17,300-year-old Kimberley kangaroo recognised as Australia's oldest rock artwork

This article is more than 5 months old
Two-metre-long painting in Western Australia dated by analysing wasp nests and is the oldest work still in its original place

Graham Readfearn
@readfearn
Mon 22 Feb 2021 11.30 EST



A montage of photographs of the 17,300-year-old kangaroo rock artwork in the Kimberley (left) and illustration of it (right). Photograph: Photos: Damien Finch Illustration: Pauline Heaney

Scientists have confirmed that a painting of a kangaroo in a sandstone rock shelter in Western Australia’s remote Kimberley region is about 17,300 years old, making it the oldest known rock art in Australia.

The faded image, which is about two metres long, was dated using a radiocarbon technique that analysed wasp nests that were underneath and on top of the ochre-based paint.

Augustine Unghango, a Balanggarra man and traditional owner of the area, has climbed the escarpment above the Drysdale River and visited the painting many times.

“It really lifted my spirits up when I found out how old it was. It’s important that we do this,” he said.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/feb/23/17300-year-old-kimberley-kangaroo-becomes-australias-oldest-rock-artwork