Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00408:front:0:p197
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2024L00408
Segment Type: other
Provision Reference: 
Character Range: 627368–630399

(Anutech 1984:24).

       Although this model was considered to be incorrect by some researchers (Access Archaeology 1991:8) further comparative work by Navin and Officer (1991, 1992) tended to confirm the locational model proposed by Anutech. The majority of open artefact scatters, particularly larger sites, are situated adjacent to or in close proximity to creek flats or valley bottom contexts, frequently on low gradient basal slopes adjacent to streams.

       With the release of large areas of land for urban development in north Canberra several larger scale systematic archaeological surveys were undertaken to define the archaeological resource of the subject areas (eg Officer and Navin 1992; Kuskie 1992; Wood & Paton 1992). Numerous other archaeological assessments have been carried out for smaller land areas which were likely to be affected by specific proposed developments such as roads, golf courses, water storage facilities, pipelines etc.

       The closest archaeological investigation to the present study area is a survey of a proposed gas pipeline easement from the Federal Highway to Majura Parkway conducted by Saunders (1995). No sites were located during the course of the survey.

       Navin (1992) undertook a reconnaissance level archaeological survey carried out for a proposed release of land for urban infill purposes at North Watson, and heritage investigations for the duplication of a 10.7 km section of the Federal Highway in North Canberra (Navin, Officer and Legge 1995, 1996).

       In 1992 a reconnaissance level archaeological survey was carried out for a proposed release of land for urban infill purposes at North Watson. The area comprised approximately 200 ha of low gradient slopes and foothills on the western fall of Mount Majura. Spurs and drainage lines in the area were generally broad and poorly defined and there were no major drainage beds or permanent water sources in the area. Vegetation consisted of open woodland with isolated or relict scatters of mature

       Eucalypts situated within established pasture. Around 40% of the study area had undergone extensive landscape disturbance as a result of a variety of developments.

       The North Watson study area as a whole was considered to have low archaeological potential. This was based on the lack of permanent water, major drainage lines, and economic rock types, and the degree of recent landscape disturbance. Features of relative archaeological potential were defined as mature native trees, relatively undisturbed streamlines and comparatively flat topographic land units (particularly where close to water).

       In August 1995 a corridor selection study was undertaken which assessed two possible Federal Highway duplication alternatives (Navin, Officer and Legge 1995) and subsequently further detailed studies were undertaken for the EIS for the duplication (Navin, Officer and Legge 1996). Thus five Aboriginal sites and four isolated finds were located in the Federal Highway Duplication