Blue Mountains drone archaeology uncovers ancient Indigenous rock shelters

Digital archaeologist Dr. Jacob Bongers from the University of Sydney has used drone-mounted LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology to discover three new Aboriginal rock shelters within the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage site.

The LiDAR technology allows researchers to penetrate dense tree canopies to create highly accurate 3D maps of the terrain. These newly identified sites contain stone artefacts and red hand stencils, indicating continuous Indigenous occupation spanning millennia.

Archaeologist and Gomeroi man Wayne Brennan noted that identifying these undisturbed cultural sites could support efforts to extend the Blue Mountains’ UNESCO listing to include its Indigenous culture, alongside its existing recognition for biodiversity and prehistoric species.