Towards a chronology of engraved rock art from the Central Australian arid zone

Abstract

"Great antiquity" been claimed for the engraved rock art assemblage found in arid regions across Australia but it was not until more recently that a chronological measure was assigned to the phrase. A range of indirect evidence has led to claims that engraved assemblages may date from as early as 30,000 years ago although little direct dating of the petroglyphs has been undertaken to support such assertions. Ethnographic accounts document Indigenous informants assigning the origin and antiquity of engraved rock art to the 'Alcheringa' (Dreaming or Creation Time) or remote past. In an attempt to clarify the timing of the origins of engraved rock art assemblages in central Australia, a dating project was undertaken by Dr Mike Smith, Dr Alan Watchman and myself.