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An Account of Exploring the Kimberley |
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Plate 16 (2) / 17 (2)
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| Figure |
16(2)* , 17(2)* |
| Location |
Roe River |
GPS Coordinates
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Undisclosed |
| Site Number |
7 |
| Other Plates from this site |
N/A |
| Location Plate |
15(2)* |
Location
Description |
The art site is in an overhang on the southern side of the Roe River. It is on the outside of a large bend in the river, upstream of some large waterfalls. The river in this locality becomes enclosed in a deep gorge. The overhang is halfway up the gorge wall and some climbing is required to reach the art site. The overhang is not suitable for habitation, however it offers commanding views down the gorge and of the waterfalls.
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Comments
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This panel is on a vertical rock wall. The art is moderately well preserved. The figure furthest to the left is about 70cm long. |
| Interpretation |
The art in this panel is a dark red-brown colour. The panel comprises four animal-like figures and a human-like figure (furthest left). It is in plan view and has arms and legs bent at acute angles. The arms are very long in relation to body-size and thin. The feet have seven toes, the hands six fingers. The figure is painted in solid colour. The animal second from the left is in profile view and facing towards the right. It is difficult to determine what sort of animal it represents. It may not represent a real animal. The head and body are outlined. One arm and one leg are in view and filled with solid colour. The head is horse shaped and infilled with lines. The hair/ears point straight back from the back of the head. The body is pear shaped and the back of the body is infilled with curved, vertical lines. The arm is stretched straight out in front and the hands have four fingers. The leg is bent at an acute angle and the foot has at least 5 toes. The bird-like animal third from the left is in profile view and facing towards the right. Its body and head are filled with solid colour except for a triangular section on the chest and a round section representing an eye. The bird’s beak, body and wing have similar proportions to a cormorant. The feet are faded and no longer distinguishable. The wing is stretched out behind the bird. Vertical lines, representing feathers hang down from the top strut of the wing. The animal fourth from the left is similar to the animal third from the left. It is in profile view and facing towards the right. The species of animal is not recognisable. The animal is drawn in outline and has no parts filled with solid colour. The hair/ears point straight back from the back of the head. The body is barrel shaped and is divided into sections. These sections are the head, arm, torso, and leg. The head has a large eyes outlined, and drawn side by side. The arm in bent and the hand has not been preserved. The leg is bent at an acute angle and the foot has 5 very long toes. The body of the animal appears not to be infilled with any line work. The animal furthest to the right is difficult to interpret. It is filled with solid colour except for a section out of the middle. These paintings appear to be of the same style and may have been painted by one person or group. The paintings show many features, such as outlines, patterned body infill and solid infill to limbs, characteristic of the 'Irregular Infill Animal Period'. |
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