Grindstones

Grindstones used to grind seed into flour are commonly called millstones (lower stone) and mullers (hand-held upper stone). Within each tribal group there was an Aboriginal language name for each of these tools. The seed flour that was produced using this technique was either mixed with water and eaten as a paste or dough or cooked in the coals of a campfire into seed cakes or damper loaves.

E.49213 and M.72 A millstone (40 cm long) made from sandstone and a muller made from a river cobble, Western New South Wales. Acquired 1997. Photo: S Humphreys.

TAB.65 and M.85 Millstone (45 cm long) and muller made from sandstone, Innamincka, South Australia. Acquired 1997. Photo: S Humphreys.