The Mudgegonga rock shelter is a large
rock overhang which contains over 400 Aboriginal wall paintings and stencils and evidence of prehistoric Aboriginal occupation. The site is located in north eastern Victoria near the town of
Mudgegonga, and is associated with rich artefact deposits that shows occupation of the region by 3,500 years ago and may have been used several thousand years before this. It has been described as one of the richest rock art sites in Victoria.
The paintings are ochre and
pipeclay on rock and include the only painting of the
potoroo species in Victoria. The artefact deposits associated with the shelter, which were composed predominantly of quartz, were subject to investigation by LaTobe university in the 1980s.
Plans to undertake conservation works at the site resulted in controversy when Gary Murray, co-chairman of the
Dhudhuroa Native Title Group, disputed claims of another Aboriginal group to make decisions about the site and lodged an application with Heritage Minister
Peter Garrett
Peter Robert Garrett (born 16 April 1953) is an Australian musician, environmentalist, activist and former politician.
In 1973, Garrett became the lead singer of the Australian rock band Midnight Oil. As a performer he is known for his signa ...
to protect the site from "a threat of injury and desecration" due to assessment and restoration activities being planned by Aboriginal Affairs Victoria.
Rock art restoration plan seen as desecration, Jewel Topsfield, ''The Age'' December 8, 2008
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See also
* Gariwerd
*Buchan Caves
The Buchan Caves are a group of limestone caves that include the Royal Cave and the Fairy Cave, located south-west of , in the East Gippsland region of the Australian state of Victoria. They have a total length of between , and six entrances.
...
References
* Josephine Flood, Archaeology of the Dreamtime, J. B. Publishing
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mudgegonga rock shelter
Rock art in Australia
History of Victoria (Australia)
Rock shelters in Australia