Geochemical analysis of the painted panels at the “Genyornis” rock art site, Arnhem Land, Australia

Chalmin, Émilie; Castets, Géraldine; Delannoy, Jean‐Jacques; David, Bruno; Barker, Bryce; Lamb, Lara; Soufi, Fayçal; Pairis, Sébastien; Cersoy, Sophie; Martinetto, Pauline; Geneste, Jean Michel; Hœrlé, Stéphane; Richards, Thomas; Gunn, Robert George

doi:10.1016/j.quaint.2016.04.003

Cited by 26 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The white matrix is also composed of high proportions of alumino-potassic-phosphate, a compound that is not present in the bedrock. The alumino-potassic-phosphate is here identified as leucophosphite (K(Fe, Al) 2 (PO 4 ) 2 (OH) (H 2 0)), with a small percentage of Fe substituting for Al, as determined by XRD-computed tomography on sample GN1-3 (Chalmin et al , 2017. The presence of leucophosphite in the white matrix enhances adherence of the overlying red paint onto the white matrix.…”

Section: The Underlying Rock Matrixmentioning

confidence: 87%

The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

2017

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terra australis 47Terra Australis reports the results of archaeological and related research within the south and east of Asia, though mainly Australia, New Guinea and Island Melanesia -lands that remained terra australis incognita to generations of prehistorians. Its subject is the settlement of the diverse environments in this isolated quarter of the globe by peoples who have maintained their discrete and traditional ways of life into the recent recorded or remembered past and at times into the observable present. Copyright of the text remains with the authors, 2017. This book is copyright in all countries subscribing to the Berne convention. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Inquiries should be made to the publisher. List of volumes in Terra AustralisTerra Australis Editorial Board: Sue O'Connor, Jack Golson, Simon Haberle, Sally Brockwell, Geoffrey Clark. .6 Long-necked spearthrowers from other locations as recorded by , Lewis (1998), and Welch (1997). 74 .2 This painting depicts a predatory quadruped with a distinctively developed head and muzzle region unlike a thylacine. It is suggested that the robust proportions of the head represent a morphology similar to that of the marsupial lion Thylacoleo carnifex. 149x The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia terra australis 47 .27 Square P after completion of excavation showing south and west walls (the green string is the south side of the square). Note the flat rock surface at base. 266Figure 11.28 Square P east and south sections, with XUs and radiocarbon dates back-plotted. 267Figure 11.29 Square P showing sediments at the base of A: XU16 (average basal depth = 22 cm below ground), a stratigraphic level above that of the dried paint drops; B: XU21 (average basal depth = 28 cm below ground), a stratigraphic level below that of the dried paint drops; C: XU18 (average basal depth = 24 cm below ground), at the stratigraphic level containing the dried paint drops, here visible as lighter-coloured patches. 268 Figure 11.30 Profile view (top) and interpretation (bottom) of GPR data from the southeast to northwest ends of the rockshelter passing through Square P. 270 Figure 11.31 Bayesian age model for Square P produced with OxCal v4.2 (see text for discussion). 272 .37 Edge of the densely pillared, slightly elevated area to the south of the shelter. 280 Figure 11.38 Projected view of the Nawarla Gabarnmang shelter and the densely pillared edge of the slightly elevated area to the south. 281 Figure 11.39 Geomorphological reconstitution of the area around Square P. 284Figure 11.40 Square P: Distribution of stone artefacts and bone + teeth (excluding a particularly large stone artefact weighing 164.0 g from XU3, to enable better visualisation of the overall distribution down the XU profile). 286 Table 2.3 Radiocarbon dates on charcoal from Test Pits B and C, MN05. 36 Table 3.1 Gen...

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Section: The Underlying Rock Matrixmentioning

confidence: 87%

The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

2017

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“…In the initial recording, the large bird painting was thought to underlie at least four other images , while the large, solid male figure (Image #6) was thought as overlying the large bird motif. We have since shown elsewhere that Image #6 underlies the large bird motif and is therefore older (Chalmin et al 2017). Note that under microscopic examination of cross-sections of micro-samples, the stratification of paint layers confirms that the spear (Image #9) lies over the large solid anthropomorph (Image #6).…”

Section: Panel Amentioning

confidence: 94%

“…These higher concentrations are a result of the dissolution and redeposition of bedrock chemistries into the white matrix (Chalmin et al 2017;Wray 2013). The white matrix is also composed of high proportions of alumino-potassic-phosphate, a compound that is not present in the bedrock.…”

Section: The Underlying Rock Matrixmentioning

confidence: 99%

Archaeology of JSARN–124 site 3, central-western Arnhem Land: Determining the age of the so-called ‘Genyornis’ painting

Barker¹,

Lamb²,

Delannoy³

et al. 2017

The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

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“…The site has been the subject of a recent comprehensive report that included the characterisation of pigments used in painted panels with SEM-EDX, PIXE and Raman spectroscopy being employed [24]. Haematite was identified as a principal component of red pigments, while goethite was found to form the yellow pigments at the site.…”

Section: Rock Art Site Pigment Analysis In the Northern Territorymentioning

confidence: 99%

Pigment characterisation in Australian rock art: a review of modern instrumental methods of analysis

Stuart

Thomas

2017

Herit Sci

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The many thousands of Aboriginal rock art sites extending across Australia represent an important cultural record. The styles and materials used to produce such art are of great interest to archaeologists and those concerned with the protection of these significant works. Through an analysis of the mineral pigments utilised in Australian rock art, insight into the age of paintings and practices employed by artists can be gained. In recent years, there has been an expansion in the use of modern analytical techniques to investigate rock art pigments and this paper provides a review of the application of such techniques to Australian sites. The types of archaeological information that may be extracted via chemical analysis of specimens collected from or at rock art sites across the country are discussed. A review of the applicability of the techniques used for elemental analysis and structural characterisation of rock art pigments is provided and how future technological developments will influence the discipline is investigated.

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Geochemical analysis of the painted panels at the “Genyornis” rock art site, Arnhem Land, Australia

Cited by 26 publications

References 48 publications

The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

The Archaeology of Rock Art in Western Arnhem Land, Australia

Archaeology of JSARN–124 site 3, central-western Arnhem Land: Determining the age of the so-called ‘Genyornis’ painting

Pigment characterisation in Australian rock art: a review of modern instrumental methods of analysis

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