Aboriginal rock art is part of a tradition of painting and engraving
that stretches back thousands of years. Some of the oldest surviving
examples so far found are the rock engravings in the Pilbara
in Western Australia and in the Olary region of South Australia
which may be as much as 40 000 years old. For more information
about the age of Aboriginal rock art, see How
old is Australia's rock art?
Engraved crocodlie
head from Olary region of South Australia
Some Aboriginal engravings and paintings are so old that we cannot
know who made them, why they were made, or what their real meaning
might be. We can only guess, based on knowledge of Aboriginal life
past and present, the stories and legends of Aboriginal people and,
maybe, what the pictures look like to present-day eyes. Other rock
paintings, however, are relatively recent and are part of living tradition.
They are still very important to people who know and respect their
meanings. A few are even repainted by men and women who have the traditional
right to do so.
In places such as Arnhem Land, Northern Territory, and Central Australia
the symbols and motifs painted on rock also appear in other forms
of expression such as painting on bark or canvas, reflecting a continuing
tradition of great vigour. Although all Aboriginal people shared a
similar way of life and similar religious beliefs, they belonged to
separate groups that had their own languages, country, legends, histories
and ceremonies. So it is not surprising that there is a wide variety
of styles and subject matter in the rock art found throughout the
continent.
