More than 40,000 years ago, Aboriginal people of Murujuga began carving art into stone on the Burrup peninsula in Western Australia.
The cultural landscape is nominated for world heritage listing and a major international conference in Sydney is showcasing the petroglyphs.
Heritage experts from across the globe are gathering for the International Council on Monuments and Sites' General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, or GA2023.
More than 150 events are planned over the 10-day conference including site visits and workshops.
Council president Tracy Ireland said the conference presented an opportunity for experts to discuss how communities and heritage practitioners could alleviate the impacts of climate change.
“It will provide a platform for traditional owners from around Australia and First Nations communities from across the globe," she said.
"It will also foster understanding of how conservation of heritage places is part of building resilient communities and ensuring the sustainability of the world’s scarce resources."
Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek will speak at a session on the Murujuga Cultural Landscape World Heritage nomination that will bring together Indigenous custodians, researchers and heritage managers.
They will discuss how First Nations culture and science have been woven into the nomination and how to manage potential industrial impacts.
Wiradyuri/Kamilaroi artist and researcher Jonathan Jones will lead a Caring for Country workshop exploring how Aboriginal communities in southeast Australia are preserving and cherishing knowledge.
A heritage exposition will host more than 40 exhibitors and a trade fair with conservation practitioners.
Dharawal/Dunghutti artist Dakota Dixon wants attendees to help create a giant Aboriginal flag, symbolising the fusion of Indigenous and delegate perspectives on heritage themes.
"I am inviting the community and people attending the conference to come and place their hand print on the flag and help create the artwork," she said.
Once the artwork has been finished it will be gifted to the next country chosen to host the general assembly of the international council.
Ms Dixon hopes it will inspire people to learn more.
"Not just as an artist, but as an Aboriginal person, it is exciting for me as it means a lot to be able to share our culture with another country," she said.
An opening ceremony at the Sydney Opera House will feature the Badu Gili Aboriginal light show projected on its sails.
More than 1400 delegates from 100 countries are expected to attend the event.
Keynote speakers include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner June Oscar and UNESCO ambassador Dana Firas.
