Rock Art and Ritual Function: The Northern Running Figures of western Arnhem Land

Abstract

This paper explores the distribution, abundance and diversity of Northern Running Figure (NRF) rock art motifs and their archaeological contexts from two study areas in western Arnhem Land, Jabiluka and Red Lily. Motif design elements in the NRF style such as the inclusion of sex and material culture are indices used to explore social function in NRF art. The relationship between NRF archaeological contexts (i.e., distribution, abundance, diversity and overall rock art site contexts) and the variables of sex and material culture are explored via statistical analysis and suggest that NRF art performed a ritual function in the culture(s) of ancient Arnhem Land peoples.