Fred MCarthy documented a series of Aboriginal engraving sites along a “crescentic ridge of rock” which extends for about 400m, which he collectively referred to as the “Arden Trig Station” group. Some of these had earlier been documented by W.D. Campbell, who (according to McCarthy) “recorded what he apparently selected as the most interesting figures at this site, and ignored the remainder”.
Man and Wife
standing next to each other: the man is 6' tall with a sword club across his waist while the woman is 4' tall.
Pair of Men
Two men, described as a "pair of unusual figures". Both are wearing girdles, one has arm-bands and the penis on both figures is pointing upwards
Echidnas
A pair of male and female echidnas in file.
Wallaby
A leaping wallaby in the middle of the platform, which is very weathered.
Shield and Boomerang
A clearly defined shield with line design and dotted decoration all over its surface, and a (returning) boomerang.
Man
A man in an "active pose"
Fish
Bream-like fish (above man)
Axe Grinding Grooves
Six parallel axe grinding grooves
Series 1 (Fig 8A) – Club and Fish
A sword club and fish; these two figures have not yet been re-located.
Series 2 (Fig 8B) – Club and AGGs
A small site in the middle of a long rock platform, which has six axe grinding grooves (AGGs) next to a waterhole. Nearby are engravings of a club, the posterior part of an echidna and the tail end of a fish.
Series 3 (Fig 8C) – Man and Fish
A group of figures representing a man with fish which are his totem (or which he hopes to catch). In this group there are a total of five fish (some hidden under leaf litter) as well as the man, an incomplete figure and and indeterminate elongate figure.
Series 4 (Fig 8E) – Shield and Fish
Shield and “poorly shaped fish along a steep ledge.
Series 5 (Fig 8E) – Men
Two men, described as a “pair of unusual figures”. Both are wearing girdles, one has arm-bands and the penis on both figures is pointing upwards
Series 6 (Fig 8F) – Man and Wife
A man and wife standing next to each other: the man is 6′ tall with a sword club across his waist while the woman is 4′ tall.
Series 7 (Fig 8G) – Sword Club and Fish
A sword club and fish, with a long, pointed head.
Series 8 (Fig 8H) – Echidnas and Roo
A pair of male and female echidnas in file. Near the echidnas is a very weathered wallaby or kangaroo.
Series 9 (Fig 8I) – Fish
A bream-like fish, with a long, conical head.
Series 10 (Fig 8J) – Shield and Boomerang
A clearly defined shield with line design and dotted decoration all over its surface, and a (returning) boomerang.
Series 11 (Fig 8K) – Sword Club
A sword club.
Summary of Arden Trig Aboriginal engraving sites
| Site Name | Reference | No. Motifs | Motifs | AHIMS ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Club and Fish | McCarthy Group 48 S1 | 2 | Club, fish | |
| Club and AGGs | McCarthy Group 48 S2 | 3 | Club, AGGs | TBC |
| Man and Fish | McCarthy Group 48 S3 Campbell Plate 19 Fig 11 | 8 | Man, fish | TBC |
| Shield and Fish | McCarthy Group 48 S4 | 3 | Shield, fish | |
| Men | McCarthy Group 48 S5 | 2 | Man | 45-6-0050 |
| Man and Wife | Mankind Group 48 S6 Campbell Plate 19 Fig 9 | 3 | Man, woman | 45-6-0045 |
| Sword club, fish | McCarthy Group 48 S7 Campbell Plate 19 Fig 9 | 2 | Club, fish | |
| Echidnas and Roo | McCarthy Group 48 S8 | 3 | Wallaby, echidna | 45-6-0835 |
| Fish | McCarthy Group 48 S9 Campbell Plate 19 Fig 9 | 1 | Fish | |
| Shield and Boomerang | McCarthy Group 48 S10 | 5 | Shield, boomerang | 45-6-0051 |
| Club | McCarthy Group 48 S11 | 1 | Sword club |
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