Message From Mungo
Lake Mungo is an ancient Pleistocene lake-bed in south-western New South Wales, and is one of the world's richest archaeological sites. MESSAGE FROM MUNGO focuses on the interface over the last 40 years between the scientists on one hand, and, on the other, the Indigenous communities who identify with the land and with the human remains revealed at the site. This interface has often been deeply troubled and contentious, but within the conflict and its gradual resolution lies a moving story of the progressive empowerment of the traditional custodians of the area.
WINNER - United Nations Association of Australia Media Awards 2014 - Promotion of Indigenous Recognition
"Repatriation is one of the most important social issues of our times for Indigenous communities around the world. Yet, repatriation is too often turned into easy polemics and false caricatures. This beautifully crafted film captures the nuances, complexities, and vital revelations of a real case that transformed an Indigenous community as much as a scientific discipline. I cannot recommend it highly enough." - Chip Colwell, PhD, curator of anthropology, Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
"This is a lovely film, subtle and engaging. Neither patronising nor judgmental, and avoiding cliche and sentimentality, it recounts Lake Mungo's ancient past and contested present through the interwoven stories of five sets of witnesses: the landscape itself, its traditional custodians, academic archaeologists, pastoralists, government parks and heritage officers." - Prof Jill Matthews, Humanities Research Centre, Australian National University
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Message From Mungo is a new history not previously told on film or in print. It explores the gradual Indigenous control over one of the world’s richest archaeological sites, in the far west of New South Wales in Australia. The film focuses on the interface between the scientists on ...Read more
Message From Mungo is a new history not previously told on film or in print. It explores the gradual Indigenous control over one of the world’s richest archaeological sites, in the far west of New South Wales in Australia. The film focuses on the interface between the scientists on one hand, and, on the other, the Indigenous communities who identify with the land and with the human remains revealed at the site. This interface has often been deeply troubled and contentious, but within the conflict and its gradual resolution lies a moving story of the progressive empowerment of the Indigenous custodians of the area. It is also an in-depth story of the repatriation of human remains, and a study of archaeological ethics. Although Australian in its setting, it is a story of universal relevance.
Read lessit showed an honest cultural clash- the Aboriginal community versus the white Australian community. The resolution was long, with mis-understandings...but happened. A lesson for us all.