The development and application of a simple methodology for recording rock art using consumer-grade digital cameras

A simple methodology for recording rock art has been recently developed in Australia and tested on Aboriginal rock art, including both petroglyphs and pictographs (engraved and painted images, respectively). The approach was based on commercial photogrammetric software and consumer-grade digital cameras, because it was believed that archaeologists, conservators and site managers need simple and cost-effective methods to record and document rock art. This methodology has been adopted subsequently by the Northumberland and Durham Rock Art Project working in conjunction with English Heritage, to assist in recording 1500 prehistoric engraved panels located across the north-east of England. Significantly, the fieldwork was carried out by enthusiastic volunteers, willing to sacrifice their weekends to capture imagery suitable for digital photogrammetry. This paper explains briefly how the recording technique was developed in Australia before indicating how expertise and equipment were integrated to allow UK-based volunteers to carry out data acquisition and, perhaps surprisingly, also the photogrammetry. This will demonstrate the value of mobilising the voluntary sector for heritage recording, which is feasible only if recording methodologies are based on cheap and simple instrumentation.