Mt Moorosi's Past and Present: Interpreting San

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Mt Moorosi's Past and Present: Interpreting San MT MOOROSI’S PAST AND PRESENT: INTERPRETING SAN ROCK ART AT MTM 1 SITE IN THE QUTHING DISTRICT OF LESOTHO Sello Mokhanya Student number: 0416353R A research report submitted to the Department of Archaeology in the Faculty of Science University of the Witwatersrand in partial fulfilment of a Master of Science Degree in Archaeology Johannesburg September 2008 DECLARATION I declare that this research report is my own unaided work. Where I have used other peoples’ ideas or quoted from their work, I have given them due credit by citing them. It is being submitted for the degree of Master of Science in the Department of Archaeology in the Faculty of Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. It has not been submitted before for any examination or degree in any other University. ____________________________ Sello Mokhanya 30 September 2008 i ABSTRACT The most significant challenge facing rock art research in Lesotho is to provide meaning to San rock paintings that abound in the country. In the past rock art researchers in Lesotho appear to have focused on site identification and documentation. While there are many sites that needed to be interpreted, this challenge was made more difficult by the Euro-centric approach of many researchers. In the absence of reliable interpretive theories, the challenge of finding meaning in San rock paintings remains a forlorn hope. Drawing on San ethnography and neuropsychological research, approaches that have been demonstrated as useful interpretive tools in southern Africa, I take up this challenge of interpreting a San rock art site from Lesotho. While concerned with one site known as MTM 1 in south-eastern Lesotho, in the Quthing District, I use an ethnographic approach and neuropsychological research as tools for understanding paintings at MTM 1. In using these two approaches to interpret rock paintings, it becomes evident that San rock art in this region can best be understood through the use of these approaches. This work, then contributes to the few efforts by previous researchers to interpret rock paintings in Lesotho. ii In loving memory of my late grandmother, M.A.M iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Many people have contributed in various ways their tremendous support in the development of this project. I am especially indebted to my supervisor, Dr Geoffrey Blundell, without whose expert guidance and encouragement, this project would remain a dream. Particular mention should be made to my sponsor, Maloti Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (MDTP), especially the Project Coordinator, Mr Chaba Mokuku, and his staff members for their valuable support. Mr Taole Tesele gave me directions to the site during my first site visit. Mr Haward Memane generously accommodated me during the freezing 2005 winter in Quthing. I owe a great debt of thanks to the University of the Witwatersrand’s RARI staff and post-graduate students: Catherine Namono, Leslie Zubieta and Lara Mallen for their valuable comments especially regarding my proposal. Lara Mallen also introduced me to Prof. Graham Alexander, a herpetology specialist at the school of Animal, Plant & Environmental Sciences. I sincerely thank Prof. Alexander for the useful discussion we had about snakes and he, in turn, introduced me to Prof. Marcus Byrne. A special thank you is owed to Prof. Byrne for our discussion on arthropods. Liza Parker, Azizo Fonseca (kindly printed MTM 1 foldout for me), Thembi Russell and Gealward Kaungxa were always were willing to offer assistance. Catherine Namono and Leslie Zubieta went out of their way to assist me with some computer applications and the final layout. I am greatly indebted to Prof. Stefan Grab who introduced me to Mrs Jeannette Menasce (a professional editor) who has worked tirelessly to edit and correct my dissertation. Haesise. My sincere gratitude goes to Prof. David Ambrose and his wife in Roma for the insightful discussions that we had and several archaeology papers that they put at my disposal. iv Mr Wigbert Vogeley generously drove me to Tsatsane Valley and introduced me to Chief Jobo Letsie and Mr Telang Sekotlo (the local tour guide). I am especially thankful to you all. Mr Telang walked great distances to show me more stunning sites. Mr Mahlomola Skhosana took me to other sites in Qomoqomong, Moyeni and Mt Moorosi. He also kindly helped me to identify potential interviewees in Mt Moorosi. I am thankful to the Director of Culture and all Culture staff members particularly Ms Mamasila Nkhethoa (Historian) and Mr Fusi Nkhoke (driver) who undertook almost all the fieldwork with me. Mr Pitso Koelane and Lt Col. Matela Matobakele of the Lesotho Defence Force continually encouraged me to take up archaeology. I sincerely thank Chief Salomone Botha Mosifa, Chief Molipa Mafura for invaluably supporting my study in their respective communities. In a special way, I thank all my informants in the following villages: Sebapala, Tsatsane, Phamong and Mt Moorosi. I cannot forget my classmates: Suzanne Barker, Richard Mbewe, Heidi Hansen and Lara Mallen for their support and inspiration that made our classes enjoyable. Basie has always been time-conscious! I owe special vote of thanks to my parents (Mpanye and Phali), sisters and friends for their support and especially for their always encouraging words. Thabiso Mokotjomela, Thabo Ntoi and Emmanuel Noe accommodated me at Wits during the final touches of this project. They have always been my source of inspiration with their encouraging words and valuable brotherly advice. v CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................I ABSTRACT ............................................................................................................ II ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ........................................................................................IV CONTENTS ...........................................................................................................VI LIST OF FIGURES .....................................................................................................IX INTRODUCTION: THE SAN (BAROA) OF SOUTH-EASTERN LESOTHO......................................................................................... X Mt Moorosi Project .............................................................................................. xii CHAPTER 1: MT MOOROSI, MTM 1 AND ROCK PAINTINGS .................... 1 Geographic Location.............................................................................................. 2 Geology and Vegetation ......................................................................................... 4 Previous Research in South-eastern Lesotho......................................................... 5 MTM 1 Rock Art Site............................................................................................ 11 CHAPTER 2: SITUATING MT MOOROSI IN ITS CHANGING SOCIAL CONTEXT....................................................................... 19 Previous Inhabitants............................................................................................. 20 Examining Change in the Painted Context .......................................................... 22 The Phuthi and the Moorosi San.......................................................................... 34 Research Work Undertaken in Mt Moorosi ......................................................... 39 Site Recording ...................................................................................................... 40 Interviews and Ethics ........................................................................................... 40 Reconnaissance Survey ........................................................................................ 42 vi CHAPTER 3: THE QUEST FOR MEANING IN SAN ROCK ART ................ 45 Paradigm Shift in San Rock Art Research............................................................ 45 Determining the Context ...................................................................................... 50 Hermeneutics........................................................................................................ 54 Ethnography ......................................................................................................... 55 Neuropsychological Research.............................................................................. 56 CHAPTER 4: SNAKES, ARTHROPODS: IDIOSYNCRATIC CREATURES AT MTM 1 SITE.................................................... 58 Eland Symbolism .................................................................................................. 59 Bovine Symbolism in Lesotho............................................................................... 60 Interpretation of the Imagery ............................................................................... 62 Dance .................................................................................................................. 62 ‘Squatting’ Human Figures.................................................................................. 65 Felines .................................................................................................................. 66 A Significantly Differentiated Figure................................................................... 67 Bags .................................................................................................................. 68 Idiosyncratic Snake-arthropod Creature ............................................................
Recommended publications
  • Lesotho Vulnerability Assessment Committee
    2016 Lesotho Government Lesotho VAC Table of Contents List of Tables ................................LESOTHO................................................................ VULNERABILITY.............................................................................. 0 List of Maps ................................................................................................................................................................................ 0 Acknowledgments ................................ASSESSMENT................................................................ COMMITTEE................................................................ ... 3 Key Findings .............................................................................................................................................................................. 4 Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................................................ 5 INTERVENTION MODALITY SELECTION Section 1: Objectives, methodology and limitations ................................................................................................. 7 1.1 Objectives ................................In light ................................of the findings................................ from the LVAC................................ Market Assessment................................ that assessed....... 9 the functionality and performance of Lesotho’s food markets, LVAC proceeded to 1.2 Methodology
    [Show full text]
  • Household Population and Housing Characteristics 2
    HOUSEHOLD POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS 2 John Nkonyana This chapter presents information on the social, economic, and demographic characteristics of the household population, focusing mainly on such background characteristics as age, sex, educational attendance and attainment, place of residence, and socioeconomic conditions of households. The information provided is intended to facilitate interpretation of the key demographic, socioeconomic, and health indices. It is further intended to assist in the assessment of the representativeness of the survey. One of the background characteristics used throughout this report is an index of socioeconomic status. The economic index used here was recently developed and tested in a large number of countries in relation to inequities in household income, use of health services, and health outcomes (Rutstein et al., 2000). It is an indicator of the level of wealth that is consistent with expenditure and income measures (Rutstein, 1999). The economic index was constructed using household asset data with principal components analysis. The asset information was collected through the Household Questionnaire of the 2004 LDHS and covers information on household ownership of a number of consumer items ranging from a television to a bicycle or car, as well as dwelling characteristics, such as source of drinking water, sanitation facilities, and type of material used for flooring. Each asset was assigned a weight (factor score) generated through principal components analysis, and the resulting asset scores were standardized in relation to a normal distribution with a mean of zero and standard deviation of one (Gwatkin et al., 2000). Each household was then assigned a score for each asset, and the scores were summed for each household; individuals were ranked according to the total score of the household in which they resided.
    [Show full text]
  • Nature Conservation in Lesotho
    Nature Conservation in Lesotho Report on Current Progress and Forward Planning by Dr. Donald N. McVean IUCN Consultant Report of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to the Government of Lesotho prepared with the financial support of the United Nations Environment Programme Morges, Switzerland June 1977 NATURE CONSERVATION IN LESOTHO Report on Current Progress and Forward Planning by Dr. Donald N. McVean IUCN Consultant Report of International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources to the Government of Lesotho with the financial support of the United Nations Environment Programme. Morges, Switzerland June 1977 FOREWORD Following a UNEP Mission to the Kingdom of Lesotho by Mr. A.L .D. Mongi, UNEP Advisor on Conservation and Wildlife from 29 January to 3 February 1975 in which he identified urgent need for a short-term advisory consult- ancy to the Kingdom to work out details on matters related to nature conservation, the Government of Lesotho approached UNEP for the provis- ion of such a consultant. International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), which works in close cooperation with UNEP in the promotion of conservation, was requested to carry out this task under UNEP/IUCN Project FP-1103-75-04. This arrangement made it possible to send an IUCN Consultant for three months the result of which is the subject of this report. IUCN acknowledges with gratitude the cooperation given to the Consultant by the Kingdom of Lesotho through the various Ministries, private bodies and individuals, and to the UNDP Resident Representative; and lastly to UNEP for making the funds available.
    [Show full text]
  • Integrated Acute Food Insecurity Phase Classification
    INTEGRATED ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY PHASE CLASSIFICATION MAY 16/MAR 17 THE KINGDOM OF LESOTHO IPC analysis conducted from 24 to 30 May 2016 for all 10 districts of Lesotho based on primary data collected by LVAC and partners in May 2016 and secondary data collected from Jan. 2016 onwards. Projected analysis requires an update in October 2016. AGGREGATE NUMBERS FOR WORST PERIOD KEY FOOD INSECURITY OUTCOMES AS OF MAY 2016 – JULY TO OCTOBER 2016 – Despite current analysis corresponding to harvest/post-harvest Proportions of households and number of people in need of urgent period, 19% of households had poor food consumption, and 45% had support to protect their livelihoods and reduce food gaps and classified borderline food consumption. using IPC1: In Berea, Mafeteng, Mohale’s Hoek, Quthing and Thaba-Tseka, over Thaba-Tseka 40% (48,903 people) 20% of the rural households spent more than 75% of their cash in Maseru 25% (55,623 people) food purchase. In other districts the same expenditure pattern is Mafeteng 45% (67,204 people) experienced by 10-16% of rural households. Qacha’s Nek 45% (23,950 people) Generally, 13% of households engaged in crisis and emergency Leribe 35% (86,918 people) livelihood coping strategies, indicating that households reduced food Mohale’s Hoek 33% (50,245 people) consumption rather than depleting livelihood assets Quthing 43% (48,448 people) Global Acute Malnutrition was below 5% in all districts except in Mokhotlong 25% (23,625 people) Mohale’s Hoek, which had a GAM prevalence of 6.6%. Butha Buthe 20% (16,616 people) Berea 51% (88,725 people) Total Approx.
    [Show full text]
  • Private Solutions for Infrastructure in Lesotho
    A COUNTRY FRAMEWORK REPORT Private Solutions for Infrastructure in Lesotho PUBLIC-PRIVATE INFRASTRUCTURE ADVISORY FACILITY THE WORLD BANK A Country Framework Report Private Solutions for Infrastructure in Lesotho THE WORLD BANK Washington, D.C. Copyright © 2004 The findings, interpretations, and conclusions expressed in The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/ this report are entirely those of the authors and should not be THE WORLD BANK attributed in any manner to the Public-Private Infrastructure 1818 H Street,NW Advisory Facility (PPIAF) or to the World Bank, to its affil- Washington, DC 20433, USA iated organizations, or to members of its Board of Executive Telephone 202-473-1000 Directors or the countries they represent. Internet www.worldbank.org Neither PPIAF nor the World Bank guarantees the accu- E-mail [email protected] racy of the data included in this publication or accepts All rights reserved responsibility for any consequence of their use. The bound- Manufactured in the aries, colors, denominations, and other information shown United States of America on any map in this report do not imply on the part of PPIAF or the World Bank Group any judgment on the legal status of any territory or the endorsement or acceptance of such boundaries. The material in this publication is copyrighted. Copyright is held by the World Bank on behalf of both the World Bank and PPIAF. Dissemination of this work is encouraged, and the World Bank will normally grant per- mission promptly and, when reproduction is for non-commercial purposes, without asking a fee. Permission to photocopy portions of this publication should be addressed to: Copyright Clearance Center, Inc., 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, U.S.A., telephone 978-750-8400, fax 978-750-4470, or through the Internet at www.copyright.com For questions about this publication or information about ordering more copies, please refer to the PPIAF web- site or contact PPIAF c/o the World Bank, 1818 H.
    [Show full text]
  • Of the Nineteenth-Century Maloti- Drakensberg Mountains1
    View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by UCL Discovery The ‘Interior World’ of the Nineteenth-Century Maloti- Drakensberg Mountains1 Rachel King*1, 2, 3 and Sam Challis3 1 Centre of African Studies, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom 2 McDonald Institute for Archaeological Research, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom 3 Rock Art Research Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa *Corresponding author: [email protected] Abstract Over the last four decades archaeological and historical research has the Maloti-Drakensberg Mountains as a refuge for Bushmen as the nineteenth-century colonial frontier constricted their lifeways and movements. Recent research has expanded on this characterisation of mountains-as-refugia, focusing on ethnically heterogeneous raiding bands (including San) forging new cultural identities in this marginal context. Here, we propose another view of the Maloti-Drakensberg: a dynamic political theatre in which polities that engaged in illicit activities like raiding set the terms of colonial encounters. We employ the concept of landscape friction to re-cast the environmentally marginal Maloti-Drakensberg as a region that fostered the growth of heterodox cultural, subsistence, and political behaviours. We introduce historical, rock art, and ‘dirt’ archaeological evidence and synthesise earlier research to illustrate the significance of the Maloti-Drakensberg during the colonial period. We offer a revised southeast-African colonial landscape and directions for future research. Keywords Maloti-Drakensberg, Basutoland, AmaTola, BaPhuthi, creolisation, interior world 1 We thank Lara Mallen, Mark McGranaghan, Peter Mitchell, and John Wright for comments on this paper. This research was supported by grants from the South African National Research Foundation’s African Origins Platform, a Clarendon Scholarship from the University of Oxford, the Claude Leon Foundation, and the Smuts Memorial Fund at Cambridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Social Fences M ... Sotho and Eastern Cape.Pdf
    Extensive livestock production remains a significant part of livelihoods in many parts of southern Africa where land is not held in freehold, including Lesotho and the former 'homeland' of Transkei, now part of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In such areas, sustainable livestock production requires some form of community based range management. Based on field research and project support work in the Maluti District of the former Transkei and the Mohale's Hoek and Quthing Districts of southern Lesotho, this paper explores the contrasting views of community based range management that prevail in the two countries. It aims to reveal the social and economic tensions that exist between social fencing approaches and metal fencing approaches, and to highlight the different perceptions of governance and institutional roles that result from the two countries' political experiences over the 20* century. This comparative discussion should yield policy lessons for both countries, and the wider region. The Drakensberg escarpment separates two very different experiences of governance and resource management in these two areas. In southern Lesotho, chiefs continue to play a strong role in local government and natural resource management. Cattle, sheep and goats still play an important role in local livelihoods. Livestock are herded by boys and young men. Grazing areas, demarcated by natural features or beacons, are unfenced. They are opened and closed by the chiefs sitting in council with senior men of the community, who also punish infringements of local range management rules. Like their Xhosa-speaking neighbours in the former Transkei homeland area of the Eastern Cape, Basotho have suffered heavily from stock theft over the past decade.
    [Show full text]
  • Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) Categories Approved by Recommendation 4.7, As Amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
    Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands (RIS) Categories approved by Recommendation 4.7, as amended by Resolution VIII.13 of the Conference of the Contracting Parties. Note for compilers: 1. The RIS should be completed in accordance with the attached Explanatory Notes and Guidelines for completing the Information Sheet on Ramsar Wetlands. Compilers are strongly advised to read this guidance before filling in the RIS. 2. Once completed, the RIS (and accompanying map(s)) should be submitted to the Ramsar Bureau. Compilers are strongly urged to provide an electronic (MS Word) copy of the RIS and, where possible, digital copies of maps. 1. Name and address of the compiler of this form: FOR OFFICE USE ONLY. DD MM YY Ms Limpho Motanya, Department of Water Affairs. Ministry of Natural Resources, P O Box 772, Maseru, LESOTHO. Designation date Site Reference Number 2. Date this sheet was completed/updated: October 2003 3. Country: LESOTHO 4. Name of the Ramsar site: Lets`eng - la – Letsie 5. Map of site included: Refer to Annex III of the Explanatory Note and Guidelines, for detailed guidance on provision of suitable maps. a) hard copy (required for inclusion of site in the Ramsar List): yes (X) -or- no b) digital (electronic) format (optional): yes (X) -or- no 6. Geographical coordinates (latitude/longitude): The area lies between 30º 17´ 02´´ S and 30º 21´ 53´´ S; 28º 08´ 53´´ E and 28º 15´ 30´´ E xx 7. General location: Include in which part of the country and which large administrative region(s), and the location of the nearest large town.
    [Show full text]
  • Repainting of Images on Rock in Australia and the Maintenance of Aboriginal Culture [1988]
    See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/269164534 REPAINTING OF IMAGES ON ROCK IN AUSTRALIA AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ABORIGINAL CULTURE [1988] Article in Antiquity · December 1988 DOI: 10.1017/S0003598X00075086 CITATIONS READS 34 212 4 authors, including: Graeme K Ward Australian National University 75 PUBLICATIONS 1,081 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Cosmopolitanism, Social Justice and Global Archaeology View project Pathway Project View project All content following this page was uploaded by Graeme K Ward on 06 December 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. REPAINTING OF IMAGES ON ROCK IN AUSTRALIA AND THE MAINTENANCE OF ABORIGINAL CULTURE [1988] David MOWALJARLAI Wanang Ngari Corporation, PO Box 500, Derby WA 6723 Patricia VINNICOMBE Department of Aboriginal Sites, Western Australian Museum, Perth WA 6005 Graeme K WARD Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, GPO Box 553, Canberra ACT 2601 Christopher CHIPPINDALE Cambridge University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Downing Street, Cambridge CB2 3DZ Published in Antiquity 62 (237): 690-696 (December 1988) Introduction This paper has grown out of public and private discussions at the First AURA (Australian Rock Art Research Association) Congress held in Darwin (NT), Australia, in August 1988. DM is a traditional Aboriginal ‘lawman’ concerned to make his viewpoint known to a wider audience following controversy over the repainting of images in rock-shelters in his territory, A highlight of the AURA Congress was the participation of Australian Aboriginal people. They and their ancestors are the source of the painted and engraved images discussed in Australian sections of the conference and seen on field excursions.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern African Rock Art : Problems of Interpretation*
    SOUTHERN AFRICAN ROCK ART : PROBLEMS OF INTERPRETATION* by Kyalo Mativo This essay sets out to investigate the concepts and ideas behind the current controversy surrounding different interpretations of Southern African rock art. These interpretations fall into three categories: the aesthetic interpretation, the functionalist perception and the materialist viewpoint. Each of these 'models' is discussed briefly to delineate the assumptions underlying corresponding arguments. The implications of the whole question of interpreting southern African rock art are drawn to inculpate the interpreters in the tragic 'disappearance' of the southern San community whose artistic wealth the interpreters have inherited. For their audible silence on the genocidal crime committed against this African people incriminates them as historical accomplices in the act. The extent to which indigenous participation is excluded from the interpretation gives the debate a foreign taste, thereby removing it farther away from the reality of the African people. Needless to say, the arguments advanced in this analysis are not a detached academic description of the "main trends" genre. The thesis here is that the ' model' of interpretation one adopts l eads to definite conclusions with definite social implications. There are two perceptions under investigation here: the idealist approach and the materialist point of reference. The generalisations corresponding to the one are necessarily different from, and in certain cases actually antagonistic to the other. In this matrix of opposing viewpoints, an eclectic approach would seem to be a sure loser. Nevertheless, inasmuch as a ' model ' acknowledges contributions by others, any approach is electic in function. It is only when a given 'model' make~ a unilateral declaration of independence of perception that it ceases to be eclectic and assumes full responsibility for the consequences of its action.
    [Show full text]
  • Rock Art Researchers in the Ukhahlamba Drakensberg
    Rock art researchers in the uKhahlamba Drakensberg by Elwyn Jenkins he uKhahlamba Drakensberg the development of an understanding mountain range has a very of the art. Tlarge number of rock paintings, The first serious analysis of the including some of the most beautiful meaning of a Drakensberg painting in the world. Some date back possibly came about in 1873, when Joseph thousands of years and others were still Orpen, who was the British Resident being painted by San people late in the in Nomansland, was sent at the head nineteenth century. Since the nineteenth of a Sotho contingent to pursue Lan- century, they have fascinated visitors. galibalele. He found as a guide Qing, a People have searched for them and young San survivor, who was working recorded them in various ways. They as a hunter for a Sotho chief (Nquasha, have recorded their location; counted of Qacha’s Nek). Orpen had already them; made freehand copies, traced and copied paintings, and he now copied photographed them; excavated around paintings he saw along the way. He them; vandalised them; and removed requested Qing to give him explana- them. Many people have written about tions of the paintings. Qing spoke in the paintings, attempting to date them, sePhuti, which was translated by a So- describing them and analysing them. tho interpreter into English, and Orpen In this article I give a personal view of recorded his explanations. One of his the most notable of these personalities, copies, made in Sehonghong shelter, at the same time recounting in broad shows people interacting with strange outline what I believe to have been animals.
    [Show full text]
  • TRADITION OR INVENTION: REMEMBERING and REVIVING MEANING of PLACES Marilyn TRUSCOTT*, Australie / Australia
    Sub-theme B: Impact of change and diverse perceptions Sous-thème B : Impact du changement et perceptions diverses ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Section B2: Diversity of perceptions Session B2 : Diversité des perceptions et des sens ________________________________________________________________________________________________ TRADITION OR INVENTION: REMEMBERING AND REVIVING MEANING OF PLACES Marilyn TRUSCOTT*, Australie / Australia I would like to acknowledge the Nambia people here at Case Study 1 – Rock Art Repainting Mosi Oa Tunya (Victoria Falls) and thank them for their welcome to ICOMOS earlier this week. I also dedicate The first case study is in the far north west of Australia in this paper to colleague Pat Vinnicombe, the South African the extensive Kimberleys. In the wet tropics, this is an and Australian rock art specialist, who died earlier this extensive area of rugged sandstone plateau dissected by year, working on the cause of the protection of rock art in rivers, remote from main population centres (distances), Western Australia. although increasingly it is a destination for Australian and international tourists wanting a wilderness and / or Continuity of intangible cultural values often required a Indigenous Australian experience. For this area is not tangible manifestation. This may be a place where the only rich in natural biodiversity but has a rich and relationship between the physical nature of the place – its longstanding and still vital Aboriginal culture. fabric and the ‘intangible’ associations with that place and the meanings that place has to a group of people have I have explained aspects of the Australian Indigenous continued through time. Such associations and their cultures in past papers at ICOMOS Scientific Symposia, cultural significance are increasingly recognised in which although there were 300 different language groups, national and international systems.
    [Show full text]