Rock Art Research

A controlled burn in a gully housing a large rockshelter in southern Arnhem Land permitted the observation of heat and smoke behaviour within the shelter and its inferred impact on rock art and other Aboriginal cultural heritage. It was found that, due to air currents created by the fire, that heat was unlikely to be a major agent in the deterioration of the rock art unless burning vegetation was in contact with or very close proximity to the art panel. Smoke contamination of the pigments was possible but considered to be minor at most. Similarly, other items of cultural heritage, including the floor deposits, are unlikely to be effected by bushfires unless they are in contact with burning vegetation (including tree roots).