Drone LiDAR Uncovers Three Unregistered Aboriginal Rock Shelters in Australian Bushland

Researchers used drone-mounted LiDAR to locate three Aboriginal rock shelters in the Blue Mountains that had not previously been registered. The sites contain red hand stencils and stone artifacts, which were documented in collaboration with the Dharug Custodian Aboriginal Corporation. The team says the approach could make archaeological surveys of hard-to-reach terrain faster and more practical, helping protect cultural heritage. Further work will test whether the technique works across other Australian landscapes.