WORLD'S LARGEST OUTDOOR ROCK ENGRAVING SITE UNDER THREAT

claire.smith@flinders.com.au and p.tacon@griffith.edu.au

The World Archaeological Congress calls on the Australian Government and
Western Australian Government to protect rock art and standing stones
threatened by industrial and other development within the Dampier
Archipelago and wider Pilbara region of Western Australia.

"The Burrup Peninsula is one of the largest complexes of rock art
engravings in the world," said Professor Claire Smith, President of the
World Archaeological Congress. "This complex of engravings needs to be
protected, not only for Australians but for the world at large."

"This complex of sites is of global significance. I find it astonishing
that the Western Australian and Federal governments are not acting to
protect this important body of rock art."

Woodside Petroleum and the Western Australian Government are planning to
turn part of this site into a natural gas production facility against
the recommendations of the archaeological community and contravening the
desires of some of the site`s Aboriginal custodians.