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Laura River bed, near the Bridge - an Aboriginal Rock Art site in Northern Queensland



The rock art near Laura Bridge consists of engravings in the sandstone. Subjects include animal tracks, yams, and humanoid figures.


Laura River Bridge

Engraving at Laura River bed, near the Bridge, an Aboriginal Rock Art site in Northern Queensland

Photo: © Leo Dubal

The excellent photographs of Laura River bed Aboriginal Rock Art site on this page are from Leo Dubal, www.archaeometry.org



Laura River Bridge

Fish shaped engraving on a near vertical surface.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

This engraving on a horizontal surface is difficult to interpret, but may be an outline of two axes with handles. False colour image on the right for better contrast.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge

This engraving on a horizontal surface appears to be a bird's foot, possibly an emu.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge

This engraving of either a human foot or a fish or a yam is of the 'cookie cutter' type, which occurs when the rock patina is cut through in an engraving, exposing a softer stone beneath, which preferentially weathers.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

Yam engravings, the photos centre and right in false colour to create better contrast.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

Yam engravings, close up of the image above, the photo on the right in false colour to create better contrast.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

Yam engravings, the photo on the right in false colour to create better contrast, probably a continuation of the engravings above.

Note the kangaroo prints at top left of the image.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

Yam engravings (or possibly heads with rays), the photo on the right in false colour to create better contrast.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge

This is the large area of stone in which the engravings occur.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge

Engraving of an emu track, the photo on the right in false colour to create better contrast.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge

Engraving of what may be a human, or quinkan, female, head down as shown in the image, with a very long neck.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge Laura River Bridge





This is the above engraving rotated so that the figure may be more easily examined and interpreted.

In this view, and in the false colour views centre and right, we can see that it is female, and is almost certainly a quinkan figure with a very long neck.

In addition, to the bottom left in this view, is what may be an engraving of a yam.

Photo: © Leo Dubal




map of sites


Map of some of the sites mentioned.

Photo: supplied by Leo Dubal




Laura Map









Map of part of Far North Queensland showing the location of the Laura River rock art sites.

Photo: Pearson (1989)




Laura Map









The Laura sandstone belt, showing the location of some rock art sites.

1 Yam Camp
2 Platform Gallery
3 Magnificent Gallery
4 Sandy Creek
5 Mushroom Rock
6 Early Man
7 Red Bluff
8 Red Horse

Photo and text: David and Chant (1995)




References

  1. David B., Chant D., 1995: Rock art and regionalisation in north Queensland prehistory, Memoirs of the Queensland Museum, Brisbane 1 August 1995 Volume 37 Part 2 Hamlyn-Harris, Ronald; Queensland Museum
  2. Pearson W., 1989: A Technological Analysis of Stone Artefacts from Yam Camp Surface Scatter and Rockshelter, S.E- Cape York Peninsula, Queensland Archaeological Research, Vol. 6, December 1989

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