A major cultural burning initiative in remote country has unearthed previously undocumented artwork galleries within sandstone escarpments on Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL).
Rangers from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service collaborated with Balnggarrawarra, Buubu Gujin, and Waarnthurr-iin Aboriginal Corporations on the Yugu Minthil Cultural Burn program.
The discovery of previously undocumented artwork galleries and art shelters can help redefine Queensland's ancient cultural history.
The remote sites will remain undisclosed to give Traditional Owners the opportunity to consider their significance, connect with Country and study the cultural heritage.
QPWS ranger Josh Smith said the collaboration and planned burn program was vital to the ongoing protection of cultural heritage across Cape York.
"This work supports the ongoing care and protection of cultural sites across the Cooktown Management Unit, ensuring these important places are looked after for generations to come," Mr Smith said.
Director of Waarnthurr-iin Aboriginal Corporation Steven Harrigan said the on-ground planned burn exercise helped protect cultural heritage sites.
"I'm really proud to be listened to and given the opportunity to work on Country and be out there," Mr Harrigan said.
"It has been a long time of waiting, but finally we are out here given a chance and being respected."
Across Muundhi (Jack River), Melsonby (Gaarraay), Biniir, and Ngaynggarr National Parks (CYPAL), approximately 500 hectares were treated through cultural assessments, brush cutting, walk-through ignition and ground-based burning.
These efforts formed part of the broader Southern Cape fire program, which successfully treated 63,000 hectares across 227,686 hectares of protected estate.
The cultural burns delivered:
- Precise, fine-scale protection for sensitive cultural places through early season burns
- Enhanced understanding of fire behaviour, supporting safer and more effective aerial burns
- Stronger cultural connection and knowledge transfer for Indigenous Rangers
