Rock Art Australia, a leading philanthropic organisation dedicated to protecting and advancing research into Australia’s rock art heritage, has appointed Professor Chris Clarkson as the Rock Art Australia Professorial Chair in Rock Art and Archaeology at Griffith University.
The appointment aligns with Griffith’s new ARC Centre of Excellence for Transforming Human Origins Research, where Professor Clarkson will hold a leadership role, with Rock Art Australia as a collaborating partner.
A Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities and researcher with Griffith’s Australian Research Centre for Human Evolution (ARCHE), Professor Clarkson is known for landmark work at Madjedbebe in western Arnhem Land.
In partnership with Mirarr Traditional Owners, his team uncovered evidence of human occupation dating to about 65,000 years ago, including early axes, seed-grinding tools and ochre processing, published in Nature.
“This Rock Art Australia fellowship and joint projects in Arnhem Land bring cutting-edge archaeological science together with Indigenous knowledge to understand how people responded to extreme climate change over tens of thousands of years,” Professor Clarkson said.
“These insights are directly relevant to Australia today, as we work with Traditional Owners to protect and manage nationally significant cultural landscapes and rock art under growing environmental and social pressure.
“By combining scientific research with community-led cultural knowledge, we’re creating new and inclusive narratives of Australia’s deep history on Manilikarr Country, on the eastern edge of Kakadu National Park.
“This work strengthens Indigenous capacity to manage Country, supports heritage preservation, and ensures all Australians can better understand and value the world’s oldest continuing cultural traditions.”
Professor Chris Clarkson
In this new role, he will lead research into Australia’s early history, strengthen Indigenous partnerships in rock art protection, and train future researchers.
“Professor Clarkson’s international research experience and outstanding reputation significantly increases ARCHE’s standing, including as a place for students, including Aboriginal peoples, to study and learn from one another,” said Professor Michael Petraglia, Director of ARCHE and the ARC Centre of Excellence for Transforming Human Origins Research.
Rock Art Australia is also partnering on a new ARC Linkage Project on post-glacial sea-level rise at Red Lily, co-designed with Traditional Owners and ranger groups, integrating archaeology, environment and cultural knowledge to support heritage management.
“Investing in this Professorial Chair demonstrates Rock Art Australia’s long-term commitment to advancing rigorous, world-class research alongside Indigenous-led stewardship of Australia’s rock art and cultural landscapes,” said Rock Art Australia Chair, Hon Ken Wyatt AM JP CitWA MAICD.
“At a time when these nationally significant places face growing environmental, development and social pressures, this investment helps ensure they are not only better understood, but effectively protected, responsibly managed, and sustained for future generations.
“The partnership with Griffith University and the ARC Centre of Excellence enables research at a scale, depth, and interdisciplinary reach that no single organisation could achieve alone. By bringing together cutting-edge scientific methods, Traditional Owner knowledge and on-Country collaboration, this initiative strengthens the evidence base required for informed decision-making.
“Just as importantly, it builds skills, leadership and enduring partnerships that support Indigenous authority and capacity to care for Country, ensuring cultural landscapes are safeguarded in ways that are both scientifically robust and culturally grounded.”
