Cole, Noelene, Musgrave, Christine, George, Roseanne, and Wallis, Lynley (2024) Categorising catfish, jewfish and eel motifs in Laura (Quinkan) rock art, Cape York Peninsula, Australia. Rock Art Research, 41 (1). pp. 28-40.

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Abstract

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.

Item ID:	82357
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	0813-0426
Keywords:	catfish; jewfish; eel; Laura/Quinkan; motif; classification
Copyright Information:	Copyright © 2024 The Netherlands Press - All Rights Reserved.
Funders:	Australian Research Council
Projects and Grants:	ARC Linkage Project (LP190100194)
Date Deposited:	04 Mar 2024 00:50
FoR Codes:	45 INDIGENOUS STUDIES > 4501 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, language and history > 450101 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander archaeology @ 50% 43 HISTORY, HERITAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGY > 4301 Archaeology > 430101 Archaeological science @ 50%
SEO Codes:	21 INDIGENOUS > 2104 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture > 210405 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander places of significance @ 50% 21 INDIGENOUS > 2104 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture > 210407 Conserving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage and culture @ 50%
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