of a tradition established and perpetuated; historical records are very unlikely to contribute to this issue.

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SECTION 4.0 REPORT ON THE ENGRAVINGS

Six engravings were identified and recorded during this programme. Five were located close together on a sloping section of rock and one single engraving was found on an adjoining and vertical slab. It is suggested, on the basis of style, that the single engraving is earlier than the other five. The engravings record either initials or names and two have dates included in the inscriptions.

The single engraving on the vertical face is the largest, approximately 1.5 metres long, and the most finely executed. It records the name 'THOMPSON" with the date "1899" above it.

On the adjoining rock face are recorded in a variety of styles, none particularly fine, the initials "J. BD-", "C.R.", "D.K." (the last case may have been originally a complete name and has been subsequently eroded). The other two engravings record full names; "W. MITCHELL" and "ISABEL BEWLEY" the latter with the date "20.7.19-". The last part of the date is too faint to decipher. None of the initials or names are familiar to local historians.

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REPORT ON ROCK BNGRA VINGS: WOODFORD BBNDS

SECTION 5.0 SUBSIDIARY DOCUMENTATION

5.1 Bibliography

Richmond, C.A. Blue Mountains the City Within A Park C.A. Richmond. 1987.

Searle, A.B. The History of Faulconbridge, Linden and Woodford Springwood Historical Society. 1972.

Spriggs, P.W. Our Blue Mountain Yesterdays P.W. Spriggs. 1962.

Stanbury, P. (Bd) The Blue Mountains Grand Adventure for All The Mac1eay Museum Second Back Row Press. 1988.

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I SECTION 6.0 SCHEDULE

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INSCRIPTION

SKETCH

SCHE,DULE OF ROCK ENGRAVINGS WOODFORD BENDS

THOMPSON 1899 , DIMENSIONS 5 c.1.5mx O. m

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SCHEDULE OF ROCK ENGRAVINGS WOODFORD BENDS

INSCRIPTION J. BU- DIMENSIONS 50x25cm

CJ ,O,a a 0 0 0 L 0

D 0 0

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Do ()

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SKETCH

VIEW

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SCHE,oULE OF ROCK ENGRAVINGS WOODFORD BENDS

INSCRIPTION DIMENSIONS

C.R. 23X12cm

SKETCH

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12x7cm

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SCHEPULE OF ROCK ENGRAVINGS WOODFORD BENDS

INSCRIPTION

DK DIMENSIONS

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65x50cm INSCRIPTION ISABEL/BEWLEY/20.7.19- DIMENSIONS

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15520cm INSCRIPTION W.MITCHELL DIMENSIONS

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