Via the the Sydney Morning Herald:
In a find that has stunned archaeologists and anthropologists, a vast wall of about 1500 paintings chronicles the history of Aboriginal contact with outsiders, from Macassan prows and European sailing ships to 19th-century steamships and a World War II battleship.
Alongside exquisite rock art more than 15,000 years old are paintings that capture some of the 19th and 20th centuries’ most important technological innovations – a biplane, bicycle, car and rifle – as well as portraits of church ministers, sea captains and traders.
And most importantly:
“This rock art dismantles the popular identity of Australia being a nation first visited by the British,” said Dr Alistair Paterson, of the University of Western Australia, also on the expedition. “It goes against the idea of the Bicentennial and convicts.”
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