Sex & Gender: An archaeological analysis of rock art of the northwest Kimberley

Abstract

The study of rock art throughout the world has recently taken a retrospective view of the theoretical approaches traditionally adopted in its analysis and reporting. This has been triggered principally by feminist arguments that much of the ethnographical and anthropological scholarship was largely male centric. Reviewing existing data generated by both male and female researchers revealed that a Eurocentric and androcentric reporting was endemic and this stimulated new approaches. The cry was for 'women to be placed back in the picture' and the pendulum swing was impressive. Feminist advocates had their day with 'gender' taking front of stage. This was a healthy reaction to its absence and has resulted in analysis of feminist issues been absorbed into recent mainstream archaeological research. However, it is now time for a more considered approach to be taken where the male, female and other are considered and are given equivalent attention.