Gosford Glyphs, Archaeological site in Kariong, Australia
Gosford Glyphs is an archaeological site in Kariong, New South Wales, Australia, located on sandstone walls within Brisbane Water National Park. The rock surfaces display boats, animals, human figures, and geometric patterns in a style resembling Egyptian hieroglyphs, distributed across two separate rock formations.
Surveyor Alan Dash documented the rock carvings for the first time in 1975 during a survey in the national park. The discovery triggered debates about the age and origin of the symbols between researchers and local communities.
The name refers to the Egyptian script style carved into the rock, mixing symbols from different centuries. Visitors can view the carvings up close in daylight and examine the craftsmanship of each symbol.
Walking paths lead through bushland to the rock formations, with the final section covering uneven terrain. Guided tours offer explanations of individual carvings and the scientific context of the site.
Geological studies show that erosion patterns in the sandstone progress faster than in nearby Aboriginal petroglyphs. These older carvings display stronger weathering, even though they date back less than three centuries.
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