Cultural heritage, places, material and Cultural heritage, places, material and knowledge

Cultural heritage, places, material and knowledge

Under Tjukurpa, Aṉangu have always been connected with Uluṟu. According to Aṉangu, ancestral beings created the plants, animals and features of the landscape, and Aṉangu are the descendants of these ancestors that are responsible for protecting and managing country. Knowledge associated with fulfilling these responsibilities has been passed down from generation to generation through Tjukurpa. Strong spiritual associations and interactions between Aṉangu and country continue today, and it is this ongoing relationship with the land that led to the park being included on the World Heritage List for its cultural values. Therefore, looking after country in accordance with Tjukurpa is a primary responsibility shared by the Director and Aṉangu in jointly managing the park.

The physical aspects of Aṉangu cultural heritage, such as sacred sites, rock art and archaeological material, are all also part of the park’s living cultural landscape. The park contains significant physical evidence of one of the oldest continuous living cultures in the world. Sites of significance include rock art sites, stone arrangements, rock engravings and rock shelters containing archaeological deposits. Some of the work undertaken to care for significant sites include protecting rock art by installing visitor viewing platforms, controlling erosion, removing weeds and realigning walking tracks away from sensitive areas. A register of sites of special significance has been established in consultation with Aṉangu, the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority and the Central Land Council. Figure 8 shows some of the significant sites and Aṉangu place names at Uluṟu.