Overview

Once a stepchild of archaeology, rock art research has become increasingly important tool in recent archaeological work for understanding the symbolic and ideological systems of ancient peoples. Yet, methods of working with pictographs, petroglyphs and geoglyphs are rarely taught in a systematic fashion. In this brief introduction to methods, well-known rock art researcher David Whitley takes the reader through the various processes needed to document, interpret, and preserve this fragile category of artefact. Using examples from around the globe, he offers a comprehensive guide to rock art studies of value to archaeologists and art historians, their students, and rock art aficionados.

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9781598740011

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Reviews

'David Whitley has written a wonderfully pragmatic book that places rock art studies in the mainstream of the rapidly changing archaeological world. This important guide is essential reading for both academic archaeologists and anyone concerned with heritage and site conservation. Strongly recommended as a fine starting point for student and professional alike'. Brian Fagan, Emeritus Professor of Anthropology, University of California Santa Barbara 'This new book by David Whitley is hugely readable by anybody interested in rock art, whether they be students, beginners, enthusiasts or seasoned professionals. His long experience doing fieldwork, teaching and thinking about the ins and outs of research (not necessarily in that order!) has enabled him to produce a well-balanced extremely useful book. Yes, rock art is part of the mainstream of archaeology. It has its own problems and methods and we can be thankful to David for having put them so clearly and comprehensively'. Jean Clottes, Retired, French Ministry of Culture 'Renowned rock art scholar and director of a major contract archaeology firm, Whitley provides the first textbook-level introduction to rock art research as a mainstream specialty in anthropological archaeology. Whitley writes in a very accessible and engaging style, but provides sufficient detail where appropriate. He covers the entire range of rock art research, including fieldwork, dating, interpretation, management, and conservation. He also provides a very useful glossary and a comprehensive bibliography. This volume is highly recommended not only for students and the general public learning about rock art research for the first time, but also for faculty and other specialists seeking an authoritative update on this rapidly maturing specialty. While the coverage is similar, libraries that own Whitley's much more technical edited volume Handbook of Rock Art Research would be well advised to add this new volume to their collections. Summing Up: Essential. All levels/libraries.' CHOICE Magazine

Author Information

David S. Whitley is one of the leading North American experts on rock art. A former member of the Council of Directors of the ICOMOS Committee on Rock Art and head of a contract archaeology firm, he has published extensively on the subject both at an academic and more popular level. His key books on this topic include Art of the Shaman and Handbook of Rock Art Research. Whitley has done field work in the US, Guatemala, France, and South Africa, and has taught at the University of Witwatersrand and UCLA.

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