ROCK ART AND YURA MALKA A study on the relevance of archaeological rock art practices and theories from Adnyamathanha perspectives Jacinta Koolmatrie Bachelor of Archaeology Flinders University A thesis submitted in partial requirements for the degree of Master of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, November 2018. DECLARATION I certify that this thesis does not incorporate without acknowledgement any material previously submitted for a degree or diploma in any university and to the best of my knowledge and belief, does not contain any material previously published or written by another person except where due reference is made in the text. Jacinta Koolmatrie TABLE OF CONTENTS Figures and Tables ................................................................................................................................. iv Abstract .................................................................................................................................................. vi Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................................... vii Foreword ................................................................................................................................................ ix Adnyamathanha Language ................................................................................................................ ix Other Terminology .............................................................................................................................. x Chapter 1: Introduction .......................................................................................................................... 1 Background and Significance .............................................................................................................. 1 Question and Aims .............................................................................................................................. 3 Chapter 2: Indigenous Women’s Standpoint .......................................................................................... 5 Chapter 3: Literature Review .................................................................................................................. 7 Indigenous Knowledge and Collaboration .......................................................................................... 7 Unilinear Evolutionary Frameworks ............................................................................................... 7 Collaborative Approaches ............................................................................................................... 8 Archaeology with, by and for Indigenous Peoples.......................................................................... 9 Symbolic Communication ................................................................................................................. 10 Art and the Eurocentric view ........................................................................................................ 10 Australian Context ........................................................................................................................ 11 Rock art with Indigenous perspectives ......................................................................................... 13 Chapter 4: Study Area ........................................................................................................................... 16 Adnyamathanha ................................................................................................................................ 17 Invasion ............................................................................................................................................. 19 Adnyamathanha Yarta and Malkai Environmental Context ............................................................. 20 Malkai ................................................................................................................................................ 21 Previous Research ............................................................................................................................. 23 Adnyamathanha-Led Research ..................................................................................................... 23 Early Expeditions ........................................................................................................................... 25 Archaeological Studies .................................................................................................................. 26 Malkai Research ............................................................................................................................ 27 Hale and Tindale Visit to Malkai ................................................................................................... 27 Mountford Visit ............................................................................................................................. 31 Warturlipinha ................................................................................................................................ 31 Chapter 5: Methods .............................................................................................................................. 33 i Adnyamathanha Ethics ..................................................................................................................... 33 Approvals ...................................................................................................................................... 34 Protocols ....................................................................................................................................... 34 Ethics ................................................................................................................................................. 35 Yura malka fieldwork ........................................................................................................................ 36 Sampling ........................................................................................................................................ 37 Graphic Documentation ................................................................................................................ 37 Rock Shelter recording .................................................................................................................. 38 Yura Malka Recording Database ................................................................................................... 39 Adnyamathanha Knowledge ............................................................................................................. 40 Consent to Participate .................................................................................................................. 40 Yarning as a method: The Structure ............................................................................................. 41 Yarning Topics and Questions ....................................................................................................... 42 Previously Recorded Knowledge ................................................................................................... 43 Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 44 Chapter 6: Results ................................................................................................................................. 45 Adnyamathanha Interviews .............................................................................................................. 45 Yura Malka Themes ...................................................................................................................... 45 Malkai themes ............................................................................................................................... 47 Malkai Yura malka ........................................................................................................................ 51 Malkai Recording .............................................................................................................................. 52 Malkai details ................................................................................................................................ 52 Site Condition ................................................................................................................................ 54 Yura malka .................................................................................................................................... 56 Panels ........................................................................................................................................ 56 Application method and use of colour ......................................................................................... 59 Motifs ............................................................................................................................................ 60 Summary ........................................................................................................................................... 65 Chapter 7: Discussion ...........................................................................................................................