WALSH, GRAHAME L. — Australia's Greatest Rock Art

E.J. Brill - Robert Brown & Associates, Bathurst NSW 1988 First Edition 312 p., many full-page colour illustrations, extensive bibliogr., index, 26X36 cm. HARDCOVER: (Orig. red cloth with gilt spine, blind-stamped decoration, brown textured endpapers, dustjacket. UNREAD AS NEW) Of the continents, Australia's rock art riches stand out. Art has been created in different environments ranging from desert to reef, and the tropics to snow-covered mountains. Styles vary from region to region, environment to environment. Site recording is highlighting the extent and vast numbers of rock art sites in Australia. Realization of the antiquity, diversity and site numbers, tangible links with contemporary Aboriginal culture, and personal public experience with managed art sites are stimulating more public and scientific attention. This was the first book to attempt an overview of Australian rock art to the general reader, illustrating it in context. The reader is introduced to the subject with historic accounts of European discovery and attitudes to rock art. The antiquity, significance and purpose of rock art and its mythology is explained. Close liaison between the author and Aboriginal caretakers has ensured the avoidance of sensitive detail and the exact locations of art sites are not revealed.