Prehistoric Rock Art

Introductions to Heritage Assets

An introduction to prehistoric rock art.

The term is most often applied to a specific style of carvings created in the late Stone Age and Early Bronze Age (approximately 3800 BC to 1500 BC). Archaeologists make a distinction between rock art associated with monuments and rock art ‘in the landscape’ – found on natural outcrops and boulders – which makes up the majority of surviving examples.

Most rock art sits isolated in the landscape, without any obvious associations that can be detected from the surface traces: this is part of what makes it so difficult to date and interpret.

Descriptions of rock art and its development, along with a brief chronology are included.

Contents

  • Summary
  • Introduction
  • Description
  • Chronology
  • Development of the asset type
  • Associations
  • Further reading
  • Where to get advice

Additional Information

  • Series: Guidance
  • Publication Status: Completed
  • Pages: 14
  • Product Code: HEAG220

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