WALLED ROCK SHELSTERS AND A CACHED SPEAR IN THE PILBARA REGION, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 1 decade ago

Abstract
In late 1977, our attention was drawn to walled rock shelters in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia where a spear was discovered behind an intact wall section. Although the age of the spear is not firmly established, we suggest that it is of postcontact origin. This paper considers walled rock shelters and their relationship to various other Aboriginal stone structures reported throughout Australia. We also describe the spear, and compare it to other pieces in the ethnographic collection of the Western Australian Museum. Finally, we suggest a possible use for walled rock shelters.