Carvings and paintings, Kakadu

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This unique archaeological and ethnological reserve, located in the Northern Territory, has been inhabited continuously for more than 40,000 years. The cave paintings, rock carvings and archaeological sites record the skills and way of life of the region’s inhabitants, from the hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to the Aboriginal people still living there. It is a unique example of a complex of ecosystems, including tidal flats, floodplains, lowlands and plateaux, and provides a habitat for a wide range of rare or endemic species of plants and animals.


Some of the oldest rock art is located at Ubirr in Kakadu. Figures there were created in what has been called x-ray painting. This spot also provides excellent views of Arnhem Land.

Cite this page as: UNESCO, "Carvings and paintings, Kakadu," in Smarthistory, May 27, 2021, accessed November 6, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/carvings-and-paintings-kakadu/.