Rock Art Research

The observation of rock art shelters prior to and following bushfires and Fuel Reduction Burning has shown that generally there is little immediate deleterious impact on rock art and rock shelters. However, as with coal mining subsidence, when the impact is adverse it can be dramatic and catastrophic. It was apparent that there is accelerated soil erosion following fires, which can affect water flow patterns within rock shelters, both over the art and across the floor deposits. Case studies from the Grampians in western Victoria, and examples from other areas of Australia, are presented to support the conclusion.