THE LIMITS OF CULTURAL CONSTRUCTIONISM: THE CASE OF CORONATION HILL

The matters addressed in this article are of current interest. Although the machinery for protecting Aboriginal sacred sites in the Northern Territory has been operative for some thirteen years, the Coronation Hill case has brought into focus some critical anthropological issues. Prolonged controversy over the Coronation Hill matter was referred to a federal body of inquiry, the Resource Assessment Commission, and a final report was recently submitted to government. Dr. Merlan examines positions taken in reports to the Commission and comments on the final report concerning notions of Aboriginal tradition. Dr. Merlan was co-author of one of the reports to the Commission on Aboriginal issues. One critic of this report, Dr. Ron Brunton, has published three pamphlets through the privately funded Institute of Public Affairs. Dr. Merlan sought to publish a reply through the same outlet but was told the Institute had no provision for this. I have persuaded Dr. Merlan to publish the following paper in Oceania in view of the importance of the issues it raises for anthropology in Australia and the Fourth World My particular thanks to the reviewer who responded at very short notice. Jeremy Beckett Editor