Fading Rock Art Landscapes: evaluating the database in rock-art landscape research
Durham University, 2006. https://doi.org/10.5284/1000092. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © Durham University unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Dr
Margarita
Diaz-Andreu
Department of Archaeology
Durham University
South Road
Durham
DH1 3LE
England
Tel: 0191 3341127
Fax: 0191 3341101
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 431
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1000092
- How to cite using this DOI
Introduction
In recent years the study of prehistoric rock carvings within its landscape context has stimulated debate on this type of material culture previously not thought worthy of consideration. Yet the landscape perspective is partly dependent on an assumption that has not been assessed properly: that the number of sites in a particular area is akin to that in prehistoric times. However, anecdotal evidence both in Northumberland and Yorkshire (Beckensall, Boughey and Vickerman, pers. comm.; RAPP 2000,79) suggests that rock-art is suffering a high degree of degradation, and experiments undertaken in Scandinavia have confirmed that here the rate of decay of prehistoric rock-art is significantly faster than expected (Löfvendahl & Magnusson 2001,48). Severe erosion and degradation of rock surfaces from weathering and growth of biological organisms (e.g. mosses, lichen, fungi and bacteria) have significant implications for the survival of rock-art and, consequently, for our understanding of past landscapes.
The project website is available from the following URL: http://www.dur.ac.uk/prehistoric.art/
Principal Investigator: Dr. Margarita Díaz-Andreu, Dept of Archaeology. University of Durham
Research assistant: Dr Tertia Barnett, From Sept 04: Northumberland County Council
Laser scanning and processing of data: Pete Longhurst, Gavin Ellis, Rich Gillibrand, supervised by Dr Alan Chalmers, Computer Sciences Dept. University of Bristol
Post-processing of data: Dr Immo Trinks & Dr Richard Hobbs, Dept of Earth Sciences. University of Durham
Funded by: British Academy Small Research Grants
Duration of the project: 2003-04
Further information on the project can be found in the following publications:
- Barnett, T., A. Chalmers, M. Díaz-Andreu, G. Ellis, P. Longhurst, K. Sharpe & I. Trinks (2005) '3D Laser Scanning For Recording and Monitoring Rock Art Erosion', International Newsletter on Rock Art (INORA) 41: 25-29 http://www.bradshawfoundation.com/inora/newsletter_index.html
- Díaz-Andreu, M. & T. Barnett (2005) 'Knowledge capture and transfer in rock art studies: result of a questionnaire on rock art decay in Britain', Conservation and Management of Archaeological Sites 7: 35-48
