How old is X-ray art? Minimum age determinations for early X-ray rock art from the ‘Red Lily’ (Wulk) Lagoon rock art precinct, western Arnhem Land

In 2011, we began researching the subsurface archaeology, geomorphology and rock art ofDalakngalarr 1, a moderately sized rock shelter on top of the central-western Arnhem Landplateau in Jawoyn Country. Here, four lines of evidence give relative or absolute ages for rockart:1. Archaeological excavations adjacent to a boulder that contains a painting of a red macropodreveal when that boulder attained its present position, so the red macropod must have beenpainted sometime afterwards.2. Paintings of axe/hoes with metal heads indicate that they were painted during the Europeancontact period. A nearby group of X-ray images are painted in comparable pigments,suggesting that they are contemporaneous with the axe/hoes.3. Geomorphological evidence suggests that parts of the site’s ceiling collapsed at datable timesin the past, indicating that the art on that roof must post-date the roof collapse.4. Direct accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) radiocarbon dates on beeswax art.

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A Minimum Age For Early Depictions Of Southeast Asian Praus in the Rock Art of Arnhem Land, Northern Territory

Australian Archaeology ◽

10.1080/03122417.2010.11689379 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 71 (1) ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Paul S.C. Taçon ◽

Sally K. May ◽

Stewart J. Fallon ◽

Meg Travers ◽

Daryl Wesley ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rock Art ◽

Southeast Asian ◽

Northern Territory ◽

Arnhem Land ◽

Minimum Age

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Bodies Revealed

The Oxford Handbook of the Archaeology and Anthropology of Rock Art ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190607357.013.7 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Luke Taylor

Keyword(s):

Rock Art ◽

Early Research ◽

Northern Australia ◽

X Ray ◽

The World ◽

Arnhem Land ◽

Contemporary Artists

This chapter examines X-ray art in western Arnhem Land in northern Australia, considering how relatively contemporary artists used it to enrich the meaning of their work. After discussing early research on the meanings of X-ray and developing interpretations of art of the ancestors, the chapter explores the use of X-ray representation in rock art in western Arnhem Land, then analyzes the use of art in ceremony, focusing on Mardayin and Lorrkon, as well as the production of bark paintings made for sale through commercial outlets. It shows that understanding X-ray imagery helps to create intellectual connections between many areas of experience of the world. The chapter looks at the first creators, Yingarna and Ngalyod the rainbow serpents, and their role in promoting creative uses of X-ray infill and concludes that art helps initiates understand the powers of Djang not only as corporeal entities but also in more metaphysical terms.

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Oldest cave art found in Sulawesi

Science Advances ◽

10.1126/sciadv.abd4648 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (3) ◽

pp. eabd4648

Author(s):

Adam Brumm ◽

Adhi Agus Oktaviana ◽

Basran Burhan ◽

Budianto Hakim ◽

Rustan Lebe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rock Art ◽

Karst Area ◽

Uranium Series ◽

Island Southeast Asia ◽

South Sulawesi ◽

Figurative Painting ◽

Uranium Series Dating ◽

Cave Paintings ◽

Minimum Age ◽

Cave Art

Indonesia harbors some of the oldest known surviving cave art. Previously, the earliest dated rock art from this region was a figurative painting of a Sulawesi warty pig (Sus celebensis). This image from Leang Bulu’ Sipong 4 in the limestone karsts of Maros-Pangkep, South Sulawesi, was created at least 43,900 years ago (43.9 ka) based on Uranium-series dating. Here, we report the Uranium-series dating of two figurative cave paintings of Sulawesi warty pigs recently discovered in the same karst area. The oldest, with a minimum age of 45.5 ka, is from Leang Tedongnge. The second image, from Leang Balangajia 1, dates to at least 32 ka. To our knowledge, the animal painting from Leang Tedongnge is the earliest known representational work of art in the world. There is no reason to suppose, however, that this early rock art is a unique example in Island Southeast Asia or the wider region.

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