Rock Art: Preservation

Rock art, either pictorgraphs or petroglyphs, are a cultural resource with a relative degree of susceptibility. They are a limited resource exhibiting the grandeur yet simplicity of a cultural art style. Although they differ from one continent to another, they have one component in common. That component is the need for protection and long term preservation. Because they are a part of one's cultural heritage, people are curious and very interested in the art and the artists. Hopefully without intent, those displays of rock art are being impacted by the very people who enjoy them the most. There needs to be a comprehensive program of protection and preservation in conjunction with an effort to record and photographs as many examples of rock art as possible.

There are many web pages that show the variety of petroglyphs and pictographs around the world. A small sample includes Chauvet Cave (France), the Cup and Ring Carvings (England/Scotland), the rock carvings at Bhimbetka (India), the Rock Art Research Center (Johannesburg, South Africa), the rock art in the Indus Valley (Pakistan/China), the Toro Muerto carvings (Peru).

Written by Kathy Roetzel, 2000