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grains stored in wasp nests found over
the paintings. Using this method, it was
possible to date the underlying Bradshaw
figure to over 20,000 years of age.
Another approach rests on the diagnostic
evaluation of the few animal images
found alongside Bradshaw figures.
Experts came to the conclusion that
some of these images portray Australian
megafauna that died out roughly 45,000
years ago. These two indirect methods
suggest that the images were created
during the Pleistocene, and thus rank
among the oldest examples of human art.
Eine systematische Ausgrabung ist
bisher in den schwer zugänglichen
Fundstellen unterblieben. Dennoch gibt
es seit 1990 immer wieder Versuche,
über indirekte Methoden wenigstens
ein Zeitfenster festzulegen. Dazu
gehört die Altersbestimmung mittels
Thermolumineszenz von Sandkörnern,
die in Wespennester eingelagert
sind, welche sich über den Gemälden
befinden. Damit konnte das Alter der
darunter liegenden Bradshaw-Figur
auf mindestens 20 000 Jahre bestimmt
werden. Ein weiterer Ansatz ruht auf
der diagnostischen Auswertung der
wenigen Tierdarstellungen, welche sich
im Zusammenhang mit Bradshaw-
Figuren finden. Experten sind dabei
zum Schluss gekommen, dass es sich
bei einigen dieser Darstellungen um
Tiere der australischen Megafauna
handeln muss, die vor ungefähr 45 000
Jahren ausgestorben sind. Diese beiden
indirekten Methoden weisen auf eine
Entstehung der Bilder im Pleistozän hin
und reihen sie damit ein in die ältesten
Zeugnisse menschlicher Kunst.
Radiocarbon (C14) Dating
The rock paintings are
always found on rock
formations that are
exposed to weathering and
where there is a constant
exchange of carbon with the
environment. C14 dating
is therefore impossible.
Furthermore, there is no
suitable material in the
pigment.
Uranium-Thorium Dating
Measuring uranium decay
products in mineral deposits
that cover the paintings
in order to establish a
minimum age has thus far
proved unsuccessful.
Thermoluminescence
Dating
With this method, stored
energy in the form of light in
the crystalline structure of
the minerals is released by
heating and then measured.
This makes it possible to
estimate how long the
mineral was enclosed. R. G.
Roberts used this method to
determine the age of a grain
of sand encased in a wasp
nest that was attached to
a Bradshaw figure from
the complex phase. He
calculated the minimum age
of the figure to be roughly
18,000 years (R. G. Roberts
et al. 1997, Nature 387).
These finding have been
recently confirmed (J. Ross
et al. 2016, PLOS ONE).
Diagnostic Objects
Some Bradshaw paintings
depict animals. These have
been identified by experts.
In some cases, the paintings
depict animals that
became extinct in Australia
over 40,000 years ago
(J. Pettigrew 2008, Antiquity
82).
Artefacts
No systematic excavations
have taken place. Stone
tools are abundant near the
galleries.
The few scientific studies
suggest that the Bradshaw
figures are at least 20,000
years old, and possibly up to
40,000 years old.