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The newest visual techniques are being used to record the oldest images in Australia.

Rock-art experts from UWA recently teamed up with researchers from the University of Southampton and the traditional owners to document rock-art in the Kimberley, using digital technology.

The University of Southampton's Archaeological Computing Research Group is a world leader in digital technologies in archaeology. A UWA Research Collaboration Grant was awarded to Associate Professor Martin Porr from the UWA Centre for Rock Art Studies and Management, Southampton's Dr Graeme Earle and the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation to test the technologies which are all non-intrusive and non-destructive.

"The project is a pilot study to estimate the viability and applicability of advanced digital recording and analysis technologies," Professor Porr said.

If it is considered viable, it could provide answers to the problems of some rock-art being inaccessible to tourists, either geographically or culturally, and the challenge of preserving art that is deteriorating.

"During our fieldwork in July, we confirmed that some of the culturally most important art already is under threat from irresponsible tourist behavior and other environmental impacts," he said.

"A long-term goal of this pilot project is the establishment of collaborative relationships for the development of procedures, records and tools that enable Traditional Owners to engage with rock-art in new ways and at the same time staying in control of the level of access that is given to different interested parties, including members of the community and tourists."

The technologies tested were: Super high resolution digital photography, where images were taken with a robotic camera-controller, which automatically stitches images into a seamless panorama; Reflectance Transformation Imaging (RTI), a system which enhances object surface properties, making ephemeral, difficult-to-photograph features visible; and Photogrammetry, a technique which enables the generation of 3D geometry data from digital images.

"The results are now being analysed and their viability assessed in relation to rock-art research, management and communication, together with Wunambal Gaambera Traditional Owners," Professor Porr said.

"The latest fieldwork took place in a very friendly and constructive atmosphere of a mutual exchange of knowledge. Researchers were able to explain and discuss their recording technologies and aims and also received healthy lessons in bush knowledge and Indigenous histories."