This study is a comparative examination of the age, authorship and interpretation of aboriginal rock painting sites situated on the shores of the Churchill River of northern Saskatchewan and Manitoba. The twenty presently known sites were recorded in the years 1965, 1966, 1967 and 1969 by the author.<p>The study combines written descriptions of the sites and their settings with reproductions of the symbols found at each site. Techniques for recording and reproducing rock paintings, developed during the course of the field studies, are described.<p> Geographical and stylistic relationships of the paintings to other rock painting occurrences in the Canadian Shield are examined. Data derived both directly and indirectly from native Indian residents of the area is incorporated, along with historical observations on the occurrence and interpretation of the paintings.<p> Several sets of the Churchill River paintings are at least 150 to 200 years old, while others may be considerably more recent. Specific dates of origin cannot presently be assigned to most of the sites; the potential applicability of various dating techniques is discussed.<p> Evidence given supports an Algonkian (undoubtedly Cree) inspiration and authorship for these rock paintings, with religious observance being the basic motivation for their creation.

The rock art that is found in the region of Reindeer Lake, Saskatchewan is part of a larger category of rock art known as the Shield Rock Art Tradition. At present, there are more than 400 known and recorded rock art sites throughout the Canadian Shield region. These sites are found over an extensive geographical area and can be found from south-western Quebec across the Shield westward, up to north-western Saskatchewan. The majority of these rock art sites are comprised of imagery that has been painted on rock surfaces. The rock art sites at Reindeer Lake, or panels as they are called, depict a variety of symbols and characters that portray humans, animals, anthropomorphs, ceremonies and motifs of a spiritual nature. A variety of explanations have been proposed as to the function and meaning of rock art in general. Among the more accepted explanations are that rock art paintings were created by shamans; that they depict dreams or visions of an individual seeking medicine or participating in a vision quest/puberty rites; that they are a form of hunting magic whereby the author in capturing the animal in a painting assures capture of the animal in life; or that they serve as markers for travellers. Regardless of function and meaning, all of the rock art sites on Reindeer Lake are of immense heritage value and should be regarded as sacred locations. Very little is known about the rock art in the Reindeer Lake regions. Before any significant analyses of their meaning can be conducted, they must first be relocated and properly documented. At present there are only a very small number of publications that document or mention the Reindeer Lake rock art. This thesis surveys the rock art of Reindeer Lake, Saskatchewan. It discusses the general nature of pictographs from the Shield Rock Art Tradition and how the panels at Reindeer Lake fit into the overall scheme, and applies a systematic method to the recording and analysis of pictographs using a contextual approach. Although the primary focus is on recording the painted imagery, the specific context of each panel as well as the surrounding landscape is also considered. Recording these ancient rock art sites using a proper systematic method has ensured that this significant element of Aboriginal culture will endure not only for future research, but also for the benefit of future generations of the local Cree people.

Mainly focusing on the big picture regarding the research concerning the religious sphere in Bronze Age Scandinavia, the research field has been missing out on the smaller picture. The results have a tendency to produce a picture where the big landscape monuments, social structures and cosmology appear in the foreground. This essay is a comment to this phenomena and a methodological and terminological discussion regarding the way in which we as archaeologist’s works with questions about religion and rites. The main task though is to make an attempt in trying to identify the ritual performers and to answer the question whether it's possible or not to do that. This kind of work needs empirical studies with a theoretical background. The grave material can be the key to find these individuals since it's a context where the person’s belongings can be connected with the individual. The theoretical stance is that the Bronze Age research has been unable to identify these performers and that this in factcan be done. The etuis of belongings discovered for the first time in 1845 with the archaeological excavation of the Hvidegaard grave outside Copenhagen in Denmark, containing objects referred to as magical objects, can be one way to make these actors of rites come alive.The etuis of belongings and other grave material are presented in this work and a discussion about the graves material is made. The approach to study the bigger picture by studying the small empirical material is also made in this essay where a model of the ritual sphere is presented in the results with an attempt to show a none official cult existing side by side and in interaction with the official one.

<p>The study is about the rock engravings on the wonderstone hills just outside Ottosdal, North West province, about 70km northwest of Klerksdorp. Wonderstone is remarkable rock that is&nbsp / smooth, shiny and very easy to mark. The wonderstone occurs only on two adjacent farms, Gestoptefontein and Driekuil, and thus the rock art on the wonderstone outcrops is referred to as the Gestoptefontein- Driekuil complex (GDC). This rock art is now the only remaining trace of what must once have been a much larger complex of engravings. Sadly, much of the rock art has been destroyed in the course of mining activities, with very few records. The largest remaining outcrop is still threatened by potential mining activities. The study attempts to bring this disastrous and unacceptable situation to the attention of the public and the heritage authorities, who have so far failed to respond to applications to grant the sites protection. It therefore has two main aims: to&nbsp / locate and record as much of the rock art as possible and to understand the significance of the outcrops in the lives of the people who made them. Based on the rock art itself, as well as what little historical evidence is available, it is argued that the rock art was made by Khoe-San people during the performance of important ceremonies and other activities. The rock art has two main components: engravings of referential motifs and a gestural, or performative, element. The referential motifs depict a range of things: anthropomorphs and zoomorphs, decorative designs, items of clothing, as well as ornaments and decorations. The gestural markings were made by rubbing, cutting and hammering the soft wonderstone, probably in the course of a range of activities that people carried out on the outcrops. One of the main findings of the study is that the GDC was a place that was of particular significance to women. This is suggested by the large number of engravings of items that are closely associated with Khoe-San women &ndash / depictions of aprons, ornaments, and decorations. These play a prominent role in the initiation practices of many Khoe-San groups. Initiates emerging from ritual isolation after their first menstruation are given new clothes / they are also loaned ornaments and jewellery. This reincorporation into society as a &lsquo / new person&rsquo / has been described by some Khoe-San women as one of the high points of their lives. Oral traditions from the area indicate that the wonderstone outcrops were believed to have&nbsp / special properties / the study incorporates these traditions to argue that the wonderstone outcrops were associated with the presence of a great water snake that lay on the rocks and also lived in&nbsp / the pools of water in the nearby Driekuil Spruit. People therefore came to the outcrops to perform rites of reincorporation. One of these ceremonies may have been performing rites of association&nbsp / with the great snake / such practices may have included the use of rock dust as an ingredient for body paint.</p>

A l’extrême nord du Chili, dans la région d’Arica-Parinacota, ce travail de recherche, axé sur l’étude de trois abris ornés (Vilacaurani, Incani et Anocariri), vise à mettre en évidence les étapes de la transformation culturelle et socio-économiques des populations andines en lien avec le processus de la domestication animale. Entre 2800 et 3800 m dans le piémont andin, l’implantation humaine semble correspondre à l’écosystème de certaines espèces, telles que le guanaco et le taruca, abondamment chassées pendant les périodes les plus anciennes. Les plus importants témoignages, actuellement connus, de cette occupation se retrouvent au cœur d’abris sous roche ou sur de larges panneaux à travers d’imposantes fresques polychromes. Les artistes ont mis l’accent sur la figure animale, principalement les camélidés de genre lama (guanaco et lama) et sur la représentation de scènes variées telles la chasse, le piégeage ou encore la pâture. Ces représentations sont significatives, car elles évoquent des possibles phases de la domestication des camélidés qui a débuté autour de 6000 BP dans les Andes centrales (Wings, 1986 ; Wheeler et al., 1977 ; Lavallée et Julien, 1980 ; Lavallée et al., 1995) débouchant sur le développement des sociétés pastorales et d’une économie de production dans les hautes terres andines. Pourtant, les mécanismes de cette transformation restent encore mal connus. Cette recherche offre une nouvelle lecture des manifestations artistiques comme source première d’information pour comprendre la transition socio-économique et culturelle des populations des hautes terres. A travers l’étude des scènes picturales et l’imposant système de superposition des figures, nous sommes en mesure de décrire le glissement progressif, autant sur le plan technique que symbolique, et les étapes transitoires qui caractérisent le passage d’une économie principalement fondée sur la chasse à une économie pastorale. / In the far north of Chile, in the region of Arica-Parinacota, this research, centered on the study of three decorated shelters (Vilacaurani, Incani and Anocariri), aim at highlighting the socioeconomic and cultural stages of the transformation of the Andean populations in connection with the process of the animal domestication. Between 2800 and 3800 m in Andean Piedmont, the human settling seems to correspond to the ecosystem of certain species such as the guanaco and the taruca abundantly hunted during the most ancient periods. The most important testimonies of this activity, so far known, are found at the heart of shelters or on wide panels through impressive polychromatic frescoes. The artists put the accent on the animal figure, mainly Camelidae of the genus Lama (guanaco and llama) and on the representation of varied scenes such hunting, capture or grazing. These representations are significant because they evoke possible phases of the Camelid’s domestication which began around 6000 BP in the central Andes (Wings, 1986 ; Wheeler et al., 1977 ; Lavallée et Julien, 1980 ; Lavallée et al., 1995) which result in the development of the pastoral societies and the economy of production in the Andean highlands. Nevertheless, mechanisms working in this transformation remain badly known. This research offers a new reading of the artistic manifestations as first source of information to understand the socioeconomic and cultural transition of the populations in the highlands. Through the study of the pictorial scenes and the impressive system of overlapping of figures, we are capable of describing the progressive sliding, both on the technical plan and the symbolism, and the transitory stages which characterize the passage of an economy mainly based on hunting to a pastoral economy.

Este trabalho apresenta análises estilísticas e espaciais da arte rupestre de cerca de cem abrigos do alto-médio São Francisco (norte mineiro e sudoeste baiano), desenvolvidas com o objetivo de elaborar um quadro crono-estilístico do registro rupestre regional que possa subsidiar estudos de correlação entre seqüências estratigráficas e seqüências estilísticosucessórias. As análises tomaram por base as classificações existentes para a arte rupestre do Brasil Central e da região (tradições Agreste, São Francisco, Nordeste e Complexo Montalvânia), visando a discutir a operacionalidade da metodologia classificatória vigente e o alcance interpretativo destas categorias de análise. As análises resultaram na definição de diversos estilos sucessivos, sendo alguns deles possivelmente contemporâneos. A seqüência sucessória estilística foi comparada à seqüência estratigráfica regional, utilizando as datações absolutas e relativas disponíveis para balizar uma periodização inicial da arte rupestre do norte mineiro. Essa periodização - ainda hipotética em função das datações disponíveis se referirem a apenas dois dos doze estilos identificados - mostra que a arte rupestre do Holoceno médio responde por vários estilos associados, que não podem ser seguramente organizados em seqüência sucessória e que podem ter sido praticados em contemporaneidade. O estudo da variação estilística nas dimensões gráfica, temporal e espacial (em pequena e grande escala) mostrou que estilos distintos por critérios temáticos interconectam-se e articulam-se em outras dimensões. A observação de diferenças relevantes entre estilos, relativas a atributos temáticos, localização dos painéis nos abrigos e dos abrigos na paisagem regional, sugere a existência concomitante de repertórios temáticos complementares na arte rupestre do Holoceno médio, integrando um complexo sistema de representações visuais. O estudo sugere que a utilização da usual categoria “tradição” como parâmetro de análise dificulta, em vez de favorecer, a organização do registro rupestre, na medida em que direciona a pesquisa para os padrões de similaridade. Em análises focadas nestes padrões, os contrastes e as diferenças entre expressões são mascarados e ofuscados. Expressões estilísticas tematicamente distintas podem estar conectadas de modo complementar, tornando necessário investigar as relações entre estilos caracterizados por temáticas distintas, avaliando suas semelhanças e dissimilaridades, antes de atribuí-los a tradições também distintas / This work is the result of a research in rock art stylistics and space analyses of about one hundred shelters from the region of Alto-médio São Francisco (north of the brazilian state of Minas Gerais and southwest of the state of Bahia), with the objective of elaborating a chrono-stylistic relative picture of the regional rock-art register that could support correlational studies of stratrigraphics and successory stylistics sequences. The analyses developed were based on the existing rock art classifications of Central Brazil and region(Agreste, São Francisco, Nordeste and Complexo Montalvânia traditions), and were aimed at discussing the operationality of the given classificatory methodology and the interpretative reach of these categories of analysis. The stylistics and space diachronic analyses resulted in the definition of diverse successive styles, some of them possibly contemporaries. The successory stylistic sequence was compared to the regional stratigraphic sequence using the absolute and relative datings available as bollards to develop an initial rock-art periodization of the northern region of the state of Minas Gerais. This periodization – still hypothetical, once the the available datings are related to only two of the twelve identified styles – shows that the middle Holocen rock art stands for several associated styles that cannot be surely organized in a successory sequence and that might have been practiced at the same time. The study of the stylistic variation in its graphical, temporal and spacial aspects (in small and great scale) has showed that styles that are considered distinct because of thematic criteria in fact interconnect and articulate each other in other dimensions. The observation of relevant differences between styles, as well as of oppositions between the thematic attributes of localization in the shelters and the shelters in the regional landscape, suggests the simultaneous existence of complementary thematic repertoires in the middle Holocen rock art, composing a complex system of visual representations. The study suggests that, instead of improving the organization of the rock art register, the use of rock-art traditions as a parameter for analysis makes this organization more difficult, in as much as it directs the research to standards of similarity. In analyses focused in these standards, the contrasts and the differences between expressions are masked and dimmed. Thematicly distinct stylistics expressions can be connected in important and complementary ways, making it necessary to investigate the relations between styles characterized by distinct thematic characteristics and to evaluate their oppositions and disimilarities before attributing them to distinct traditions.

The timeframe of the south Scandinavian rock art tradition extends from c.1700/1600 to 300 /200 BC. The chronological boundaries of the rock art phenomenon thereby coincide roughly with the timeframe of the Nordic Bronze Age, and rock art figures have come to be understood and interpreted as a Bronze Age phenomenon. It is argued that a dominant Bronze Age narrative has come to direct the discourse and fieldwork alike towards a focus on the origin , rather than the use, of rock art. The rock carver’s intention with the image, explicitly or implicitly, has come to equate with its meaning. The aim of the thesis is to approach rock art figures from a different perspective, with the aim of understanding how south Scandinavian rock art has been used and interpreted over time. The question of what archaeological evidence the use of rock art may have left behind is taken up, and the archaeological excavations carried out at rock art sites in southern Scandinavia​ are summarized and discussed. The survey shows that finds and features date to some extent from the Bronze Age, yet most of the dateable evidence comes from periods after the tradition of creating new images had ended, especially the Early Iron Age. This phenomenon is of particular interest given the explicit uses of the past-perspective of the thesis. It is argued that some of the rock art sites were still being used during later prehistoric periods. Other examples of later period´s uses of rock art sites are presented and discussed, such as runic inscriptions on rock art panels as well as the use of rock art and cup-mark sites during historic times. ​ A study of the chronological development of the rock art tradition in the Himmelstalund-region in the county of Östergötland is also presented, based on recently developed ship chronologies of rock art. The study shows that the earliest ship figures, which are found in the Himmelstalund area, were probably made in the Bronze Age period I/II. Yet the majority of the dateable ship figures date from the Bronze Age period II–III, after which the number of dateable ships declines in period IV, a development becoming even more prominent in period V-VI.  Another theme discussed in the thesis is archaeology’s own uses of rock art and how this has affected the interpretations of the material. The thesis shows it is feasible to combine a discussion on the prehistoric use of rock art sites and images with a critical view of interactions between archaeological and antiquarian practice and the source material. It has also shown the potential for a broadened discussion, where we regard the use of rock art, during the Bronze Age as well as during later periods, as integral and essential to rock art research​.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The study is about the rock engravings on the wonderstone hills just outside Ottosdal, North West province, about 70km northwest of Klerksdorp. Wonderstone is remarkable rock that is smooth, shiny and very easy to mark. The wonderstone occurs only on two adjacent farms, Gestoptefontein and Driekuil, and thus the rock art on the wonderstone outcrops is referred to as the Gestoptefontein- Driekuil complex (GDC). This rock art is now the only remaining trace of what must once have been a much larger complex of engravings. Sadly, much of the rock art has been destroyed in the course of mining activities, with very few records. The largest remaining outcrop is still threatened by potential mining activities. The study attempts to bring this disastrous and unacceptable situation to the attention of the public and the heritage authorities, who have so far failed to respond to applications to grant the sites protection. It therefore has two main aims: to locate and record as much of the rock art as possible and to understand the significance of the outcrops in the lives of the people who made them. Based on the rock art itself, as well as what little historical evidence is available, it is argued that the rock art was made by Khoe-San people during the performance of important ceremonies and other activities. The rock art has two main components: engravings of referential motifs and a gestural, or performative, element. The referential motifs depict a range of things: anthropomorphs and zoomorphs, decorative designs, items of clothing, as well as ornaments and decorations. The gestural markings were made by rubbing, cutting and hammering the soft wonderstone, probably in the course of a range of activities that people carried out on the outcrops. One of the main findings of the study is that the GDC was a place that was of particular significance to women. This is suggested by the large number of engravings of items that are closely associated with Khoe-San women – depictions of aprons, ornaments, and decorations. These play a prominent role in the initiation practices of many Khoe-San groups. Initiates emerging from ritual isolation after their first menstruation are given new clothes; they are also loaned ornaments and jewellery. This reincorporation into society as a ‘new person’ has been described by some Khoe-San women as one of the high points of their lives. Oral traditions from the area indicate that the wonderstone outcrops were believed to have special properties; the study incorporates these traditions to argue that the wonderstone outcrops were associated with the presence of a great water snake that lay on the rocks and also lived in the pools of water in the nearby Driekuil Spruit. People therefore came to the outcrops to perform rites of reincorporation. One of these ceremonies may have been performing rites of association with the great snake; such practices may have included the use of rock dust as an ingredient for body paint. / South Africa

Parmi les représentations animales gravées qui apparaissent en Afrique du Nord au cours de la Préhistoire, le bubale antique, omniprésent dans tout l'Atlas saharien tout au long du Néolithique, occupe une place prépondérante.Notre étude a porté sur 141 gravures du bubale antique, réparties dans les différents chaînons composant l’Atlas saharien dont 79 ont été étudiées par nous-même sur le terrain. Cette étude a permis de regrouper et d’analyser les données dispersées dans de multiples travaux, auxquelles se sont ajoutées nos découvertes qui ont enrichi l'inventaire et ont élargi la répartition spatiale de ces gravures. Cette richesse n'est pas seulement quantitative, elle est aussi qualitative. Il en ressort d'importantes variations stylistiques, thématiques et techniques permettant de mettre en lumière les écoles régionales et les influences sahariennes. Nos recherches ont permis une meilleure compréhension des traditions stylistiques et iconographiques de la figuration de cet animal et nous ont permis de mieux les situer dans leur contexte chronoculturel et géographique.Les représentations du bubale antique dont certaines formes élaborées participent à la définition de provinces culturelles, révèlent l'investissement et le choix des artistes au sein d'un bestiaire varié qui a été différemment représenté selon les régions et les écoles atlasiques. / Among the carved animal figures that appeared in North Africa during prehistory, the antique buffalo, omnipresent throughout the Saharan Atlas during the Neolithic, features prominently.Our study focused on 141 of these hartebeest engravings, spread over the various links constituting the Saharan Atlas of which 79 have been studied by us on the spot. This study consolidates and analyses data scattered in multiple works, to which are added our discoveries which have enriched the record and expanded the spatial distribution of these engravings. This wealth is not only quantitative, it is also qualitative. This important spring stylistic, thematic and technical highlights the regional schools and Saharan influences. Our research has allowed a better understanding of the stylistic and iconographic traditions of figuration of this animal and allowed us to situate them in their chrono-cultural and geographical context.The representations of the antique buffalo whose developed some forms, involved in defining cultural provinces, reveal the investment and the choice of artists in a varied bestiary that was represented differently depending on the region and atlasiques schools.

The uKhahlamba-Drakensberg Park (UDP) is a World Heritage Site known for its cultural San heritage and its natural beauty, which is advertised as a world tourist attraction. Tourism is a debatable issue with regards to its negative and/or positive impacts on rock art along with commodification aspects. Negatively, visitation of sites increased natural deterioration of the site, the art and challenges for cultural resource management. While increased awareness of rock art conservation is a positive aspect through tourism and developments, contributes optimistically. San heritage is unique, defining our cultural identity and has the power to encourage national unification. The aim of this project is to assess the complexities of tourism developments and its immediate impacts at different rock art sites in the UDP through an analysis of management and conservation methods. The monitoring of these mentioned methods applied is important as it evaluates the effectiveness of past techniques and provides suggestions for other rock art sites. The current conditions at nine study sites in the UDP were investigated under three main criteria; deterioration of the sites and paintings through natural and human impacts, tourism developments and management. Data collection followed principles such as; site mapping, narrative recording, graphic documentation, and is represented in evaluation tables. Results concluded that common management methods were implemented at sites to provide standard conservation practices, but every site had room for improvement. The results have led to the formulation of recommendations that can be applied at other rock art sites and can contribute to future management and conservation protocols. The study highlights the unique demands made on rock art sites by tourism and concludes with final comments and recommendations. / Dissertation (MA)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Geography, Geoinformatics and Meteorology / MA / Unrestricted