History Uluru

petroglyphs on uluru



aerial view of uluru

archaeological findings east , west indicate humans settled in area more 10,000 years ago. europeans arrived in australian western desert in 1870s. uluru , kata tjuta first mapped europeans in 1872 during expeditionary period made possible construction of australian overland telegraph line. in separate expeditions, ernest giles , william gosse first european explorers area.

while exploring area in 1872, giles sighted kata tjuta location near kings canyon , called mount olga, while following year gosse observed uluru , named ayers rock, in honour of chief secretary of south australia, sir henry ayers. further explorations followed aim of establishing possibilities of area pastoralism. in late 19th century, pastoralists attempted establish in areas adjoining southwestern/petermann reserve , interaction between aṉangu , white people became more frequent , more violent. due effects of grazing , drought, bush food stores became depleted. competition these resources created conflict between 2 groups, resulting in more frequent police patrols. later, during depression in 1930s, aṉangu became involved in dingo scalping doggers introduced aṉangu european foods , ways.

between 1918 , 1921, large adjoining areas of south australia, western australia, , northern territory declared aboriginal reserves, sanctuaries nomadic people had virtually no contact european settlers. in 1920, part of uluṟu–kata tjuṯa national park declared aboriginal reserve (commonly known south-western or petermann reserve) australian government under aboriginals ordinance.

the first tourists arrived in uluru area in 1936. beginning in 1940s, permanent european settlement of area reasons of aboriginal welfare policy , promote tourism of uluru. increased tourism prompted formation of first vehicular tracks in 1948 , tour bus services began in 1950s. in 1958, area become uluṟu–kata tjuṯa national park excised petermann reserve; placed under management of northern territory reserves board , named ayers rock–mount olga national park. first ranger bill harney, well-recognised central australian figure. 1959, first motel leases had been granted , eddie connellan had constructed airstrip close northern side of uluru.

on 26 october 1985, australian government returned ownership of uluru local pitjantjatjara aborigines, 1 of conditions being aṉangu lease national parks , wildlife agency 99 years , jointly managed. agreement made between community , prime minister bob hawke climb top tourists stopped later broken. aboriginal community of mutitjulu, population of approximately 300, located near eastern end of uluru. uluru 17 km (11 mi) road tourist town of yulara, population 3,000, situated outside national park.

on 8 october 2009, talinguru nyakuntjaku viewing area opened public visitation. a$21 million project 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) on east side of uluru involved design , construction supervision aṉangu traditional owners, 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) of roads , 1.6 kilometres (1 mi) of walking trails being built area.