Preservation of Rock Art

This talk will outline the principles that guide the role of the conservator who is confronted with paintings and engravings on natural rock surfaces. These are especially common to hunter gatherer societies at any time in history, from ancient engravings dating to 40,000 years ago to recent times.

Topics covered include examples of environmental studies, condition surveys and treatment implementations and the relationship with custodial groups. Through working with such groups the conservator learns respect for the land, the culture and the people and the custodial groups can better understand how modern technology can be used by them, as they choose, to better protect their spiritual heritage.

Andrew Thorn is a conservator working on mural paintings and stone objects with a special interest in the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage. Andrew has spent the past thirty years developing preservation systems, both passive and interventive, for the protection of rock paintings and engravings. His approach applies a combination of environmental solutions, non-contact analysis and materials development, all of which can be equally applied to all facets of heritage preservation. 

An area of special interest is the development of simple field techniques for analysis and documentation, for which he has extensive publications, including eight presentations to IIC Congresses and numerous contributions to several working groups of ICOM-CC, recognizing that dissemination is a vital part of the development process.

You will need an internet connection with a device that supports Zoom. You do not need a microphone or camera to attend.
This seminar will not be recorded.