The Beeswax Rock-Art of Northern Australia

P. Taçon

A detailed recording and dating program of Northern Territory rock-art motifs made of pressed beeswax was commenced in 1991 with the participation of four Aboriginal communities and colleagues Erle Nelson (SFU, Canada), George Chaloupka (Northern Territory Museum) and Christopher Chippindale (Cambridge University)

Erle Nelson's mobile lab.

Kenneth Mangiru and Erle Nelson sampling beeswax rock-art for radio-carbon dating.

This has resulted in a comprehensive publication in CD format. Equivalent to almost 1,300 pages as a printed book, it is one of the most detailed rock-art records yet produced. About 150 AMS radiocarbon determinations suggest most of the art was made less than 1,500 years ago but there are rare, well-protected examples up to 4,000 years of age. We summarised some of the results and implications at an international conference in 2000, as well as announcing the release of the CD ROM for sale, the proceeds of which are to be directed toward a university scholarship for Aboriginal students. This 'electronic book' was completed with colleagues in the Northern Territory, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is the first rock-art research monograph to be published in CD ROM format anywhere and the most comprehensive rock-art study of its kind.

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