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Mungo Man: The final journey home
After four decades of away from country, Australia's oldest human remains are finally home.
Published 17 January 2018 6:13pm
Updated 12 July 2018 10:48am
By Nakari Thorpe
Source: Living Black
Image: Crowds gather to witness the burial of 'Mungo Man' during a repatriation ceremony at Lake Mungo, New South Wales (AAP) (AAP)
Forty years in the nation's capital
The smell of burning gum leaves begin to fill the unusually warm Canberra morning air and the crowd begins to build in the small, industrial carpark on the outskirts of the capital city.
This is where our journey to take Australia's oldest human home begins.
It seems unbefitting for a man whose discovery rewrote Australian history. But this is the place where cherished artefacts are held in the National Museum of Australia.
The storage facility holds much of the museum's 200,000 objects, including political materials, an assortment of historical vehicles, and an extensive collection of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander items.
Source: NITV
And it's the place where the remains of Mungo Man were temporarily stored while Traditional Owners and government representatives figured out how to get him home.
After two years of deliberations, they finally made a decision - Mungo Man was heading home. But his journey back to his ancestral homelands began long before. 
It was 43 years ago, in 1974, when a young geologist, Jim Bowler, was exploring the arid banks of Lake Mungo, in the south-west of New South Wales, when he came across a human skeleton.
Source: NITV
"On the day we were blown away, but we didn't fully understand what we were dealing with," Jim remembers.
He and anthropologist Alan Thorne had uncovered the intact bones of a human male, arms folded across his chest - indicating an ancient ritual burial of a respected leader.
Believed to be around 50 years old at the time of his death, Mungo Man's remains along with those of a female called Mungo Lady, were taken to the Australian National University in Canberra. Here they discovered Mungo Man dated back 42,000 years - the oldest human remains ever found on the continent.
Photo courtesy of Jim Bowler Source: Jim Bowler
"It's taken me three decades to come to terms with the extraordinary detailed sophistication of those people 40,000 years ago. To put one's mind into the minds of the community who sat there and orchestrated that ritual burial is a long learning process," Jim says.
Mungo Man might have dramatically changed the world's view of human history but
Source: NITV
Indigenous archaeologist Dave Johnston says his removal to the ANU also created a major controversy.
"They brought the focus to the world that you need to consult with Aboriginal people, and taking away human remains is a big issue. I mean they're stealing, and they educated, very patiently over the years that you can't just do that," he said.
While Traditional Owners were deeply distressed that Mungo Man was moved, they took some satisfaction knowing his existence proved what they had been saying all along.
"Our old people knew, that that's why they tapped him on the shoulder and said, 'look, Jim, prove once and for all how long Aboriginal people have been here for,' and he did, he did," says Mutthi Mutthi Elder Mary Pappin.
Source: NITV
It seemed Mungo Man had done what he needed to do and over time the calls for his return grew louder. Finally, in 2015, the ANU agreed — he and 100 other Aboriginal Ancestors would return home with him.
Now, after two years at the storage facility, they're ready to go.
In an emotional farewell, the Traditional Owners were grateful to see this day.
"I'm glad we're taking our remains, [our] people home today. It's so good to see so many people here today, to say goodbye to them," says Ngiyampaa Elder Joan Slade.
Paakantji Elder Warren Clarke says it's been an endless struggle.
Source: NITV
"It's been a very emotional one for me and our Paakantji mob. We've worked closely with the Ngyiampaa mob and the Mutthi Mutthi mob on this, and we do have our disagreements, but coming together for something like this is very, very important to all of us," says Paakantji elder Warren Clarke.
Mungo Man's casket stands out from the rest. It's a custom-made, 8000-year-old red gum box, donated by Jim Bowler and his wife Joan.
They've become accustomed to the 40,000-year-old man.
"He's been a spirit I've lived and thought of for last 43 years and I told my grandkids I talk to him. They think I'm being a bit silly, but he's in a picture on my wall. I think of what he would say, the message he would like to say and he's telling white Australia, 'what have you done to my land, what have you done to my people?'" says Jim.
Mungo Man and the other ancestors are carefully placed into the back of a historic Aboriginal hearse that will carry them on their 800-kilometre journey back home. One by one they're loaded in.
Local Ngunnawal and Ngambri elder Matilda House bids farewell.
Source: NITV
"They have been in respectful country, and respectfully we sent them back home today to where they belong."
The Traditional Owners climb back onto their bus and begin their long-awaited journey. They leave the Capital, heading west toward Wiradjuri country.
Historic hearse brings Mungo Man home
It was in the early 1960s when my great-grandmother, Edna Brown (nee Clarke), witnessed an Aboriginal person being buried as a pauper in an unmarked grave. It was a common fate in the absence of money for many Aboriginal people.
From this moment, my nanny Edna would devote herself to ensure every Aboriginal person would be buried with dignity. She created an Aboriginal funeral fund in the inner-city Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy.
It was from here the Aboriginal hearse was brought, with the help of another Elder, Stewart Murray, to carry out my great-grandmother's crusade.
Photo courtesy of Museums Victoria Source: Museums Victoria
The 1976 Chrysler Valiant, with its doors proudly adorning the Aboriginal flag, has carried Aboriginal people to their final resting place for years. In the 1970s, it was purchased by the Aborigines Advancement League and took people home as far as Sydney, Adelaide and Tamworth before it was finished up.
For the next decade it was put on display at the Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre, but eventually, the exhibition changed and for the next 30 years, it sat idle at the museum's storage facility — until now.
The three Traditional Owner groups who make up the Willandra Lakes Aboriginal Advisory Group, requested the vehicle to carry Mungo Man and other ancestors on their final journey home.
Photo courtesy of Museums Victoria Source: Museums Victoria, Media Production
Photo courtesy of Museums Victoria Source: Museums Victoria
The hearse was lovingly-restored and returned to the road for the historic repatriation.
The hearse, brandishing new 'Mungo1' number plates, travelled the 800-kilometre journey from Canberra to the edges of the outback, and then to Lake Mungo. Along the three-day trek, members of the Willandra Lakes group took turns in driving the old hearse as it stoped in at different ceremonies along the way.
Source: NITV
Heading west toward Wiradjuri country
It's late afternoon and we reach the edges of the Riverina, dominated by the waters of the Murrumbidgee.
As we drive into Wiradjuri country, we reach the town of Wagga Wagga - the first stop on this historic journey.
Wiradjuri Elder Jocelyn Williams welcomes the old people to her country in a sombre ceremony, young and old gather to witness the ancestors make it through their country.
"Here on Wangan Wangan land you are safe," Aunty Jocelyn says.
As dusk falls, the Wagga community bid farewell. And after a night's rest and early morning polish, the hearse is ready for another day on the road.
On the northern edge of the Murrumbidgee, in the small town of Hay, the community is ready. The traffic is brought to a standstill in anticipation.
Source: NITV
It feels like the whole community has come to pay their respects.
The young boys of the Tirkandi Inaburra Dance Group welcome the ancestors and local Wiradjuri man Ray Woods opens in his language.
"I'm so proud and honoured to be able to speak our language and welcome our people, and other people here today in-language, because it's such a special occasion," he says.
After a special ceremony in the heart of the town, community members say farewell as the ancestors are quickly back on the road, edging close to their sacred country.
Source: NITV
Source: NITV
On the outskirts of Balranald, a convoy begins to form with a long Aboriginal flag leading the way.
As we reach this next ceremony, the striking feature of Mutthi Mutthi Elder Dave Edwards, covered in ochre, greets us.
"That's them, they are here with us now. We brought them with our own energy, with our breath," he says pointing to the sacred fire.
Source: NITV
A traditional welcome unfolds around the burning fire.
This historic moment is also felt by Indigenous people around the world, such as Mindahi Bastida, an invited guest and an expert in ritual ceremonies for his people in Mexico.
Source: NITV
"This is a big opportunity to pay respect to Aboriginals, and the Aboriginals here in Australia are very important to us, for [us] worldwide, because they represent the new dawn, they represent also the dignity of human beings," he says.
Dressed in his traditional Aztec designs and carrying a large shell used to call the spirits of his homelands, Mindahi leads to the crowd into a spiritual ceremony.
Two ancient cultures come together.
Source: NITV
Later in the day, the action moves to the town of Balranald, where Mutthi Mutthi Elder Alice Kelly is honoured. She began the fight for Mungo Man's return decades before.
Her daughter, Mary Pappin, is grateful to see her mother finally recognised.
Source: NITV
"She fought hard for recognition for her people as you heard, and you can read now on the park how hard it was for her to be known in her own little town where she was born. So I'm very happy to see most of the town's folk have come here and acknowledge that of her, and of course, of the Mutthi Mutthi people," she said.
The final service
Our final day on the road approaches. We're getting closer to the place where Mungo Man was found all those years ago.
The last stretch to Lake Mungo is testing, the road and the landscape are red and rocky.
After almost 200kms further into the deep corner of the state, we finally reach a crest in the middle of Lake Mungo National Park, where hundreds have gathered.
Mungo Man and the ancestors are now just moments away.
Source: NITV
A sense of relief lights the faces of the Elders as the precious cargo arrives.
As the hearse reaches the middle of the ceremony, young men unpack each casket and carefully place them around a sacred fire.
As the Elders tell of their long-fought campaign for this very moment, the weight of it all is not lost on the next generation.
Source: NITV
Source: NITV
Ngiyampaa men Damien and Dane Kennedy have been part of this journey since they were kids, as their grandparents Roy and Beryl lead the fight.
"There was a lot work from our Elders and our grandparents, and for them to be able to give us the next responsibility as time goes on, was an honour to us. So I think the whole journey was enlightening for us, very spiritual, and we're very, very proud that we're here today and we get to share this with everyone else," says Damien.
Before the ceremony concludes, Jim Bowler makes one last plea.
AAP Source: AAP
Source: NITV
"Here we are, 43 years after he emerged, and still nowhere dignified, properly dignified to put him," he says.
But to have these ancestors home was the Elders' first priority.
"I think today is a big healing day for all our mob sitting here today, because they know these people are back on country, back resting, you'll be able to rest. You'll be able to rest and the job has been done, and you'll be able to get on with your lives. We know our ancestors are watching us, we know they're walking with us everytime we come out here," says Mary Pappin.
Source: NITV
Song and dance to celebrate Mungo Man's return
The following night, hundreds gathered on the banks of the Murray River to further commemorate the return of Mungo Man.
This time with song and dance from First Nations people.
In the town of Mildura, locals and mob from all over have come to celebrate the historic repatriation.
Aboriginal dance groups from each corner of the country take part in the Return to Country concert, each representing points of the compass, or a star on the Southern Cross.
Source: NITV
Yolgnu dancers from the remote Galiwinku community on Elcho Island represented the North, the Tal-kin-jeri dancers from Murray Bridge in South Australia performed for Ngarrindjeri country, Nyoongar and Whadjak nations represented the West, and Yarrabah dancers in northern Queensland came from the East.
Local Mutthi Mutthi dancers represented the fifth star in the constellation.
Source: NITV
Ngarrindjeri Elder, Uncle Moogy Sumner, said it was important First Nations Peoples marked the occasion.
"Always bring your spirit, your culture with you. Last night I saw that, everyone coming together. The knowledge that we keep with us ... that’s what happened last night ... and there’s more to come,” he said.
Mawalan Marika, a Yolngu Elder and dance leader, said they travelled from Arnhem Land to pay their respects.
Source: NITV
"I came here as respect for this old man," he said.
The concert also featured a raft of performers, including legendary musician Archie Roach, Isaiah Firebrace and creative director Shane Howard.
"It's time for a new conversation, its time for a new story, its time for a new start in this country, and to heal the hurt," Mr Howard said.
It was a poignant moment for Mutthi Mutthi and Yorta Yorta performer Kutcha Edwards, a modern descendent of Mungo Man.
Source: NITV
"Mungo Man is my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather," he said.
"I thank old grandfather for teaching the world how long we as Aboriginal people have been here on this continent we now call Australia."
