Maritime Rock Art: exploring depictions of sea craft from across Australia

A symposium presented by the Canberra Archaeological Society and the Australasian Society for Historical Archaeology for the 2018 Canberra and Region Heritage Festival.

A series of fascinating and illustrated talks by researchers about the ships, boats and sea craft Indigenous artists painted across Australia. This symposium will present research about the spectacular maritime rock art of Australia - where it’s painted, how it’s painted and how these depictions can inform us about the complex relationships and experiences these Indigenous artists had with the people of the ships they painted.

The symposium will begin with an introductory paper by Dr Michael Pearson AO exploring how archaeologists identify painted ships which will be followed by case studies papers: two from the Kimberley by Prof. Sue O'Connor (ANU) & Assoc. Prof. Jane Balme (UWA) and by Prof. June Ross (UNE) & Dr Meg Travers (UNE); one from Arnhem Land by Dr Tristen Jones (ANU), Dr Daryl Wesley (Flinders) & Dr Mirani Lister (ANU); and one from far north Queensland by Dr Duncan Wright (ANU). This symposium will conclude with a Q&A panel.

This is a free event and we encourage everyone who wants to learn about maritime rock art to attend.

Bookings essential
Visions Theatre

Photo Credit: Tristen Jones. Old Man's Hand Site near Red Lily Lagoon, Manilakarr Clan Estate, western Arnhem Land.