Rock art expert celebrates bid for Murujuga to gain World Heritage listing

A researcher from The University of Western Australia’s Centre for Rock Art Research + Management who contributed to the Federal Government’s application for World Heritage listing for the Burrup Peninsula was among those celebrating the successful nomination today at Murujuga, as it’s known to traditional owners in WA’s Pilbara region.

"Today marks an important step in the journey to inscribe the outstanding universal values of Murujuga, which will increase the recognition and protection for this important cultural land and seascape."

Professor Jo McDonald, Director of the UWA Centre of Rock Art Research

February 1 2023 was the deadline for the nomination, which was met, and the process now requires UNESCO to confirm that the dossier meets its requirements before the final assessment proceeds.

Professor Jo McDonald, Director of the UWA Centre of Rock Art Research, member of the Murujuga Heritage Committee and contributing author to the dossier, said it was a fantastic milestone and great recognition for the traditional owners of Murujuga, the Ngarda-Ngarli and the group’s aspirations for international recognition of their cultural connection to the country.

Image: Murujuga Heritage Committee CEO Peter Jeffries and UWA Centre for Rock Art Research Director Professor Jo McDonald visiting a significant site complex on Murujuga. Credit: Sarah de Koning.

“It’s been a privilege to collaborate on this dossier and to work with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation to provide a western science perspective to augment their Indigenous knowledge of this place,” Professor McDonald said.

“Today marks an important step in the journey to inscribe the outstanding universal values of Murujuga, which will increase the recognition and protection for this important cultural land and seascape.”

The Ngarda-Ngarli of the Pilbara coast, represented by Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation, have for decades sought this recognition, working tirelessly over the past three years with the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions, with whom they manage this important heritage estate.

Image: Senior Ranger Peter Cooper visiting a significant rock art complex in the archipelago. Credit: Jo McDonald.

While Murujuga’s rock art and stone structures are already on the National Heritage List and are afforded the highest protection of Australian heritage legislation, this new nomination is significant in that it will recognise Murujuga as a cultural landscape.

While a place only needs to meet one UNESCO Outstanding Universal Values criteria to be listed on the World Heritage List, the application seeks recognition under three criteria: a masterpiece of human creative genius; a unique cultural tradition which is living; and an outstanding example of human settlement, land or sea use representative of a culture, or human interaction with the environment.

Centre for Rock Art Research + Management researchers have worked on documenting these national and world heritage values for more than 20 years and have ongoing research collaborations with Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation which continue to provide overwhelming evidence for the listing of this exceptional heritage estate.  

Image: The Murujuga Circle of Elders providing cultural advice to UWA staff and students at the annual rock art field school. Credit: Amy Stevens