via Australian Archaeology, 30 Sep 2020: A new paper describes a previously unreported style of rock art in Arnhem Land, in the Northern Territories of Australia, estimated between 6,000 and 9,400 years ago.
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 and to date have been recorded at 87 sites from Awunbarna (Mount Borradaile area) to the Namunidjbuk clan state of the Wellington Range. There are solitary figures and others arranged in compositions or scenes. We describe the features of this style, its distribution, subject matter and probable age. The results of a detailed analysis of all sites are discussed and a new, refined Arnhem Land rock art chronology is presented. It is concluded that Maliwawa Figures are most likely to date between 6,000 to 9,400 years of age and to be contemporaneous with Northern Running Figures and Yam Figures found at sites to the south.
Source: Maliwawa figures—a previously undescribed Arnhem L and rock art style
See also:
- Arnhem Land Maliwawa rock art opens window to past | Eureka Alerts, 30 Sep 2020
- Introducing the Maliwawa Figures: a previously undescribed rock art style found in Western Arnhem Land | The Conversation, 01 October 2020
- Breathtaking Discovery of Australian Cave Art Shows Nature And Humans in Harmony | Science Alert, 02 October 2020
- Newfound Australian Cave Art Depicts Man’s Harmonious Relationship With Nature | Republic World, 04 October 2020
