Interactive Hierakonpolis updated - 2009 Field Notes

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!