Rock Art Research

The numerous published claims concerning the depiction in Australian rock art of megafaunal species or their tracks are examined. Such proposals have appeared for a century now and they have involved both petroglyphs and pictograms. Patterns in the consideration of the evidence presented in their support are analysed and compared with patterns of similar contentions in other parts of the world. The rationales underpinning these various claims are examined and an attempt is presented to explain their apparent causes.