Welcome to the homepage of the Australian Rock Art Research Association, Inc.

AURA (the Australian Rock Art Research Association, Inc.) was founded in October 1983 and within five years became the world’s largest rock art organisation. AURA’s membership of rock art scholars is dedicated to the study and preservation of rock art in Australia and the world, and to the promotion of indigenous custodianship of traditional indigenous cultural heritage. AURA also promotes general awareness and appreciation of this heritage, in Australia and elsewhere, and high research standards in the field of palaeoart studies.
AURA is a founding member of the International Federation of Rock Art Organisations (IFRAO).

To open any of the pages of AURANET please click on one of the items in the above menu.

Aborigines at Pilbara petroglyph site

Aboriginal initiates at Pilbara petroglyph site

Petroglyphs at Umm-Sanman, Jubbah, Saudi Arabia

Neolithic petroglyphs at Umm-Sinman, Jubbah, Saudi Arabia

Pictograms of the mighty Rainbow Serpent (lower right) with some of her babies

Pictograms of the mighty Rainbow Serpent (lower right) with some of her babies

 

View the Constitution of AURA
View the contents of Rock Art Research.

The second edition of the standard handbook of rock art studies, Rock art science: the scientific study of palaeoart is now available.

ROCK ART BOOKS from AURA

 

AURANET LIBRARY

The AURANET LIBRARY is located here. This study resource forms the main part of AURANET. Please browse, download and use. To cite, please quote the URL unless alternative bibliographical information is given on the relevant page.

 

The R. G. Bednarik Library is a substantial repository of refereed papers by the moderator of AURANET, and features hundreds of PDFs. Please visit and download.

 

AURANET is listed and referenced by the International Center for Scientific Research, the ISI Web of Knowledge, the Web of Science, Current Contents Connect and Current Web Contents of Thomson Scientific.

Robert G. Bednarik

The Rock Art Preservation Fund is a registered charity

Immovable Indigenous heritage, nearly all of which occurs in the form of rock art, is under severe threat from such factors as visitor pressure, natural deterioration and development, but most of all from poor planning and inadequate information about such material. We endeavour to facilitate the preservation of this irreplaceable cultural treasure by any means possible, including the support of research, through conducting specific public campaigns and political lobbying, through education and through the preparation of printed and digital information material. Funds are used exclusively for these purposes, under the direct supervision of the International Federation of Rock Art Organisations (IFRAO).

How will the funds be used?

Funds are used exclusively in conducting public campaigns, educational programs and research into the causes and amelioration of rock art deterioration. They may also be used in the creation of educational material, and in representations to such international bodies as UNESCO, the World Heritage Office or the World Monuments Fund. None of the funds is used for administration or salaries, office expenses or any other incidental costs.

Key areas of expenditure

Conducting meetings with international bodies and senior politicians or decision-makers to influence policies.
Producing material for public education, in both printed and digital formats.

Holding free public exhibitions and conducting conferences.

  • Facilitating reconciliation through the repatriation of cultural heritage under threat.
  • Lobbying to influence politicians and major developers to avoid the destruction of traditional cultural heritage, particularly rock art and stone arrangements.
  • Research into the deterioration of rock art and the development of methods of palliative intervention.