Rock Art
Dig deeper with articles, international site recommendations, and a searchable archive of rock art images.
We meticulously record each piece
A Living Archive. Prehistoric paintings and engravings still exist on six of the world’s seven continents.
With the help of leading archeologists, artists, and indigenous people, the Archive identifies and preserves culturally significant works using sophisticated photography, 3D modeling, and virtual reality technology. We meticulously record each piece in a way that captures its power and beauty.
The Archive then shares this work, allowing users – who may never be able to visit these far-flung places – to experience that work as if they were standing in front of it, allowing the deep past to move and inspire us across time, and beyond language.
Because preserving the artwork naturally draws attention to it, the Archive only shares locations of art that has protected access.
Search our ever-expanding Archive of rock art images from around the world
Making artwork is a basic human instinct
International Public Art Site Recommendations. Making artwork is a basic human instinct. It defines our species and joins us together.
There are millions of ancient rock art sites spread across the world. For preservation’s sake, most of the locations are kept secret. However, some sites are open to the public, and we have compiled an international list of these accessible ancient art sites we recommend visiting. Is there a site you’d like to see on the list? Suggest it here.
When visiting ancient art sites, please tread lightly. Leave things as you found them. All art sites are important, and many are central to the belief systems of the living descendants of the original artists. Please treat rock art, geoglyphs and cave art with the same respect that you would show to artworks in a church, mosque or temple. For more guidelines, please see the Bears Ears Partnership’s Visit with Respect page.