Looking after bulurru: Protecting the scientific and cultural values of an Aboriginal rock art complex in northern Queensland

Abstract

ABSTRACTFor the Bulwandji Traditional Owners of Cape York Peninsula, Bunda Bibanji (also known as “Bare Hill”) is part of bulurru – the Storytime, or the time of creation (Bottoms 1999: 1). Bunda Bibanji is the place where the culture hero, Kunandooran, turned into rock after his death by fire; it forms part of a complex cultural landscape. Bunda Bibanji also contains the largest rock art complex in the Cairns hinterland and has significant research potential for both rock art studies and understanding the occupation history of the region. Until recently, management of the site complex has focused on visitor management and its tangible scientific values, rather than its social and intangible cultural values. However, a major shift in management in recent years has aimed to enhance the Aboriginal social values of the place, potentially placing its scientific values at risk. This paper explores the tensions between managing scientific and cultural values at the Bunda Bibanji complex from both archaeological and Traditional Owner perspectives.