Murujuga Rock Art
Background
The Western Australian Government recognises Murujuga (the Dampier Archipelago, including the Burrup Peninsula and surrounds) as a unique ecological and archaeological area containing one of the largest collections of Aboriginal engraved rock art in the world. The rock art (petroglyphs) are of immense cultural and spiritual significance to Aboriginal people, and of national and international heritage value.
Murujuga is home to industry that contributes to the local and state economy and provides employment in the area. In response to concerns that industrial emissions may be impacting the rock art, a number of scientific studies have been conducted over the past 15 years. The reports from these studies are available below.
Rock Art Monitoring
Monitoring of colour change and spectral mineralogy of the rock art on Murujuga was undertaken by CSIRO between 2004 and 2016. The annual monitoring reports are available below.
Independent reviews commissioned by the Western Australian Government have recognised that improvements can be made to ensure that monitoring programs and other studies provide robust, reliable results to inform management. The reviews are available below.
Murujuga Rock Art Strategy
The Murujuga Rock Art Strategy is a monitoring, analysis and decision-making framework to protect the Aboriginal rock art located on Murujuga.
DWER is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of the strategy. This will be in partnership with the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and will include overseeing the development and implementation of a scientific monitoring and analysis program that will determine whether the rock art on Murujuga is being subject to accelerated change.
The draft strategy was released in September 2017 for public comment.
The comment period was extended until May 2018 to allow stakeholders to put forward their views on how the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee’s inquiry into the protection of Aboriginal rock art of the Burrup Peninsula should inform the strategy.
The Consultation Summary Report summarises the comments received on the draft strategy. During the consultation period 27 written submissions were received.
Murujuga Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group
The Murujuga Rock Art Stakeholder Reference Group was established by Environment Minister Stephen Dawson in September 2018 to facilitate engagement between the Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation and key government, industry and community representatives on the development and implementation of the strategy.
The Reference Group is chaired by Dr Ron Edwards.
Summaries of Stakeholder Reference Group meetings:
Summaries of Community Forums:
CSIRO monitoring reports
CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour change and spectral mineralogy 2004-2016- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2014) October 2015
- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2013) May 2014
- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2012) July 2013
- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy Report (2004–2011) September 2012
- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy Report (2004–2010) March 2011
- Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2009) April 20103 MB
- Burrup Rock Art Monitoring Management Committee – Report and Recommendations to the Minister for State Development – April 2009 (214.89 kB)
- Burrup Rock Art Monitoring Program – Summary of study reports – February 2009 (SKM) (316.84 kB)
- Review of Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy – September 2008 (CSIRO) (34.29 kB)
- CSIRO Burrup Peninsula Aboriginal Petroglyphs: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2007) – September 20082.12 MB
- International reviewers comments on Field studies of rock art appearance – March 2007 (32.23 kB)
- Field studies of rock art appearance. Final report: Fumigation & Dust Deposition. Progress Report: Colour Change and Spectral Mineralogy (2004–2006) – March 2007 (CSIRO) (5.61 MB)
Burrup Peninsula air pollution studies
Air quality monitoring was carried out by CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research in 2004-2005, 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 to assess the likelihood that air pollution from the industrial area may damage the petroglyphs.
International Reviewers comments on the Burrup Peninsula Air Pollution Study – November 2008 (28 kB)Dispersion modelling of atmospheric pollutants on the Burrup Peninsula
In 2003, dispersion modelling of atmospheric pollutants was undertaken by Sinclair Knight Mertz. This modelling was subsequently revised in 2009.
Monitoring of microbial diversity on the petroglyphs
The possibility that microbial activity perhaps stimulated by deposition of air pollutants could accelerate surface corrosion was investigated by Murdoch University between 2004 and 2008
Accelerated erosion tests
In 2016, CSIRO undertook an experimental extreme weathering study to understand the effect that different concentrations of pollutants (nitric and sulphuric acid, ammonia and ammonium nitrate) generated from industries close to the rock art could have on the surface of Burrup Peninsula gabbro and granophyre rock samples
Accelerated erosion tests were conducted by CSIRO between 2004 and 2007 using fumigation chambers to assess the impact of different pollutant scenarios, and to evaluate the role that dust may play in rock surface modification.