User talk:Ebbsey

Bradshaw origins

Hey Ebbsey, great work on the Bradshaw article, it was in desperate need of expansion. I was wondering what your thoughts are on the 'deer' painting and the Bradshaw Foundation's views regarding the origins of the Bradshaws. - HappyWaldo (talk) 16:07, 22 November 2012 (UTC)

Thanks HappyWaldo. In regard to the ‘deer painting’, I don’t personally advocate that interpretation. The deer interpretation is based on that art panel alone and does not take into account other similar rock art scenes in the region. The related rock art suggests the ‘deer’ are in fact genuflecting humans wearing headdresses, this idea has been supported by David Welch in his 2012 edition of Basedow’s “the Australian Aboriginals” on page 364. The Bradshaw Foundations website is quite flash and from the looks of it they profess to be a learning resource focusing on archaeology and anthropology. In regards to their views on the Bradshaw art it appears to me that they conflate science and mystery to create an interesting story for tourists. I find myself further supporting this notion when I see in the foundations “Australia Rock Art Archive” most of the researchers are not rock art experts, archaeologist or anthropologists but explorers or tourists offering popular accounts of their exotic holidays -- to me this does not seem to be an appropriate learning resource. Ebbsey (talk) 05:59, 23 November 2012 (UTC)

Thanks for the insight. Is there any evidence that suggests some of the Bradshaws are among the world's oldest rock paintings? I added a Bradshaws pic to the Culture of Australia's "Painting and sculpture" section, not sure if the caption needs to be changed. I must admit, I find some of the more "exotic" theories surrounding the Bradshaws attractive, but the truth is more important, and the Bradshaws are attractive enough in and of themselves. - HappyWaldo (talk) 08:25, 23 November 2012 (UTC)