A team of researchers at the University of Melbourne discovered an ancient and complete animal petroglyph in Western Australia. Through the analysis of ancient wasp nests and the identification of radiocarbon isotopes, the researchers eventually narrowed the petroglyphic years to about 1.71 to 17,500 years ago. It is reported that radiocarbon dating technology is widely used for the estimation of the year of organic materials, and the petroglyphs reflect the artistic achievements of indigenous ancestors in the "naturalistic period".
(From Peter Veth/Balanggarra Aboriginal Corporation, illustration by Pauline Heaney)
Foreign media pointed out that the petroglyph was found at the ceiling of a rock bunker. But the most gratifying thing is that the image of the kangaroo on the petroglyph is still vivid today.
Study Illustration - 1: Schematic map of the Kimberley area of Western Australia
If you restore it according to 1:1, the body length of this ancient kangaroo may be 2 meters (6.5 inches), and the difficulty of the ancients to fight with it alone is still a bit high.
It is reported that through a more in-depth study of the wasp nest dating, the Melbourne University team is expected to identify rock paintings that are more ancient than this kangaroo in the future.
Study With Figure - 2: Most recent year prediction based on 10/15 wasp nests
It is worth mentioning that the study is part of a larger project focused on the discovery of petroglyphs in the Kimberly region of Western Australia.
It is well known for its indigenous petroglyph art, and the main project has attracted a number of australian universities and research institutes, such as the Rock Art Museum.
Study With Figure - 3: Prediction based on the farthest year of a 5/6 wasp nest
Cissy Gore-Birch of the Balanguara Aboriginal Company says they hope to pass on important knowledge and stories about the indigenous people for future generations to share.
In addition, as an important part of Australian history, this oldest known kangaroo rock painting is of great significance to the Aboriginal people of the Rock Shed Age and australians.
Study Illustration - 4: Samples dating back 17,300 years
Details of the study have been published in the recently published journal Nature Human Behaviour, titled Ages for Australia's oldest rock paintings.