KFA research
The Kimberley Foundation Australia (KFA) purpose is to promote scientific research into the rock art of the Kimberley and, in conjunction with the indigenous people of the region, ensure it is preserved and recognised for its national and international significance.
To do this effectively KFA administers a research program that includes a variety of projects. These research projects advance the understanding of the duration, nature and context of indigenous cultural heritage in the Kimberley.
KFA’s research program spans key scientific disciplines. These include rock art, archaeology (both closed and open sites), palaeoecology, palaeoclimatology, geochronology, palaeolinguistics and, more recently, geomicrobiology.
KFA’s interests extend beyond detailed study of rock art to encompass several larger themes:
-
The migration of humans, through southern Asia to Australia, more than 50,000 years ago and probably on subsequent occasions
-
The culture and social organisation of these first inhabitants, reflected in rock art, and in other cultural artefacts at archaeological excavation sites
-
Effects of climatic fluctuations on the flora, fauna, landscape and peoples of the Kimberley, including the 120 metre rise in sea level since the last glacial maximum about 18-20,000 years ago]
-
The impact of humans, including their fire burning practices, on the fauna, flora and landscape of the Kimberley, and
-
Early occupants’ adaptation to environmental challenges. This includes internal migrations, occupancy patterns, the determining role of fresh water availability, and linguistic diversity.
