WHEN: Tuesday 6 October 2026, 5:30pm to 7:30pm
WHERE: South Australian Museum, North Tce
COST: FREE - booking essential
Rock Art Australia invites you to attend a public lecture presented by Professor Chris Clarkson on First Peoples and Rising Seas: Rewriting Australia’s Deep History.
Northern Australia, particularly Arnhem Land, preserves some of the richest rock art and longest archaeological records in the country. During the last Ice Age (18-22,000 years ago), lower sea levels exposed a vast continental shelf linking northern Australia to New Guinea and extending toward Southeast Asia. As the climate warmed, rapid sea-level rise flooded this landscape, transforming coastlines over relatively short timescales.
Current research in western Arnhem Land, supported by Rock Art Australia and conducted in partnership with Manilakarr Traditional Owners, Njanjma Rangers and the Northern Land Council, investigates how people adapted to these shifting environments using archaeological, environmental, and rock art evidence.
The special welcome will also provide an opportunity to meet Rock Art Australia CEO Fiona Menzies and hear about their exciting national research program.
This free event is hosted by Rock Art Australia in partnership with the South Australian Museum.
Booking is essential. Reserve your place by Wednesday 30 September.
About Professor Chris Clarkson
Professor Chris Clarkson is the Rock Art Australia Chair in Rock Art & Archaeology Griffith University. He specialises in early modern human dispersal, lithic technology, and the archaeology of Southeast Asia and Australia. His research integrates a range of archaeological sciences to investigate the timing, routes, and adaptations of the first Homo sapiens populations in the Indo-Pacific region. He has led major multidisciplinary projects across Australia and Indonesia in collaboration with Traditional Owners and international partners.
