Water Flows and Water Accumulations on Bedrock as a Structuring Element of Rock Art

A novel method to quantify water flow and accumulation on bedrock panels reveals that water played a significant structuring role in the placement of rock art. By combining photogrammetric models with simulations using NetLogo and the SAGA hydrology package, researchers analyzed Bohus-granite panels from south-western Sweden. The approach demonstrates how water influences image density and distribution, even on widely separated panels where direct observation is impossible. This method is adaptable to various rock art types, regardless of rock condition or microfauna, offering a powerful tool for comparative studies.

Horn, C., Potter, R., & Peternell, M. (2022). Water Flows and Water Accumulations on Bedrock as a Structuring Element of Rock Art. Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 30(3), 828–854. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-022-09578-2