A story in the Lohasian tells of a legal battle between an Aboriginal community in Australia and government and mining sources that want to develop land which holds an incredible amount of rock engravings.
Archaeologists estimate that the rock art of the area comprises anywhere between 500,000 and 1 million engravings – encompassing the worlds largest collection of engravings and petroglyphs. The site and the engraving pre date both Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. While Mr Garrett acknowledges the economic potential of industry in the area, which generates thousands of jobs and billions for the Australian economy, he said that environment and heritage values must be considered at the “front end” of any development proposals to minimise further destruction.
The Aboriginal community set up a corporation that might give them some ability to control any development that happens, but they face quite a battle against corporations that have much more resources to back their efforts.
It would be a sin to see the history and heritage of the land overcome by developer’s interests.
No related posts.
Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.
I understand that the en graved rock does NOT contain or cover ore, which is in the swales between the rock-art rocks. So the ore could be removed without endangering the engraved rocks, once the archaeology has been done.
One would hope that Australia would avoid the same mistakes that we have made here in the USA. Apparently, greed and short-term profits for the few, but powerful, may override the long term benefits for the many that will inherit our mess.