Discover
The Rock Art Podcast
The Rock Art Podcast
Author: The Archaeology Podcast Network
Subscribed: 33Played: 578Subscribe
Share
© (c)2025 Archaeology Podcast Network
Description
Rock art is one of those things that just captivates your attention. The ancient carvings, drawings, and paintings tell a story. Sometimes we can interpret what that story is and sometimes we can't. World renowned rock art expert, Dr. Alan Garfinkel joins APN founder Chris Webster and a cast of expert guests to talk about rock art: what is it, how do we know how old it is, who made it, and much more. Join us as we take you on a journey through space and time via pictures on rock.
180 Episodes
Reverse
In this episode, Alan speaks with author James W. Graham about his book Where the Moon Stands Still, exploring the remarkable geometry and possible lunar alignments of the ancient Hopewell earthworks in Newark, Ohio. They discuss how researchers Ray Hively and Robert Horn investigated the relationship between the earthworks and the Moon’s 18.6-year cycle, and what these discoveries reveal about Indigenous astronomical knowledge. The conversation also considers the role of curiosity and interdisciplinary research in scientific discovery, the importance of Indigenous perspectives, and the ongoing debate over how ancient earthworks were designed and used.TranscriptsFor a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/174LinksThe Archaeoastronomy of the Newark EarthworksHopewell Ceremonial EarthworksWhere the Moon Stands Still by James W. Grahamwww.jameswgraham.comContactDr. Alan [email protected]. Alan Garfinkel’s WebsiteSupport Dr. Garfinkel on PatreonArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliates and SponsorsMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, Alan speaks with previous guest, Shefa Salem, and her colleague Mohamed Al-Trhuoni, about the remarkable rock art of Libya and their efforts to document, preserve, and interpret it. They explore similarities between Libyan rock art and imagery from other parts of the world, including rain symbolism, animal figures, altered states of consciousness, and shamanic imagery. The conversation also examines the limitations of purely descriptive approaches to rock art and the importance of making Libya’s vast and largely underdocumented record accessible to researchers and the public.LinksShefa SalemContactDr. Alan [email protected]. Alan Garfinkel’s WebsiteSupport Dr. Garfinkel on PatreonArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliates and SponsorsMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, Alan speaks with Dr. George Nash about Ice Age archaeology and rock art in South Wales. They explore the remarkable discoveries at Bacon Hole and Cat Hole, including a painted cave panel rediscovered after disappearing beneath calcite for decades, and a stylized reindeer engraving dated using uranium-thorium dating. They also examine Ice Age hunter-gatherer movement, the changing landscape of the Gower Coast, and how new technologies such as D-Stretch are revealing previously invisible traces of prehistoric art.TranscriptsFor a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/172LinksRediscovered Late Upper Palaeolithic Painted Imagery at Bacon Hole, Gower Peninsula, South WalesDr. George Nash ResearchD-Stretch - Rock Art Digital Enhancement ContactDr. Alan [email protected]. Alan Garfinkel’s WebsiteSupport Dr. Garfinkel on PatreonArchPodNetAPN Website: https://www.archpodnet.comAPN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnetAPN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnetAPN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnetAPN ShopAffiliates and SponsorsMotion Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In this episode, Alan speaks with Stephen Alvarez about his new book, Rock Art: An American Story, exploring the enduring significance of rock art across North America. They discuss Indigenous perspectives, the sacredness of rock art sites, and how ancient imagery continues to connect people with place, culture, and history. The conversation also considers the challenges of interpreting and dating rock art, and the importance of respecting and protecting these remarkable records of the past.
Transcripts
For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/171
Links
Rock Art: An American Story by Stephen Alvarez with Kate Nelson
Contact
Dr. Alan Garfinkel
[email protected]
Dr. Alan Garfinkel’s Website
Support Dr. Garfinkel on Patreon
ArchPodNet
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
APN Shop
Affiliates and Sponsors
Motion
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Dr. Alan Garfinkel talks with archaeologist Robert Yohe about their long collaboration and new insights from Yohe’s work at the Rose Spring site. Yohe describes using many radiocarbon dates from a deep, stratified deposit to refine local chronology and estimate the bow-and-arrow’s introduction around 1,600 years ago, along with a rare ritual feature involving a bighorn sheep skull. They also discuss challenges and progress in dating rock art, including AMS radiocarbon dating of a South Fork Kern River painting to about 1,000 years old, and Yohe previews a major upcoming Rose Spring monograph that revises earlier views on subsistence, settlement, and stone tool reuse.
Transcripts
For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/170
Contact
Dr. Alan Garfinkel
[email protected]
Dr. Alan Garfinkel’s Website
Support Dr. Garfinkel on Patreon
ArchPodNet
APN Website: https://www.archpodnet.com
APN on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/archpodnet
APN on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/archpodnet
APN on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/archpodnet
APN Shop
Affiliates and Sponsors
Motion
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.



