From Micro to Macro Scientific Investigations of Rock and Rock Art Sites

Dear Colleagues,

Open-air rock art sites generally comprise engravings (petroglyphs) or paintings of anthropomorphic, zoomorphic, or geometric images that were made on rock faces. Worldwide, such sites are considered as being of outstanding universal value, and there has been increased public interest in the field of rock art research in the past decade. However, many of these sites are in danger of degradation and destruction due to both natural and anthropogenic factors that result in decay and damage to the rock on which the engravings/paintings were made. Therefore, increased efforts are needed to document, conserve, and manage such sites. In this Special Issue, we intend to reflect an interdisciplinary approach spanning the natural sciences (i.e., biology, chemistry, and geology), the humanities (i.e., anthropology, archaeology, and heritage studies), and computerized imaging. Papers are expected to present different approaches to the study of rocks and rock art sites, such that the Special Issue will serve as a venue for sharing novel methods and ideas with researchers from various disciplines. It is hoped that the proposed manuscripts will contribute to scientific-based decisions and a greater understanding of priorities for open-air rock art site management and conservation. Moreover, although the focus of the papers rests specifically on rock art sites, many of the methods and ideas are applicable to other cultural heritage structures built of stone, such as historic buildings and monuments. We believe that such a Special Issue will make an important contribution towards cultural heritage conservation, interpretation, and management.

Prof. Ariel Kushmaro
Ms. Irit Nir
Dr. Liora Kolska Horwitz
Guest Editors

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