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CATEGORISING CATFISH, JEWFISH AND EEL MOTIFS IN LAURA (QUINKAN) ROCK ART, CAPE YORK PENINSULA, AUSTRALIA.
- Source :
- Rock Art Research; Jan2024, Vol. 41 Issue 1, p28-40, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Fish motifs in Aboriginal rock art of the Laura area (Cape York Peninsula, Queensland, Australia) include a heterogenous group that has been imprecisely classified by rock art researchers. By analysing motif attributes, style and contexts (including natural populations), we characterised three categories: fork-tailed catfish (Neoarius paucus), eel-tailed catfish (Neosilurus spp.) and eel (Anguilla reinhardti). We label the categories with the local names 'catfish', 'jewfish' and 'eel'. The catfish cohort has a relatively naturalistic style, while the eel exhibits anatomical trends of eels, distinctive arrangements, and stylistic overlaps with jewfish that may denote shared meanings. Ambiguity is confirmed as a cultural value and communication mode of the rock art system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 08130426
- Volume :
- 41
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Rock Art Research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 178901848
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.56801/rar.v41i1.271