Aboriginal Australians are Earth's oldest civilization: DNA study

Updated 0937 GMT (1737 HKT) September 22, 2016

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Aboriginal culture<a href="http://www.aboriginal-art-australia.com/aboriginal-art-library/the-story-of-aboriginal-art/" target="_blank"> dates as far back as 80,000 years</a>, but modern canvas works are finding popularity with international buyers. Pictured, "Marrapinti" by Naata Nungurrayi. Her work often hints at sacred women's ceremonial sites, their dancing, and the designs on their bodies.<br />

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Aboriginal culture dates as far back as 80,000 years, but modern canvas works are finding popularity with international buyers. Pictured, "Marrapinti" by Naata Nungurrayi. Her work often hints at sacred women's ceremonial sites, their dancing, and the designs on their bodies.

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Traditionally paintings were done on rock walls, as body paint, or simply in the dirt or sand. Today most Aboriginal paintings depict stories and "Dreamings" about the land, culture and ceremonies. Pictured, "Water" by Kurun Warun.

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<a href="http://www.aboriginal-art-australia.com/artworks/eddie-blitner-mimi-spirits-hunting-eb224/" target="_blank">Eddie Blitner</a> paints Mimis -- tiny match-thin spirits which Aborigines believe have lived in the escarpments since the beginning of time. Mimis are so shy they only come out at night with their weapons and pets such as goannas, kangaroos and porcupines. Pictured, Blitner's "Mimi Spirits and Rainbow Serpent."

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Eddie Blitner paints Mimis -- tiny match-thin spirits which Aborigines believe have lived in the escarpments since the beginning of time. Mimis are so shy they only come out at night with their weapons and pets such as goannas, kangaroos and porcupines. Pictured, Blitner's "Mimi Spirits and Rainbow Serpent."

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A lot of artists don't start painting until much later in life. Stories are passed down through generations within certain groups. Pictured, "Medicine Leaves" by Gloria Petyarre.

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Sales are recovering after the global financial crisis took its toll on the industry. Artlandish Aboriginal Art Gallery in Kununnura sells paintings from $150 up to $150,000. Pictured, "Blue Earth Cycles" by Sarrita King.

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<a href="http://www.aboriginal-art-australia.com/" target="_blank">Gallery owner Scott Linklater</a> says social media helped the spread of Aboriginal art being worldwide. In March his gallery sold 13 paintings directly through<a href="https://www.facebook.com/Artlandish" target="_blank"> its Facebook page</a>. Pictured, "Lightning" by Sarrita King.

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Gallery owner Scott Linklater says social media helped the spread of Aboriginal art being worldwide. In March his gallery sold 13 paintings directly through its Facebook page. Pictured, "Lightning" by Sarrita King.

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This painting by <a href="http://www.aboriginal-art-australia.com/artworks/lily-karadada-three-wandjina/" target="_blank">Lily Karadada</a> shows the Wandjina -- the supreme spirit being according to the Worrorra, Wunambal and Ngarinyin people of the Kimberley region. The Wandjina have large eyes but no mouth, as it is said this would make them too powerful. Pictured, "Wanjina" by Lily Karadada.

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This painting by Lily Karadada shows the Wandjina -- the supreme spirit being according to the Worrorra, Wunambal and Ngarinyin people of the Kimberley region. The Wandjina have large eyes but no mouth, as it is said this would make them too powerful. Pictured, "Wanjina" by Lily Karadada.