Dating the aboriginal rock art sequence of the Kimberley in north west Australia

该项目旨在为西澳大利亚金伯利已知的土著岩石艺术序列开发一个可靠的时间尺度。该项目将利用金伯利北部砂岩表面复杂过程的新知识，以及通过我们早期工作开发的四种科学测年方法的创新组合。该项目希望通过结果的复制、不同方法的确认和大型跨学科数据集，为金伯利岩石艺术提供一个准确的年代序列。该项目将允许对年代测定结果和岩石艺术风格之间的关系进行严格的分析，这在以前是不可能的，并为澳大利亚深厚的土著遗产提供新的见解。这将对今后岩石艺术保护工作产生重大影响，并为文化旅游奠定基础，对当地经济和区域土著社区的健康有重要好处。

This project aims to develop a robust time scale for the known aboriginal rock art sequence in the Kimberley, Western Australia (WA). The project will use new knowledge of complex processes on sandstone surfaces across the north Kimberley, and an innovative combination of four scientific dating methods developed through our earlier work. The project expects to provide a well-dated sequence for Kimberley rock art based on replication of results, confirmation across different methods, and a large interdisciplinary data set. The project will allow rigorous analysis of the relationship between dating results and rock art styles that has not previously been possible, and give new insights into Australia’s deep indigenous heritage. This will have a significant impact for future efforts in rock art conservation, and lay a foundation for cultural tourism, with important benefits for the local economy and health of regional indigenous communities.