Problems of Indexing in Documentation and Mapping of Rock Art Sites

A new approach to indexing rock art sites, known as the 'topographic' system, has been developed to address the limitations of existing systems in digital documentation. This method focuses on the spatial and topographical characteristics of petroglyphs rather than their semantics or chronological attribution, enabling continuous and systematic documentation without premature interpretation. The study highlights how advancements in digital technologies—such as drones, GNSS receivers, digital photography, and 3D modeling—have facilitated more comprehensive and accurate mapping of rock art sites, particularly those in the Petroglyphs of Lake Onega and the White Sea region. By decoupling documentation from interpretation, this system paves the way for integrating rock art data into geographical information systems (GIS) and databases, enhancing long-term research and preservation efforts.

Yu., S., I., A., E., L.,. (2022). Problems of Indexing in Documentation and Mapping of Rock Art Sites. Teoriya I Praktika Arkheologicheskikh Issledovaniy, 34(4), 9–24. https://doi.org/10.14258/tpai(2022)34(4).-01