Cloggs Cave Reveals 25,000 Years of Gunai‑Kurnai Ritual Use

Microscopic plant remains uncovered in Cloggs Cave show that Gunai‑Kurnai ancestors used the site for ritual burning of whole grasses for at least 25,000 years. Archaeologists found thin layers of charred grass, indicating deliberate collection and deposition inside the dark chamber. A standing stone erected roughly 2,000 years ago, along with other ritual objects, confirms the cave’s long‑term spiritual role. The continuous record provides a rare, continuous view of indigenous ceremonial practice across millennia, linking past and present cultural identity. These findings support efforts to protect the cave as a heritage site and to recognize the enduring cultural legacy of the Gunai‑Kurnai people.