Australian Cave Reveals 25,000 Years of Grass‑Burning Rituals

The GunaiKurnai, an Aboriginal nation of Australia, are recognised as the traditional custodians of Gippsland and the southern Victorian Alps. Within this territory lie a number of caves that, according to 19th‑century ethnographic accounts and oral histories, served as sites for magic, healing, and cursing rituals performed by highly respected learned women and men known as “mulla‑mullung,” as well as other spiritual practitioners.

Archaeological investigations have confirmed that these caves, particularly Cloggs Cave, have been in use for such ceremonial activities for at least 25,000 years. The evidence—ranging from artefacts to stratified deposits—demonstrates a continuous human presence that aligns with the GunaiKurnai’s long‑standing cultural practices and the spiritual significance attributed to these subterranean spaces.

The findings underscore the deep historical and cultural connections between the GunaiKurnai people and their landscape, highlighting the importance of preserving these sites as living heritage that reflects both ancient traditions and ongoing custodial stewardship.