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Wurrwurrwuy stone pictures
Permanent Declaration
Place
These stone arrangements consist of a number of 'pictures' that depict Macassan boats, houses and other elements of their material culture, that are represented in outline form by small to medium laterite rocks. Locally referred to as 'stone pictures', these stone arrangements were probably made at the end of the 19th century. There are 47 independent stone arrangements and or features, made of laterite that exist at Wurrwurrwuy.

Wurrwurrwuy is representative of the Macassan period of contact with Arnhem Land Aboriginal people during the late Holocene. This period of contact had fundamental impacts on Aboriginal culture, society and material culture. The existence of Wurrwurrwuy is testament to the significance of the relationship between the Yolngu and the Macassans.
The stone arrangements or `pictures' at Wurrwurrwuy in north east Arnhem Land depict aspects of Macassan material culture, including sailing vessels and dwellings. Aspects of Yolngu Aboriginal culture are also depicted at Wurrwurrwuy. These stone pictures outline a record of economic and social contact between the Yolngu and Macassans that continued for several centuries. Seafarers from Macassar in Sulawesi came annually for trepang (dharripa), pearl and turtle shells. Wurrwurrwuy is an important tangible reminder to the Yolngu of their past connections with the Macassans. Wurrwurrwuy is the most complex and well preserved example of three known stone picture sites. This site type is unique to the north east Arnhem region of the Northern Territory.
15/06/2001
09/04/2002
Comment sought
10/08/2007
15/08/2007
HAC2001/328
Historic & Indigenous
East Arnhem Shire
Nominated as part of the review of the NTHR.
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR2.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR1.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR3.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR4.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR5.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR6.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
ViewWurrwurrwuyStonePictures 030206_LR7.jpgWurrwurrwuy stone pictures29/JUL/21
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Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument.pdf - 11/FEB/09
1 - 1
Further Information
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewWurrwurrwuy stone pictures.pdfBackground Historical Information21/MAR/11
1 - 1
Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
000 01044 0 EAST ARNHEM0001044 - - G
000 01692 2530MELVILLE BAYEAST ARNHEM0001692 - - Mineral Lease
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Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object