Petroglyphs of Dampier—foreword. In Archaeology and Petroglyphs of Dampier (Western Australia), an Archaeological Investigation of Skew Valley and Gum Tree Valley, ed. Graeme K. Ward and Ken Mulvaney
Abstract
[Excerpt] When Michel Lorblanchet began his substantive research at the Pilbara’s (then) Dampier Island, there were few professional rock art scholars in Australia. They were supported by a few enthusiastic private researchers, most of whom attended the memorable conference convened in 1974 by the imaginative, newly appointed Principal of the (then) Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, Peter Ucko. This comprehensive and extended meeting reviewed the state of knowledge in various Aboriginal studies disciplines and suggested goals for future research within Aboriginal Australia. Several seminal publications resulted, most relevantly, the art volume edited by Ucko. These publications set Aboriginal studies within a global perspective and illuminated the potential for research. …
