Pilbara Dreaming: Rock Art, Water and Heritage Futures. This project will demonstrate the critical role that Pilbara rock art has in the peopling and maintenance of the arid zone of Australia, from 50

Description

Pilbara Dreaming: Rock Art, Water and Heritage Futures. This project will demonstrate the critical role that Pilbara rock art has in the peopling and maintenance of the arid zone of Australia, from 50,000 years ago to the present. The interconnectivity of creation stories, art and water provides a unique lens on intergenerational knowledge transmission and cultural connections. The Pilbara’s mineral wealth is crucial to Australia’s economy with mining already covering 55% of the region. Yet there is no heritage conservation strategy to protect this region’s cultural assets. This collaboration with Aboriginal Traditional Owners will reform policy and lead to improved conservation of heritage places of global significance. . Scheme: Australian Laureate Fellowships. Field: 4501 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture, Language and History. Lead: Prof Josephine McDonald