KNN | Indigenous Heritage and Archaeology | October 25, 2026
Researchers from the University of Sydney’s Vere Gordon Childe Centre and the Australian Museum have identified three previously unregistered Aboriginal rock shelters in Australia’s Blue Mountains using drone-based LiDAR, according to a university announcement dated October 14.
Looking beneath the forest canopy
LiDAR, or light detection and ranging, sends laser pulses toward a landscape and measures their return. Mounted on drones, it can help researchers map difficult terrain and identify features that warrant careful ground investigation. The new findings demonstrate how remote sensing can complement archaeological fieldwork without treating every unusual landscape feature as proof of a settlement.
Why the discovery matters
Rock shelters are important places for understanding long histories of Aboriginal presence and land use. A previously unregistered shelter is not necessarily newly discovered by Traditional Owners, whose knowledge of Country can precede archaeological recording by generations. Archaeological teams must also consider cultural heritage protections and appropriate engagement with Aboriginal communities.
The university’s announcement reports three previously unregistered shelters; the reporting does not establish their ages or the presence of specific artifacts at each site. Those questions require further investigation and consultation.