Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1981, is taking significant steps to protect its invaluable rock art through an Indigenous-led project. The initiative, driven by Bininj leaders and researchers from four Australian universities, aims to create a conservation management plan for the culturally rich sites at Ubirr, where thousands of rock art paintings tell stories spanning at least 18,000 years.
Tourism is vital to Kakadu, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, particularly during the dry season. Yet, the twin challenges of increasing visitor numbers and climate change pose serious threats to Ubirr and other cultural heritage sites. In response to these concerns, the project was initiated in 2019 at the behest of Alfred Nayinggul, Senior Traditional Owner of the Mirrar Erre and Manilakarr clan, alongside other Traditional Owners.
The project emphasizes the ongoing cultural responsibility of the Traditional Owners for the protection of their heritage. Nayinggul states, “Yes, [Ubirr] is a place with many rock paintings. And the tourists all go there to see them […] But long ago, our ancestors lived there. And so those paintings belong to us. We care for those paintings.”
Cultural Heritage Under Threat
The management of Kakadu’s cultural heritage has become increasingly precarious. Issues such as tourists straying from designated paths, littering, and, in rare cases, vandalism compromise sacred sites. Moreover, natural disasters threaten the integrity of the rock art. Powerful cyclones, prevalent during the wet season from November to March, inundate sites, while uncontrolled wildfires during the late dry season from August to October can damage the sandstone and pigments critical to the paintings.
To address these threats, the project commenced with an on-Country workshop in March 2021. This collaborative effort involved senior Traditional Knowledge holders from the Bunitj and Manilakarr Clans, alongside Njanjma rangers and Kakadu National Park rangers. The goal was to document the cultural knowledge, concerns, and aspirations of the Traditional Owners concerning Ubirr.
Cultural Values Mapping
Utilizing a method called “cultural values mapping,” the team sought to gather intangible elements associated with the rock art. Unlike traditional mapping techniques that focus on physical features, this approach captures stories, spiritual connections, and cultural significance. Traditional Owners sketched directly onto satellite images, marking sacred sites, traditional living areas, resource zones, and areas at risk from environmental damage and tourism.
This mapping resulted in a collection of spatial knowledge banks, which will guide future cultural heritage management strategies for Ubirr. Cultural information was documented in both the local Kunwinjku language and English, with oral histories captured in a short film highlighting the significance of Ubirr to Bininj.
Additionally, fieldwork conducted by the East Alligator daluk (female) ranger team provided opportunities for younger rangers to learn from their elders. This hands-on experience included documenting rock art and cultural sites, creating a baseline for Kakadu rangers’ annual monitoring programs.
Innovative Digital Tools
To further protect and educate about these cultural sites, the project produced three-dimensional models of key locations. These models serve as educational resources for Traditional Custodians who may face challenges accessing their Country. However, concerns arose among some Bininj team members that digitization might reduce the significance of cultural sites to mere data points.
To address this, the team employed gaming software, specifically Unreal Engine 5, to create an interactive environment that incorporates 3D data alongside elements like water, weather, vegetation, and soundscapes. This approach preserves the cultural context of the rock art, providing a dynamic digital representation of the Kakadu wetlands.
A Model for Future Initiatives
The Indigenous-led mapping approach demonstrates significant potential for application in other land and cultural heritage management contexts, including national parks and Indigenous Protected Areas. This project exemplifies how modern digital technologies can be adapted to respect Indigenous protocols while producing scientifically valid results.
The outcomes from this initiative contribute to the growing body of work advocating for digital technologies that are culturally sensitive and aligned with Indigenous worldviews. Funding for this research has been provided by various entities, including the Australian Research Council, the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, and the University of Sydney.
Through these efforts, the project not only aims to protect Kakadu’s cultural heritage but also to empower Indigenous voices in the ongoing stewardship of their land and history.
