History Disappearing: The Rapid Loss of Australian Contact Period Rock Art

Taçon, Paul S.C.; May, Sally K.; Wesley, Daryl; Jalandoni, Andrea; Tsang, Roxanne; Mangiru, Kenneth

doi:10.1080/00934690.2020.1869470

Cited by 8 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 25 publications

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“…This would also allow us to propose a first robust set of conservation measures and question the long‐term preservation of this fragile rock‐art (see Taçon et al . 2021). Furthermore, the discovery of the Mauprat panels point to the probable existence of other related rock‐art sites in the karst outcrops of the northern tip of Grande Terre.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Melanesian Rock‐Art Style: Figurative Engravings at Roche Mauprat, Arama Chiefdom, New Caledonia

Sand

Baret²,

Bolé³

et al. 2021

Archaeology in Oceania

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The paper presents the initial study of a unique rock‐art site discovered at the northern tip of the Mainland (Grande Terre) of New Caledonia. On the walls of a cliff‐face at the foot of a karst outcrop near Roche Mauprat, people have carved successive layers of geometric and figurative motifs. The fine, detailed engraving style of some human figures is unlike anything identified to date in the rock‐art of New Caledonia, where petroglyph anthropomorphic motifs are very rare. We present the main themes that have been recorded, including geometrics, groups of dancing figures and sets of traditional houses surrounded by trees. Only one European figure was identified, indicating that the main engraving period was probably pre‐contact and pre‐colonial. The paper discusses the relation of this new rock‐art style to other art forms, and especially the well‐studied Kanak engraved bamboo tradition that flourished during the second half of the nineteenth century in New Caledonia.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A New Melanesian Rock‐Art Style: Figurative Engravings at Roche Mauprat, Arama Chiefdom, New Caledonia

Sand

Baret²,

Bolé³

et al. 2021

Archaeology in Oceania

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Geoheritage and Cultural Heritage of the Central Sahara: Conservation Threats and Opportunities

Knight,

Merlo

2023

World Geomorphological Landscapes

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Graffiti, Vandalism and Destruction: Preserving Rock Art in a Globalized World

Taçon

2024

Deep-Time Images in the Age of Globalization

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In our globalized world access to rock art sites is unprecedented. But despite awareness campaigns, education about the universal value of rock art, global media attention and the efforts of those who manage rock art sites, purposeful damage to rock art imagery and the landscapes it is a part of continues at an alarming rate. There are many reasons for this, including ignorance, indifference, iconoclasm, racism, political motivations, and economic priorities. It also has been observed that ‘marks attract marks’ so for some people there is a compulsion to leave one’s own mark at rock art sites because previous people have done so. Indeed, new graffiti at rock art sites, unless quickly removed, can soon lead to a growing number of incidents. To further complicate things, Indigenous interactions with rock art sites can sometimes lead to new mark making construed by others as a form of vandalism. After summarizing why rock art is important in today’s globalized digital world, the history of purposeful damage to rock art sites is briefly reviewed before recent case studies from Australia and elsewhere are discussed. New strategies for preventing graffiti and vandalism at rock art sites, are then outlined. It is concluded that our global rock art heritage needs to be valued as a part of living culture rather than archaeological artefact in order to best conserve it for future generations.

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History Disappearing: The Rapid Loss of Australian Contact Period Rock Art

Cited by 8 publications

References 25 publications

A New Melanesian Rock‐Art Style: Figurative Engravings at Roche Mauprat, Arama Chiefdom, New Caledonia

A New Melanesian Rock‐Art Style: Figurative Engravings at Roche Mauprat, Arama Chiefdom, New Caledonia

Geoheritage and Cultural Heritage of the Central Sahara: Conservation Threats and Opportunities

Graffiti, Vandalism and Destruction: Preserving Rock Art in a Globalized World

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