Tuesday, 11 February 2025

Ancient rock art under siege




By Helen Musa

Friends of Australian Rock Art are holding a symposium on Wednesday at the National Museum about endangered rock art at Murujuga, also known as the Burrup Peninsula, in the Pilbara region of WA.

Murujuga is home to more than million rock engravings, some of which are more than 50,000 years old, making them more than eight times the age of the Egyptian Pyramids and Stonehenge.

Since the 1980s, the Friends say, heavy industry has been developed there and scientists have observed that acidic emissions from Woodside’s Burrup Hub and other industrial facilities are affecting the priceless images.

Speakers about the Murujuga’s cultural heritage will be Murujuga traditional custodian Josie Alec, UWA Professor of World Rock Art Benjamin Smith, and Climate Safe Solutions researcher, Piers Verstegen.

First published at Canberra City News, February 11, 2025 



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