Rock Art Research

The recognition of the occurrence of Pleistocene rock art in Australia is reviewed in the context of historical developments as well as recent observations. The frequency of misinterpretations of reported data and their effects are discussed, with particular emphasis on the traditional heartland of the ‘Panaramitee style’, in NE South Australia. Despite the continuing paucity of credibly dated examples, it is apparent that most rock art of the earliest phase has survived as petroglyphs rather than pictograms, which is consistent with the evidence from the rest of the world. An attempt is made to characterise Australian petroglyphs that are probably of the Pleistocene, and to estimate their potential number. In comparing them with the Pleistocene rock art of other continents their close similarity with traditions elsewhere belonging to Mode 3 lithic industries is noted.