Uluru and Kata Tjuta

Ayers Rock is another name for Uluru. Let me explain why it has two names.

In 1873, the explorer William Gosse became the first non-Aboriginal person to see Uluru. He named it Ayers Rock after Sir Henry Ayers, the Chief Secretary of South Australia at the time. Bforeththe name of the national park was Ayers Rock-Mount Olga National Park and was then changed to Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. The change was put in place to show respect to the Anangu people and, specifically, to acknowledge their ownership of the land.

William Christie Gosse Biography:

Born in 1842 Hoddesdon, England

Died in 1881 Adelaide

In 1873 he was chosen by George Goyder to lead a major government expedition to map a route from the newly completed Overland Telegraph Line at Alice Springs to Perth.With camels, horses and wagon, the party set out from the Alice Springs telegraph station on 23rd April 1873. Almost three months later, on the 19th July, Gosse made a momentous discovery, becoming the first European to set eyes on Uluru.

Sir Henry Ayers Biography:

Born in 1821Portsmouth,United Kingdom

Died in 1897 Adelaide

On 9 March 1857 Ayers entered the first Legislative Council under responsible government in South Australia, the youngest member elected.

How was Uluru and Kata Tjuta Formed:

Around 400-500 million years ago, the whole area became covered in sea. Sand and mud fell to the bottom and covered the seabed, including these fans.The weight of the new seabed turned the fans into rock. The sandy fan became sandstone (Uluru) while the rocky fan became conglomerate rock (Kata Tjuta).

The Importance of Uluru to Aboriginal People

Uluru is more than just a rock, it is a living cultural landscape that of which is considered sacred to the Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. The spirits of the ancestral beings continue to reside in these sacred places making the land a deeply important part of Aboriginal cultural identity. Aboriginal people have called the area home for at least 30,000 years. Archaeological evidence has been found suggesting that Aboriginal people have inhabited the area around Uluru for over 30,000 years. You can view rock art on a walk around the base of Uluru, including paintings that date back 5,000 years.

The Wildlife:

Uluru is home to a surprising amount of plants and wildlife. Uluru and the surrounding area hosts over 400 plants species, many with traditional uses in Anangu culture as food, medicine and tools. Many animals also call the area home including 21 species of mammals such as dingoes, red kangaroos and the spinifex hopping mouse.