Essential Insights
- Drones uncovered three previously unregistered Aboriginal rock shelters in Australia’s Blue Mountains, each containing red hand stencils and stone artifacts.
- LiDAR scans map the ground beneath dense tree cover, helping researchers spot likely shelters before surveying them on foot.
- The project pairs technology with Aboriginal knowledge, working alongside Dharug custodians to document and protect cultural heritage.
- Only about 10% of the region has been surveyed. Researchers plan to test the approach with Aboriginal communities in other parts of Australia.
Lasers reveal hidden shelters
Laser-equipped drones have helped archaeologists locate three previously unregistered Aboriginal rock shelters in Australia’s Blue Mountains. The shelters contain red hand stencils and stone artifacts. Using LiDAR, the drones send laser pulses through gaps in the tree cover and map the ground in 3D. Researchers then checked the likely sites on foot.
A faster search, with limits
The approach could help Aboriginal communities and heritage managers survey rugged terrain more efficiently. It also sharpened the recorded locations of six known shelters. Still, drones only flag possible sites,people must visit each location to confirm what it holds. Researchers have not yet tested the method beyond the Blue Mountains, where people have surveyed only about 10% of the region.
Technology supports cultural care
The project brought archaeological tools together with First Nations knowledge and leadership. That partnership matters: technology can support decisions about how communities document and protect Country, but it cannot replace cultural expertise. If future trials succeed, the method could help find sites before development, erosion or bushfires damage them. Each discovery also adds detail to a much longer human story—one tied to place, memory and care across generations.
Discover More Technology Insights
Dive deeper into the world of Space and its vast mysteries.
Access comprehensive resources on space and science by visiting NASA.
ScienceV1
