But the peninsula is also seeing increasing industrial activity, including a gas processing plant, a fertiliser factory and iron ore port facilities, making it the only place in Australia to feature on the World Monuments Fund's list of the most endangered sites.

Smalldon believes the rock art has suffered since mining took off in the Pilbara, which holds some of the richest mineral deposits on earth, in the 1960s.

"We had nearly one million panels of rock art," Smalldon said.

The mythical figures were used as part of Von Dunnycan's "Chariots of the Gods" and its claims regarding visitors from the cosmos. It is truly magnificent stuff, and part of the oldest living civilization's history. In that country they wouldn't have had much time for painting, just hunting and gathering, so the original works haven't all been lost. The mining companies will destroy them. One way or another.
Gotta look after the shareholders.