Field Note 2 - The Rock Art Survey
The Interactive Hierakonpolis web pages have been updated on the Archaeology Magazine website with some fascinating information about work in the 2009 season. Both reports are accompanied by some excellent photographs. Here's an extract from Fred Hardtke's rock art report:
Every archaeologist needs a specialization. Some of my colleagues went into lithics, others into ceramics, etc. Rock art is my thing, and that's a natural progression from discovering Australian aboriginal art while hiking in the bush with my dad when I was very young. The study of rock art presents its own challenges: it has its own repertoire of field techniques and ways of interpretation. It can also be physically challenging and is definitely not something you can do from the comfort of an easy chair.
Working with the rock art at Hierakonpolis is a wonderful, unique opportunity to study material that comes from a site that is also being extensively investigated, not only via excavations but also with experimental archaeology. This range, for me, is a perfect blend since my rock art interests have always been rooted in my archaeological background. The integrated approach taken at Hierakonpolis also means that rock art exploration must fit in with the aims of the overall project, which is to assist in the understanding of past activities that once took place at the site. Thus rock art research involves taking note of every mark made by human agency--not simply recording the obvious figures and impressive tableaux as is often the case in rock art studies elsewhere. It is an ideal picture: excavations proceeding in elite cemetery in the wadi finding wonderful things, while I scramble around the hills finding the petroglyphs!
1 comment:
An awesome article. Really informative and the archaeologist surveying has genuine heart in his work. What dedication: "Trying to tease out details of the south boat with a reflector after the 20-minute sun window closes"
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