An integrated methodology for the study of Atlantic Rock Art

Abstract

During the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age periods, a specific type of abstract and geometric imagery was being carved on natural outcrops and boulders in the landscapes of western Europe. Often known as Atlantic Rock Art, this prehistoric carving tradition is renowned for its cup-and-ring motifs, cup-marks, wavy grooves and other types of circular imagery. These can be found in the modern countries of Spain, Portugal, Britain and Ireland, where the tradition shares striking similarities. Although these resemblances had been noted in the mid-1950s, they were never fully understood and seldomly studied systematically.This paper offers a discussion on the multi-scalar interdisciplinary methodology used on a large-scale project which studied the phenomenon of Atlantic Rock Art, assessing its similarities and differences between study areas in the aforementioned countries. This approach focused on a number of features of the rock art, extending the investigation beyond the motifs which are obviously similar. The different scales of analysis focused on small details, such as the iconography and carving techniques, followed by a larger scale related to the rock medium, and a final wider scale, that of the landscape in which the carvings are located. The investigation was carried out with a multi-faceted perspective and a combination of methods which included computer modelling for spatial analysis and digital recording techniques, contrasted with more traditional and sensorial/experiential approaches. Results revealed a carving tradition which encompassed many resemblances but was still capable of maintaining unique characters. The study demonstrated the importance of rock art in the narrative of prehistoric Atlantic Europe, contributing to a clearer insight into the connectivity and cultural transmission taking place on the Atlantic seaboard during the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age.