The story behind the 8,000 year old hearth stones

A collection of 8,000 year old hearth stones have been carefully preserved and are on display in the public forecourt of the Prince of Wales Hospital Acute Services Building at Randwick, celebrating and honouring the unique cultural heritage of the site. 

The historic hearth stones are one of two sets uncovered by archaeologists in the 1990s and during excavations for the new hospital in 2019, in one of the most significant excavations in NSW Health history. 

The stones symbolise welcoming, healing and shared knowledge, and have been installed at the entrance to the new Acute Services Building as part of a permanent curated display and gathering place for patients, staff and visitors. 

The return of the stones to site was made possible through the support of the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council and Gujaga Foundation, in partnership with Health Infrastructure, the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage, and South Eastern Sydney Local Health District.

Video credit: Magpie Creative Australia