Archaeologists have solved the mystery of rock drawings found in a cave in Australia more than 50 years ago. It turned out that the drawings depict warships of invaders from what is now Indonesia. This suggests possible clashes between indigenous peoples and Indonesians in the past.
A study published in the Journal of Historical Archaeology found that the boats painted on the cave walls were identified as warships from the Moluccas Islands. This archipelago is located off the east coast of Indonesia and has contacts with the Aborigines of Australia.
Despite what was known about the Moluccan-Aboriginal contacts, these drawings have belligerent features and indicate the military status of the ships. Because of the level of detail in the drawings, scholars believe that the Aboriginal people who created them had a deep knowledge of the craft or actually sailed in these ships.
The existence of the rock paintings of warships suggests possible incidents of physical violence by the Moluccan people against native Australians. More research is needed, however, to find out exactly what the purpose of the cave paintings is.
It is interesting to note that the cave paintings are an important part of Australia’s cultural heritage and have attracted the attention of archaeologists and tourists from all over the world. They speak to the lives and customs of Australia’s indigenous peoples and help us better understand their history.
Rock art is not just unique art, but also a valuable resource for researchers. They help us learn about the life and culture of ancient peoples, their customs, religion and technology. In addition, they can help reconstruct historical events and unravel mysteries of the past.
Australia’s rock art is a treasure to be preserved and protected. They are an important part of Australia’s cultural heritage and should be available for study by researchers and history buffs.
