A5103187350- Archaeology and Rock Art Studies
- Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology
- Archaeology and ancient environmental studies
- 3D Surveying and Cultural Heritage
- Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies
- Cultural Heritage Management and Preservation
- Museums and Cultural Heritage
- Archaeological Research and Protection
- Image Processing and 3D Reconstruction
- Geographies of human-animal interactions
- Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
2017-2023
Australian National University
2016-2022
State Library of New South Wales
2022
In this paper, a previously undescribed rock art style consisting of large human figures and animals with stroke-line infill is introduced. These depictions have been named Maliwawa Figures. They are primarily found in northwest Arnhem Land to date recorded at 87 sites from Awunbarna (Mount Borradaile area) the Namunidjbuk clan state Wellington Range. There solitary others arranged compositions or scenes. We describe features style, its distribution, subject matter probable age. The results...
In Europe and Africa, fine grained use wear residue analyses of various organic bead technologies have provided remarkable information about specialist artisans their affiliate communities. Ethnographic research suggests that personal ornaments represent one the best ways to explore past human interactions ethno-linguistic diversity. The study material culture featured in rock art is now well established Australia, but few detailed concentrated on recovered from archaeological record. Fewer...
This paper presents findings from a recent study of the Anbangbang Gallery in Burrungkuy (Nourlangie) site complex Kakadu National Park, Australia. Using new technologies alongside established methods for rock art documentation, we discuss complexity and uniqueness as an icon Australian art. We have taken comprehensive approach to our investigations, deliberately linking scientific analysis with other archaeological anthropological research methods. In particular, using evidence detailed...
Early depictions of anthropomorphs in rock art provide unique insights into life during the deep past. This includes human engagements with environment, socio-cultural practices, gender and uses material culture. In Australia, Dynamic Figure paintings Arnhem Land are recognized as earliest style region where humans explicitly depicted. Important questions, such nature significance body adornment society, can be explored, given detailed figurative sheer number scenes this paper, we make a...
Abstract Two similar watercraft depicted in rock art at Awunbarna, Arnhem Land, Australia, are unlike the Macassan prahus and Western craft shown other contact sites northern but sufficiently detailed to offer evidence for identification. Both appear display triangular flags, pennants, prow adornments indicating martial status. By comparing these two depictions with historically recorded from Island Southeast Asia, their probable origin is have been eastern Maluku Tenggara Indonesia. These...
This paper addresses the motivations for producing rare object stencils found in rock art of western Arnhem Land. We present evidence 84 recorded as part Mirarr Gunwarddebim project Land, northern Australia. Ranging from boomerangs to dilly bags, armlets and spearthrowers, this assemblage suggests something other than a common or ongoing culture practice stencilling objects used everyday life. Instead, we suggest that these represent an entirely different function through process...
The analysis of style is a widespread method for describing classes rock art and plays significant role in forming chronology Arnhem Land assemblages. A longstanding issue identified has been the ill-defined nature 'Large Naturalistic Style' (LNS) as originally proposed by researcher George Chaloupka. We have re-examined distribution, frequency stylistic design attributes 163 early naturalistic macropod paintings from 88 sites across region utilising predominately legacy records. This...
Abstract This paper explores the first research phase of AIATSIS Return Cultural Heritage Project (2018–2020); where scoped, researched and repatriated significant cultural heritage material from overseas collecting institutions to Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander communities in Australia. In initial phase, authors undertook a survey international scope their holdings culture willingness repatriate objects communities. The results this demonstrate readiness share collection records with...
ABSTRACTThis paper explores the challenges of repatriating poorly documented Aboriginal sacred religious objects from Central Australia. The authors present an overview historical endeavours to repatriate these Australian domestic museums and progress recent returns international collections. Detailed documentation, including reference object’s specific relationship places, people or ancestral stories is critical ensuring that rightful contemporary can assume care responsibility for any...