Ngurrangga Tours owner discovers rock art that may provide insight into how traditional owners lived

Rock art discovered below the high-tide line by Karratha’s leading tour guide while he was out looking for mud crabs may provide critical insight into how traditional owners lived thousands of years ago, before the sea level rose. Ngurrangga Tours owner Clinton Walker, a Ngarluma and Yindjibarndi man, discovered the rock art and informed the Murujuga Rangers about the location July 14. Mr Walker regularly holds tours at Murujuga to educate tourists and locals about Ngarluma culture and the historical importance of Murujuga. The artwork he discovered depicts a set of kangaroo footprints on a rock exposed during low tide. Mr Walker posted about the rock art on Facebook after revealing the location to Murujuga Rangers. In the post Mr Walker stated it could be the first underwater rock art to be found in the Pilbara. “This is proof of what my people have always said about us having lived in places where once was normal dry land, is now underwater and all those places were swallowed up by rising sea levels,” he stated. “This type of evidence backs up the knowledge of my people and why songlines and history are so important to pass on to future generations as they keep us connected to country including those which we have lost.” The rock art findings come after researchers from Flinders University, the University of WA, James Cook University, Airborne Research Australia and the University of York discovered underwater artefacts at two Dampier sites. The study, conducted over four years, saw researchers examine two underwater sites at Cape Bruguieres and Flying Foam Passage where they discovered 269 stone tools and grinding stones. According to the researchers the sea level off the Dampier Archipelago was at least 80m lower than today.