“To summarise, as stated by Conkey in the foreword, this volume is a clear example of how in the twenty-first century rock art is considered a topic of archaeological inquiry, leaving behind the times when it was excluded from the archaeological discussions because of its problematic dating and interpretation (see Whitley 2001 for details about the North American case; or Morwood 2002: 64-88 for the Australian case).” (Archaeology In Oceania, 2 October 2013)
“Overall, this is a fine compendium, and all rock art researchers will need to read it. Aimed at a sophisticated audience. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Upper-level undergraduates and above.” (Choice, 1 June 2013)
From the Inside Flap
Rock art, both as art and as a record of human endeavor and artistry, evokes a personal response as well as a scientific one. Its geographic range is vast – with innumerable discoveries from the deserts of Australia to the limestone caves of the Pyrenees; from the heights of the Andes to the fjords of Scandinavia. The number and diversity of sites, and how we approach them using archaeological and art historical perspectives, provides a rich landscape of ideas and narrative frameworks.
A Companion to Rock Art offers an unparalleled overview of a field that has evolved significantly within the last two decades. A range of interpretive frameworks within which petroglyph and pictograph art forms can be understood is examined in detail. This exciting field of enquiry continues to engage both researchers and the general public, with the search for elusive meanings in the images. Whether they were produced for the exchange of information; for secular or sacred purposes; for signaling alliance networks and identity; or as legacies of origin narratives are just some of the challenging questions that confront the modern archaeologist in understanding prehistoric and early humans.
Leading international scholars provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of theoretical and methodological developments in the field, and illustrations and photographs ably support the text. This new companion is an authoritative guide for researchers, instructors, and students in anthropology, archaeology, religious studies, and prehistoric art.
From the Back Cover
Rock art, both as art and as a record of human endeavor and artistry, evokes a personal response as well as a scientific one. Its geographic range is vast – with innumerable discoveries from the deserts of Australia to the limestone caves of the Pyrenees; from the heights of the Andes to the fjords of Scandinavia. The number and diversity of sites, and how we approach them using archaeological and art historical perspectives, provides a rich landscape of ideas and narrative frameworks.
A Companion to Rock Art offers an unparalleled overview of a field that has evolved significantly within the last two decades. A range of interpretive frameworks within which petroglyph and pictograph art forms can be understood is examined in detail. This exciting field of enquiry continues to engage both researchers and the general public, with the search for elusive meanings in the images. Whether they were produced for the exchange of information; for secular or sacred purposes; for signaling alliance networks and identity; or as legacies of origin narratives are just some of the challenging questions that confront the modern archaeologist.
Leading international scholars provide the most up-to-date and comprehensive coverage of theoretical and methodological developments in the field, and illustrations and photographs ably support the text. This Companion is an authoritative guide for researchers, instructors, and students in anthropology, archaeology, religious studies, and prehistoric art.
About the Author
The Editors
Jo McDonald’s career has combined cultural heritage management and rock art research. She is currently Chair and Director of the Centre for Rock Art Research and Management at the University of Western Australia. Her major research focus, funded by an Australian Research Council Future Fellowship, is comparing rock art of the Australian and North American arid zones. She is past-President of the Australian Archaeological Association and of the Australian Association of Consulting Archaeologists Inc.
Peter Veth’s career has focused on the archaeology of Australia and Island Southeast Asia; and on global desert peoples and art in archaeological context. Peter is currently Chair in Archaeology at the University of Western Australia, an Adjunct Chair at the Australian National University, and Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. Beginning with Islands in the Interior, he has published twelve volumes on the archaeology, art, early contact history, and native title of Australia and Island Southeast Asia. Peter has coauthored Plans of Management, National Heritage Listing reports and Outstanding Universal Values reports for art provinces in Australia.
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