Market Garden Site on Bampu Pool, Harding River

Statement of Significance

This site is significant as the sole reminder of market gardening in the Shire, and perhaps the Northwest. The clear and rare associations with Asian material culture and presumably Asian
workers provides a material reminder of the important activities of the Asian population in the Northwest, now better known for Broome than for these earlier years of non-Aboriginal colonisation.

Physical Description

The site is located on a raised surface adjacent to a large water pool in the Harding River. It is on the old track between Andover and Old Woodbrook Station. The remains are located on either side of a dirt track that cuts through the site before crossing the riverbed at a natural ford. The remains include two structures, as well as a surface scatter of archaeological material, much of which presumably relates to the market garden. One structure is a single room building, with thick stone walls standing at heights ranging between 0. 30m to 1m. There is a single entrance. The second structure has several rooms, was constructed of metal with a stone footing, presumably wooden framed. The main concentration of Asian ceramic vessel remains is at this building. While fragmentary, they are derived from large stoneware vessels with an internal slip common to Asian sites at Cossack. Other material remains include remnants of structural materials and occupation.

History

Market gardens in the Pilbara would have served an important role, as suggested by the account in The West Australian of a market garden in 1886 (see excerpt below) on Mears and Wilkinson’s station. It is conjectured that the market garden referred to in this article is the site at Bampu Pool.

Archaeology

The archaeological record of market gardens is relatively better known for eastern states than for the Pilbara, where market garden sites are rare and understudied. The archaeology at this site is highly disturbed and faces continued pressure from the occasional through traffic and visitors, as it is located close to the road. The workings of the market garden in terms of area of land farmed, and the nature of the provision of water, may possibly be determined through future archaeological research. Importantly, unlike other colonial sites in the immediate area there is very little evidence for Aboriginal presence at the market garden.

Integrity/Authenticity

The site is a ruin with remains of two structures.

Condition

Poor - Ruin

Creation Date

Publish place record online (inHerit):

Last Update

Disclaimer

This information is provided voluntarily as a public service. The information provided is made available in good faith and is derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate. However, the information is provided solely on the basis that readers will be responsible for making their own assessment of the matters discussed herein and are advised to verify all relevant representations, statements and information.