Handbook of rock art research

Choice Review

This 863-page tome presents a comprehensive discussion of rock art research worldwide through a compendium of 24 scholarly essays by as many eminent authorities. However, the 45-page introduction by the editor reads rather like a dissertation. The substance of the volume comes through the essays, most of which were written by outstanding rock art researchers throughout the world, covering nearly every aspect of rock art research ranging from recording methods, management planning, and conservation to recent age-dating methods and analysis. Interpretation of rock art has always been difficult, and too often subjective. However, the authors of this outstanding compilation present excellent discussions on style, classification, and structure and use various methods--such as semiotic approaches, ethnographic studies, and even neuropsychological approaches--to shine some scientific light on rock art in order to illuminate this difficult subject. Over half the book is an illustrated, well-researched, and well-written section titled "Overview of World Rock Art." Geographic areas covered are North and South America, Paleolithic and post-Paleolithic Europe, Australia, Oceania, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. Highly recommended for upper-division undergraduates through professional/practitioners, the book may be too specialized and scholarly for others. F. G. Bock emeritus, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo