Hidden Sites, Hidden Images, Hidden Meanings: Does the Location and Visibility of Motifsand Sites Correlate to Restricted or Open Access?
![Thumbnail](/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10234/190777/roman_2020_hidden.pdf.jpg?sequence=5&isAllowed=y)
View/ Open
Impact
![Google Scholar](/xmlui/themes/Mirage2/images/uji/logo_google.png)
![Microsoft Academico](/xmlui/themes/Mirage2/images/uji/logo_microsoft.png)
Metadata
Show full item recordcomunitat-uji-handle:10234/9
comunitat-uji-handle2:10234/8018
comunitat-uji-handle3:10234/8622
comunitat-uji-handle4:
INVESTIGACIONMetadata
Title
Hidden Sites, Hidden Images, Hidden Meanings: Does the Location and Visibility of Motifsand Sites Correlate to Restricted or Open Access?Date
2020-07-14Publisher
SpringerISSN
1072-5369Bibliographic citation
Domingo, I., Smith, C., Jackson, G. et al. Hidden Sites, Hidden Images, Hidden Meanings: Does the Location and Visibility of Motifsand Sites Correlate to Restricted or Open Access?. J Archaeol Method Theory 27, 699–722 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10816-020-09465-8Type
info:eu-repo/semantics/articlePublisher version
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10816-020-09465-8Version
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionSubject
Abstract
Using an ethnographic approach, this research assesses common assumptions in rock art research in terms of their validity for Aboriginal rock art sites in the Barunga region of the Northern Territory, Australia. In ... [+]
Using an ethnographic approach, this research assesses common assumptions in rock art research in terms of their validity for Aboriginal rock art sites in the Barunga region of the Northern Territory, Australia. In particular, we assess the potential and limits of the commonly held assumption that open or restricted access to sites and/or the meaning of motifs can be assessed by determining the visibility of the site or image within the landscape. This research calls into question some assumptions that are core to contemporary archaeological method and theory. Our results challenge the notion that a secluded location, or difficulty of access, is needed to restrict access to a site. “Hidden” sites do not need to be hidden, as site access is controlled by a plethora of cultural rules. Moreover, sites that appear to be hidden within the landscape may be open access sites, although access may be restricted for periods of time. Conversely, sites that are visible and accessible from a landscape perspective can be subject to restricted access, regulated through social rules. In addition, the results question the notion that the control of secret information in rock art sites is determined by the visibility and location of motifs and sites. Hidden meanings are not necessarily related to hidden locations or the low visibility of the art, since cultures can have many other ways of hiding meaning. Finally, the results of this study challenge the commonly held dichotomy between sacred/restricted access and secular/open access. [-]
Is part of
Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory (2020) 27:699–722Investigation project
DP190102219 and DP0453101, HAR2016–80693-P, European Union’s Horizon 2020/No 819404Rights
© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
This item appears in the folowing collection(s)
- HIS_Articles [436]
The following license files are associated with this item: