Diary: Wednesday 28 June

Wednesday 28 June 2000

Started early to participate in a tour around someof the rock art that is found scattered around Theda Station. Sheree, the station manageress took us around many of the easily accessible “Bradshaw” paintings. These are rock paintings found throughout the Kimberly and dated up to 60,000 years old. They were first discovered in 1891 by Joseph Bradshaw. Little is know about the paintings or the civilisation that painted them. The paintings are very fine and delicate. The early ones depict elaborately decorated figures and it is thought that this was when the climate was kind – probably rainforest – leaving plenty of leisure time. The later ones are dated around the time of the last ice age when the climate was much dryer and these are mainly hunting scenes, showing figures armed with barbed spears and boomerangs chasing roos and other creatures. Very interesting.

Spent the rest of the day writing up website and collating photos. Spoke to James in the evening. He and Michael are camped next to the King Edward River on the road to Mitchell Falls so we will drive down and meet up with them first thing tomorrow.