Sheehys Creek Shelter

Summary: A small Aboriginal rock art shelter with numerous figures in charcoal and red ochre, and a set of axe grinding grooves.

  • Site type: Axe Grinding Groove (AGG), Cave Painting
  • Number of motifs: 20
  • Number of AGGs: 8
  • Motif/s: Kangaroo, Koradji, Man, Snake
  • Quality: 4/5
  • Condition of site: Good
  • Year first recorded: 2017

This small and unassuming shelter along a low cliff-line contains some interesting Aboriginal rock art. On the ceiling are multiple figures in charcoal and red ochre.

1X3A6459 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter

The largest figure appears to be a man with upraised arms.

1X3A6479 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6479 LR lbk Sheehys Creek Shelter

A sinuous line – perhaps a snake – is drawn across the charcoal figures.

1X3A6463 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6463 LR lbk Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6463 LR yre Sheehys Creek Shelter

The snake-like figure ends near another charcoal human figure.

1X3A6445 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6445 LR lds Sheehys Creek Shelter

Another charcoal motif appears to depict a wallaby or kangaroo.

1X3A6448 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter

Several human figures in red ochre may represent koradji (medicine men) – although these motifs are normally only depicted singularly.

1X3A6466 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6466 LR lre Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6477 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6477 LR yre Sheehys Creek Shelter

In front of the cave are at least eight grinding grooves, which (unusually) are on an elevated rock surface under the dripline of the shelter.

1X3A6438 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6491 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
1X3A6492 LR Sheehys Creek Shelter
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