The History and Archaeology of Ooldea Soak and Mission

Ooldea Soak is located on the southern fringe of the Great Victoria Desert, about 250 km northwest of Ceduna, South Australia. As one of the few permanent sources of freshwater in the region, it was an important drought refuge for desert Aborigines in prehistoric times and an important meeting place and ceremonial trade centre. In the late 19th century Ooldea served as a depot for a number of explorers, including Giles, Tietkins and Maurice. After 191 7 the Soak became an important watering point on the Trans-Australian Railway. The construction of the railway brought many of the desert Aborigines into contact with whites for the first time and many of the desert people eventually left their homelands and sought refuge at Ooldea. Daisy Bates came to Ooldea in 191 9 and camped near the siding, 6 km south of the Soak. She remained there for 15 years, providing food and medical treatment to the Aborigines. A United Aborigines Mission operated at the Soak from 1933 until its closure in 1952, when the Aborigines were transferred to Yalata Reserve near the coast. The Ooldea area is rich in Aboriginal and European archaeological remains. Preliminary field surveys and recording at Ooldea Soak and Mission and Bates' campsite were conducted in 1988 by ANUTech Pty Ltd, as part of a study of the history and archaeology of the Ooldea area for the Aboriginal Heritage Branch, Department of Environment and Planning, South Australia (Gara et al. 1988). The archaeology of Bates' Ooldea campsite is described elsewhere (Colley et al. 1989: this volume). This paper outlines results of a preliminary archaeological survey at Ooldea Soak and Mission and presents a summary of the ethnography and history of the area.