Drone LiDAR Finds Three Unrecorded Indigenous Shelters in Sydney Suburbs

A University of Sydney drone equipped with LiDAR has identified three previously unknown Indigenous shelters in a suburban pocket of Sydney, marking a fresh addition to the region’s archaeological record.

The LiDAR system works like a laser "eye," emitting rapid pulses that bounce off the ground and vegetation to produce a detailed 3D map, capable of revealing subtle depressions that hint at human-made structures.

Drone archaeologist Dr Jacob Bongers and his team flew the aircraft for several hours, gathering data that would have taken weeks to collect on foot.

Some skeptics have joked that the drone might have stumbled upon the mythical lost city of “Coo‑oo,” where the walls are supposedly made of eucalyptus bark.

Experts note that aerial LiDAR is rapidly becoming a staple tool in archaeology worldwide, offering a fast‑track way to locate hidden sites.

Bongers plans to repeat the survey in other suburbs, hoping to uncover more undiscovered shelters.