Comment: The Kimberley - King Edward River & the search for the elusive "Sunburs
Submitted: Thursday, Mar 24, 2011 at 11:22
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Member - Michael J (SA)
A fascinating place for sure.
Considering just how many people must visit the area I am surprised to see that they are so
well preserved, given some peoples penchant for adding their own bits n pieces.
Mick, have you any idea how old those ‘Sunburst Wanjanas’ are?
Have that area ‘on the list’ of
places to go………..list is getting longer by the blog;))
MJ
Reply By: Mick O - Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 01:04
Wednesday, Mar 04, 2015 at 01:04
I don't think too many people get to the sunburst Wanjanas. There wasn't a path over to them nor did anyone actually seem to know much about them. More a word of mouth thing. The conventional wisdom is that the “modern” art around these areas is no more than 500 years old. I’d suggest a bit less than that. The Gwion (Bradshaw) art is actually much older, dated at 17,000 years plus. Very little is known of it and it had been referred to as “rubbish art” by modern day indigenous occupants who knew nothing of its provenance (although racial memory seems to be returning these days lol). Wanjanas are more reflective of the later art styles and the oldest dating in the
Kimberley is around 800 years.
We felt very privileged to have seen the many art sites on this trip as I don't believe access will become any easier as time goes by. Get the car finished pronto!
Cheers Mick
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