New peer-reviewed research released today by the Murujuga Rock Art Monitoring Program (MRAMP) provides the clearest evidence to date that historic sulphur emissions from nearby industrial complexes are a likely cause of damage to the ancient rock art at Murujuga in Western Australia's Pilbara region. The site, home to an estimated 1 million to 2 million petroglyphs spanning at least 50,000 years, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2025.
The third annual report from MRAMP, a government-funded research effort involving more than 30 multidisciplinary scientists, examined changes in rock surfaces across the Burrup Peninsula and Dampier Archipelago. Writing in The Conversation, researchers including Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation Director Belinda Churnside and Curtin University professors Ben Mullins, Katy Evans, and others detailed how the study gives a clearer picture of what is driving degradation.
"This work gives us a clearer picture than ever before of what's driving changes observed in the rock surfaces," the authors stated. The research links historic sulphur emissions—likely from liquefied natural gas (LNG) processing and other industrial operations in the area—to chemical reactions affecting the rock substrates that hold the engravings.
Concerns about industrial pollution degrading the rock art have been raised for years. A May 2025 report by the ABC highlighted worries that pollutants were accelerating weathering of the petroglyphs, which hold deep cultural, spiritual, and environmental knowledge for the Ngarda-Ngarli Traditional Owners.
The MRAMP report does not resolve every question—the ecosystem is complex, and monitoring is ongoing. The research is independently peer-reviewed by international experts and written solely by the researchers, not by industry or government. The program aims to inform how the sacred landscape can be protected into the future alongside existing industrial infrastructure.
The findings come at a sensitive time: Murujuga's UNESCO listing brought renewed global attention to the tension between preserving ancient cultural heritage and maintaining the resource processing that drives the regional economy. The Pilbara hosts some of Australia's largest LNG export facilities.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- This is the strongest scientific link yet connecting specific industrial emissions to heritage damage, potentially forcing regulators to reassess pollution controls around World Heritage sites.
- For Ngarda-Ngarli Traditional Owners, the research validates longstanding concerns and may strengthen their case for stricter environmental protections.
- The findings could set a precedent for other industrial-adjacent heritage sites globally, where similar pollution-driven degradation may be occurring unmonitored.
Background
Murujuga (the Burrup Peninsula) contains one of the world's densest concentrations of rock art, with petroglyphs documenting human-environment relationships over tens of thousands of years. Industrial development began in the 1960s, accelerating with North West Shelf natural gas projects in the 1980s. In July 2025, UNESCO inscribed the Murujuga Cultural Landscape on the World Heritage List, acknowledging its "outstanding universal value." However, conflicts between heritage protection and industrial activity have persisted. The Western Australian government established MRAMP in 2022 to provide independent scientific monitoring. The program's first two reports documented initial findings; this third report consolidates evidence on atmospheric pollution pathways.
Key Perspectives
[Ngarda-Ngarli Traditional Owners (Murujuga Aboriginal Corporation)]: They hold that the rock art is not just archaeological but living cultural heritage. The research confirms their oral histories and observations of change. They seek stronger protective measures, including potential limits on emissions from nearby plants.
[Industry (LNG operators such as Woodside, Chevron, etc.)]: Companies have previously argued that emissions are within regulatory limits and that natural weathering processes are responsible. They may question whether historic pollution is still the primary driver versus ongoing operations, and will likely emphasize the need for further study before policy changes.
[Scientists/Program Researchers]: The MRAMP team stresses the complexity of the system and the need for continued monitoring. They note that understanding the full picture takes time and are careful not to overstate findings, but the data increasingly points to sulphur emissions as a key factor.
[Critics/Skeptics]: Some may argue that the study does not definitively prove causation or that the scale of damage is not yet catastrophic. Others might contend that shutting down industry would devastate the local economy without guaranteeing rock art preservation, given natural weathering.
What to Watch
- The Western Australian government's response: will it tighten emission limits or require mitigation measures (e.g., scrubbers, buffer zones)?
- Next MRAMP annual report (2026): expect data on whether recent emission reductions are slowing damage.
- Potential legal or political challenges from industry if new regulations are proposed.
- UNESCO's reaction: the World Heritage Committee may impose conditions or monitoring requirements as part of the listing.
- Broader public and international attention: could this affect Australia's reputation as a heritage steward and exporter of LNG?