Rock art sites
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There are many outstanding examples of historic Aboriginal rock art around Uluru. Rock art is an important historic and scientific record of human occupation of the region. You can view rock art in several rock shelters along the Mala Walk and Kuniya Walk to Mutitjulu Waterhole.
Anangu have always used paintings for teaching and storytelling. Today they create drawings in the sand and paint their bodies for ceremonies, but have largely stopped using rock paintings to share their stories. Today they use a range of different materials, using canvas and the full colour palette to paint traditional stories.
Anangu artists use the same symbols and meanings that have been used by their ancestors for many generations. They continue to pass on Tjukurpa, their traditional law and culture, through their paintings.
A common symbol you may see in Anangu art is the circle which usually represents a place such as a waterhole or a camping place. A 'u' shape usually means a person - literally a person sitting in the sand will make a 'u' shape with their bodies.
