Post by Rock Art Australia

To celebrate 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we’re proud to share our support of the 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘱𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘨𝘰 𝘚𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘳𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘦𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵, which is documenting the Yinuma songline, a living network of stories, song, and kinship connections linking the East Arnhem mainland, Groote Eylandt’s stone country, and Angurrkwurrikba Lake on the east coast. Led by Anindilyakwa Clan researchers, the Anindilyakwa Land Council, and archaeologists from the The Australian National University, the project brings together community knowledge and archaeological methods to understand how these stories are expressed across the landscape, including in rock art. Early work has focused on mapping places, recording stories, and pilot surveys that have already identified more than 130 rock art sites. With support from Rock Art Australia, the next phase will extend across the full songline route through targeted surveys, small-scale excavations, and environmental analysis to deepen understanding of how people lived, moved, and shared cultural knowledge across this remarkable region over time. Image 1: Stingray motif, central plateau, Groote Eylandt. Image 2: Terrence Mamarika points out a stingray motif to archaeologist Stevie Skitmore at a rock shelter in Angwura valley, central Groote Eylandt. Image credit: Yantarrnga clan estate, photo by Stevie Skitmore