Rachel Hoerman

Preliminary abstract: This workshop is an intimate,four-day gathering of 30 international rock art(the non-utilitarian,additive or reductive,human modification of naturally-occurring, fixed-in-place stone) researchers in Salzburg, Austria — a rock art research frontier. Its primary aims are the innovation of rock art research theory, realization of theory-informed practice, and holistic consideration of the ethics and role of rock art research, conservation and outreach in local and native communities. In a March 2016 ‘Rock Art Workshop Need Assessment Survey’ conducted by the workshop organizers, 31 rock art researchers, stewards, professionals and potential workshop participants identified these themes as topics of great interest acutely in need of review and discussion. This workshop will generate fresh theory and fuel new approaches, perspectives and collaborations amongst a broad cross-section of anthropologists, archaeologists, professionals, stewards, and indigenous and native community members engaged in rock art research, conservation and management. The workshop was jointly conceived and initiated by Nathalie Brusgaard and Rachel Hoerman with indispensable support and advice from senior rock art researchers Natalie Franklin, George Nash and Daniel Arsenault. The event will be thematically linked to a March 2016 rock art conservation and management gathering sponsored by the Getty Conservation Institute in order to generate broad dialogue and establish a platform for future collaborations.