

292 RECORDS OF THE S.A. MUSEUM 
(b) Four greyish chert implements, of the miero tula type (three shown, 
fig, 1, B, C, and D). 
(e) Two yellowish quartzite implements, of the seraper type. 
(d) Ten irregular flaked fragments of (quartz, quartzite, and chert (two micro 
pieces in chert shown (fig. 1, B—-F’). 
A broken grinding stone was later found on the site, The place was no doubt 
an aboriginal camping plaee, but the arid character of the district, with ocea- 
sional torrential rains and frequent strong winds, might well have prevented 
the development of anything resembling the normal kitchen midden of areas 
with moister climates. 
General. It seems clear that the area was for a long time an aboriginal 
meeting place and camping ground. It is curious that it so elosely adjoins the 
site of the racecourse, chosen by the modern folk of Broken Hill for their 
meeting place and recreation. 
The amphitheatre, the loug-drawn but yet compact area of the ‘‘hearths’’, 
with the lone hill (watch tower) close by, suggest that the site may have been 
chosen for ceremonial purposes. It is difficult to imagine that, in so dry a region, 
the ‘‘hearths’’ were made merely for building fires thereon, though that. is con- 
ceiyable, particularly if the aborigines met there only after rains. It would ap- 
pear, though the exact evidence for this has not been analysed, that the building of 
the ‘‘hearths’’ extended over a long period of time. 
Of the four groups, the largest *‘hearths*’ are those in the southernmost group, 
and the most abundant are in the second group to the north, where most of the 
artetaets were fonnd. Having in mind the habits of these primitive people, it is 
difficult to avoid the idea that some ceremonial and magic was associated with the 
locality. Both of the authors have wandered a great deal over the areas around 
Broken Hill, the resident author particularly so, and the latter knows of no other 
similar extensive arrangement of stones, thongh he has seen in several places small 
groups of similar ‘*hearths,’’ not more than 3 or 4 together. 
For these reasons, it was considered worth while to make a detailed record of 
the occurrence. The survey of the area was made by Mr. Black, who is also re- 
sponsible for the two photographs of the ‘‘hearths’’ reproduced herewith, Thanks 
are tendered to Dr. T. D. Campbell for comment and advice, and to Miss Gwen 
Waish, who kindly drew the line sketches of the artefacts. 
EXPLANATION OF PLATE, 
Plate vi. 
Fig. 1. Typical ‘*‘hearth'’ at Racecourse site, Broken Hill; stones mostly achists, mosaie char- 
acter not much disturbed. 
Fig. 2. Another ‘‘hearth’’, relatively compact, but somewhat disarranged, Racecourse site, 
Broken Hill, 
