Petroglyphs
These petroglyphs are in N'Dala Gorge about 100km east of Alice Springs.
The gorge is an area of great significance to the Eastern Arrente Tribe
To reach the gorge requires a 4wd but the scenery is outstanding and I highly recommend a visit.
These petroglyphs are said to be a conservative 10,000 yrs old.
They are not surrounded by fences or security. Just sitting there for anyone to look at and touch. Not a sign of vandalism or graffiti to be seen. The place emanates a very spiritual aura. A wonderful place.
posted by David Burge at
8:11 AM
8 Comments:
Art built to last - great travel photos David. Nice to get out and see the wonders of the world first hand, personal and up close. Makes me think if "Man-kind" is so great then let's start showing it - stop the current rape of Nature. True genious lies in that direction. These photos show there is more to life than chasing your own tail and I'm pleased to be reminded of that.
I'm not sure "Man-Kind" is so great.
How many billions are spent on weapons and space?
Let's all kill each other(especially those that don't agree with your particular god version), oh yeah, AND this, "fallen" planet and go find our true destiny on some other dismal rock in space.
I follow the thread back to that delusion that "man-kind" has about a Being who decided the best design was a copy of himself.
Something tells me a lizard has a better connection to "The Answer".
Hi David,
What an experience it must have been to see these petroglyphs! The aura and ancience of the place is almost palpable(outstanding colours and lighting). For some time, i've been interested in the notion of intelligible 'signs' (glyphs, characters, marks -etched or in relief, etc) intentionally made or left, whether large (e.g. pyramids) or small, meaningful in their time, and also, perhaps later in time: ?conduits of meaning. Although my knowledge in this area is v scant, (largely based on first principles with a smattering of reading limited to a few areas of special interest) i'm fascinated by these ancient motifs, and their continued resonance today.
Thanks for sharing these pics,
best wishes,
wayne
Thanks Wayne, The interpretation on these motifs is consistent with the story that exists throughout the region. It is told from one end of these dramatic ridges to the other, some 500 km.(A long way by foot)
These particular motifs are representations of the life cycle of a butterfly.
The MacDonnell Ranges are caterpillars and other insects in battle. The smaller round individual hills are bees. The plot is consistent, there are no arguments about how things came to exist.
The junction of the Todd River with the MacDonnell Ranges seems a natural place for Men to have come together to share stories
and live over the aeons. It has that powerful resonance with humans we call spirituality.
Perhaps these little pictures out here in the middle of nowhere are like nodes of connectivity, they've stitched humanity together in one of the toughest environments on the planet for thousands of generations.
At Uluru at the moment. Very close up and personal with The Rock this afternoon, some photos soon.
Thanks again!
The land that time forgot. I know there isn't much civilization out that way, hopefully it will stay as such. It does make one wonder how a person eked out a living in that dry environment, though. I don't feel much of the hunter instinct, personally, but I hope it's there just in case....we could all be living in a similar landscape soon!
Hi David, Thanks for this fascinating insight into the Aboriginal story/interpretation concerning the MacDonnell Ranges, Alice Springs/Todd River and environs.
That the the story is consistent across 500km of rugged landscape and that this 'butterfly-life-cycle' concept has persisted over aeons is remarkable.
What you wrote rings so true, "Perhaps these little pictures out here in the middle of nowhere are like nodes of connectivity, they've stitched humanity together in one of the toughest environments on the planet for thousands of generations."
It seems increasingly clear that theirs is a most remarkable culture/civilization. And as one watches the evening news these days, it's hard to see how the pillaging of Nature by so-called 'advanced' civilizations, can qualify as any sturdy platform from which there might be taken a dim view of this ancient Aboriginal culture that has lived in harmony with Nature, in synchrony with its rhythms, able to metamorphose as a chrysalis to a butterfly. The most ancient human civilization on the planet, and arguably, from many perspectives, among the most advanced. The world can surely learn much from such a civilization as theirs.
Thanks again,
wayne
wonderful , i ve always been in love with Australia , your blog is just what i needed , wold like to read more and will to be sure ,
do you have a myspace site?
had a glimpse at your watercolours , very impressive , I'ma fan of australian painter Fred Williams , and love more abstract work , still it's great to know you ! check @ http://www.myspace.com/aloredelam you'll see some of my painting if you're interested ! bye for now ! lam
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