Digital Rock Art: beyond 'pretty pictures'

Advancements in digital archaeology have transformed rock art research, moving beyond mere visual documentation to enable complex, multi-scalar analyses that integrate various variables of rock art assemblages. This shift allows for more objective and quantifiable datasets, facilitating broader narratives in prehistoric studies. The study highlights two Iberian case studies—Schematic Art in painted form and Atlantic Rock Art, a carving tradition—to illustrate how digital methodologies have revolutionized the recording, analysis, and interpretation of rock art. By leveraging digital tools, researchers can now explore inter-relational patterns that were previously overlooked, providing deeper insights into the cultural and historical significance of these sites.

Valdez-Tullett, J., & Figueiredo Persson, S. (2023). Digital Rock Art: beyond ‘pretty pictures’. F1000Research, 12, 523. https://doi.org/10.12688/f1000research.127249.1