Continuity and Change: Exploring stylistic transitions in the anthropomorphic figures of the northwest Kimberley rock art assemblage and the varying contexts of rock art production

Abstract

One of the largest concentrations of rock paintings in Australia is found in the rugged and remote Kimberley region in the northwest of the continent. A sequence of visually-distinctive figurative styles is likely to span periods of complex cultural change and major climatic events. However, the timing, nature and course of these changes are poorly understood. In order to redress these deficiencies, I investigated the relationships between continuity and change in the form and context of production of anthropomorphic figures in the rock art assemblage. Specifically, I identified the core characteristics of anthropomorphic figures in each of the established stylistic periods. I analysed the evidence cited by previous researchers to support notions of an abrupt discontinuity in the art assemblage between the Wararrajai Gwion and Painted Hand Periods. New chronological data was correlated with environmental evidence to establish the timing of cultural change and potential association of events with the Last Glacial Maximum. Factors that contributed to, or drove change were identified in order to develop an understanding of the social and economic lifeways in the northwest Kimberley through time.