Ancient Aboriginal rock art in Western Australia’s Pilbara region has been permanently damaged by vandals spray painting graffiti and chipping out imitation carvings.
The ABC reports that the defacing of some of the world’s oldest and largest Aboriginal carvings on the Burrup Peninsula has left local elders ‘devastated’.
“The main one we seem to be finding lately is people spray painting on rock art, and on the face of rocks, and some other old carvings,” said senior cultural ranger Geoffrey Togo. “Some seem to be carving themselves, their name or something else, on top of old carvings.”
The ABC reports that there are also increasing incidences of people using hand operated tools or chisels to create imitation carvings. The damage is being recorded mainly in the high recreational areas, with some 15 to 20 sites having suffered ‘significant’ graffiti damage.
Traditional owners say they would rather focus on educating visitors rather than closing off areas to the public, or putting up warning signs that would detract from the natural landscape.
Cat Morgan, a cultural archaeologist, told the ABC that the damage to such significantly cultural sites was not confined to the Pilbara.
“I guess it’s about creating awareness and education, but at the same time there is always going to be people who even though they know, they will still do something like that,” she said. “So hopefully at some point we can catch someone and just say these are the consequences for your action.”
Comment below
How about classing the Art as of National significance and put protections in place.. ie you damage the ART you get Fined a Significant amount of Money..
In the High 6 figure’s…
It would be like taking a knife to a Claude Monet.. I image the owner of those painting would want to be compensated.. So why not do the same….
There are such thing’s a stealth hunting Camera setup’s..[That have their own security cable’s]
Juergen
So frustrating and pointless, once again a few idiots let us down in basic human behaviours
Could not agree more Jurgens, but would be a waste of time fining these idiots as they would not have the money to pay them. A good long term in prison would be more useful.