Marree Man
| Marree Man | ||
 | ||
| Aerial view of the Marree Man geoglyph, 2017 | ||
| Location | Finniss Springs Station, near Marree, South Australia | |
| Material | Compacted earth | |
| area | Approximately 2.6 km tall | |
| created | c. June 1998 | |
| discovered | 1998 | |
| Restoration | 2016 | |
| Designer | Unknown | |
| Operator | Arabana Aboriginal Corporation | |
| Map type | South Australia | |
| Map caption | Location within South Australia | |
Marree Man is a massive earthwork geoglyph situated on a plateau within Finniss Springs Station, approximately 68 kilometres northwest of the township of Marree in northern South Australia. The figure depicts a human male, seemingly engaged in a hunting stance, and is estimated to measure about 2.6 kilometres from head to heel. It is one of the largest geoglyphs in the world and remains a subject of considerable intrigue due to the mystery surrounding its creation.[1]
Discovery
The geoglyph was first observed in June 1998 by a charter pilot travelling between Marree and Coober Pedy. The depiction appeared abruptly, carved into the barren plateau overlooking the Oodnadatta Track. The figure’s scale and precision suggested the use of modern surveying tools or GPS guidance. At the time of discovery, local Aboriginal groups were engaged in disputes over native title rights, leading some to believe the artwork had a symbolic or political motive.[2]
Description
The Marree Man portrays an Indigenous hunter holding what appears to be a throwing stick or boomerang. Measurements taken during survey work indicate that the geoglyph spans roughly 2.65 kilometres in height, with a circumference of about 28 kilometres. The outer and inner lines are up to ten metres wide and were originally created by scraping away the topsoil to expose lighter substrate beneath. Some of the figure’s finer details, such as chest markings and genital features, were altered or eroded over time.[3]
Early Investigations
Following its discovery, South Australian authorities investigated whether the creation of the figure constituted environmental damage. However, no evidence of criminal intent was found, and the site was later excluded from the National Heritage Register in 2003. Various theories have circulated regarding the artist, including suggestions that an overseas individual or a local group with access to aerial mapping data was responsible. Despite official inquiries, the identity of the creator has never been confirmed.[4]
Restoration
By 2012, the outline of the Marree Man had become faint due to wind erosion and natural weathering. The Arabana Aboriginal Corporation, which had recently secured native title over the area, proposed restoring the geoglyph as a cultural and tourism project. In August 2016, a small team of surveyors and local volunteers undertook a restoration using GPS-guided graders. The project recreated the original design as closely as possible, reintroducing elements such as the figure’s chest markings and missing anatomical features. The restoration reportedly cost approximately 6,400 Australian dollars, far below earlier government estimates.[5]
Cultural Significance and Tourism
The Marree Man has become a distinctive landmark and a source of regional pride. Its presence has contributed to renewed tourism interest along the Oodnadatta Track and the surrounding desert region. The site is viewed as both a modern artistic statement and an enduring mystery, symbolising the intersection of land, identity, and technology in Australia’s outback heritage.[6]
