Уилландра көлдері аймағы: Әлемдік мұра және тарихы

Lake in the state of New South Wales, Australia

The Willandra Lakes Region is a World Heritage Site in the Far West region of New South Wales, Australia. The Willandra Lakes Region is the traditional meeting place of the Muthi Muthi, Ngiyampaa and Barkinji Aboriginal tribes. The area was inscribed on the World Heritage List at the 5th Session of the World Heritage Committee in 1981. under the The region is also listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register.

Willandra Lakes has formed over the last 2 million years. The ancient shorelines are stratified into three major layers of sediments that were deposited at different stages in the lakes' history. The area is capable of yielding information relating to the evolution of climates and environments in south eastern Australia. It has importance in understanding the reversal of the Earth's magnetic field. The Willandra Lakes Region comprising 240,000 acres was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1981 for both outstanding cultural and natural universal values: as an outstanding example representing the major stages in the Earth's evolutionary history; as an outstanding example representing significant ongoing geological processes; and for bearing an exceptional testimony to a past civilization. Willandra Lakes was listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999 having satisfied the following criteria. The place is important in demonstrating the course, or pattern, of cultural or natural history in New South Wales. Willandra's archaeological record demonstrates continuous human occupation of the area for at least 40,000 years. It was part of the history of inland exploration (Burke and Wills expedition) and of the development of the pastoral industry in western New South Wales. The place is important in demonstrating aesthetic characteristics and/or a high degree of creative or technical achievement in New South Wales. The area contains a relict lake system whose sediments, geomorphology and soils contain an outstanding record of low altitude, non glaciated Pleistocene landscape. The area contains outstanding examples of lunettes including Chibnalwood Lunette, the largest clay lunette in the world. The place has a strong or special association with a particular community or cultural group in New South Wales for social, cultural or spiritual reasons. Living in the area provides the opportunity to experience the natural harshness and beauty through all seasons. The Willandra's traditionally affiliated Aboriginal people proudly identify themselves with this land. The Willandra's primary producer landholder families have links with the European settlement of the region. The remoteness of the area creates the neighbourly support and a sense of community, in times of need whilst at the same time the isolation promotes self sufficiency. The place has potential to yield information that will contribute to an understanding of the cultural or natural history of New South Wales. The region has a Pleistocene archaeological record of outstanding value for world pre history and is significant for understanding early cultural development in this region. The area is the site of discovery of the Mungo Geomagnetic Excursion, one of the most recent major changes of the earth's magnetic field. The area is capable of yielding information relating to the evolution of climates and environments in south eastern Australia. It has importance in understanding the reversal of the Earth's magnetic field. The place is important in demonstrating the principal characteristics of a class of cultural or natural places/environments in New South Wales. The area is representative of south east Australian lunettes or dry lake beds with wind blown dunes on their eastern margins and flat floors.