In an open letter, prominent Australian and international artists are calling Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to protect the ancient Murujuga rock art, one of Australia and the worlds greatest cultural treasures, on the Burrup Peninsula from further damage caused by the North West Shelf gas export terminal. The rock art is more than 40,000 years old – eight times as ancient as the Pyramids in Egypt and Stonehenge, and at least as important– and depicts everything from prehistoric megafauna to the arrival of Europeans.

However, acid gas emissions from the terminal have already corroded the petroglyphs.

The Australian government is considering extending gas exports for another 50 years, which would increase pollution and further threaten the site. Artists including painter Ben Quilty, authors Thomas Keneally and Di Morrisey, and rock icon Jimmy Barnes have signed the open letter.