The oldest rock art drawings in Australia

Published on June 19th, 2012 | by Sevaan Franks

Charcoal drawings found in the Northern Territory of Australia have been dated back 28,000-years, making them the oldest in the country.

University of Southern Queensland archeologist Bryce Barker said Monday that found the rock in June last year but only recently had it dated at New Zealand’s University of Waikato radiocarbon laboratory.

He said the rock art was made with charcoal, so radiocarbon dating could be used to determine its age. Most rock art is made with mineral paint, so its age cannot be accurately measured.

“It’s the oldest unequivocally dated rock art in Australia” and among the oldest in the world, Barker said.

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Story: Rod McGuirk, AP | Photo: Bryce Barker/AP

Tags: Aboriginies, Australia, Charcoal, Oldest, Radiocarbon Dating, Rock Art