GLOBAL ROCK ART DATA BASE:

Global Rock Art Data Base home page.

http://www.rockartdatabase.com/v2/.

An interesting new development in rock art recording has come out of Australia with Robert Haubt's Global Rock Art Database (GRADB). Unlike most rock art Internet sites which focus on "see my pretty pictures," or using rock art to prove Creationism, or any of the other many personal goals of the creators of the websites, Haubt has built a framework for projects and data from all over the world. I believe his aim is to, in effect, build the central library for everyone's rock art studies. Even at its early stages the GRADB provides a wealth of interesting information and provides links to many projects and destinations. This project forms part of his "PhD thesis which is looking at digital data management in rock-art heritage." (Haubt 2015)

The Rock Art Data base currently has "over 200 sites, projects, and other resources currently listed on a world map. The Rock Art Database brings together hundreds of rock-art projects from around the world in one centralized hub. Find some of the most amazing rock-art places from around the world through our interactive map and explore stunning media galleries showcasing photographs, videos, 3D models and virtual tours." (Haubt 2015)

"Mission:

The Rock Art Database is a non-for profit online project at PERAHU, Griffith University in Australia. It seeks to improve theory and practice in the digital curation of rock art data through building a centralized global heritage community network. Through the use of new technologies the database offers new ways to look at heritage data and explores the potential in digital curation." (Haubt 2015)

This is a very ambitious project which I believe will prove to be of great value. It will eventually include "Interactive Media Presentations: hundreds of photographs, maps, 3D models, Virtual Tours." (Haubt 2015)

His stated goal is to provide a resource will contribute to developing a rock art community where people can "upload, manage, share, and discuss, to assist conservation, preservation and education in theory and practice by making rock-art related issues more accessible and more visible. " (Haubt 2015)

Check this out for yourself. Go to http://www.rockartdatabase.com/v2/, see the exciting possibilities, and get on board with Robert Haubt and the Global Rock Art Data Base.

                              

REFERENCES:

http://www.rockartdatabase.com/v2/

Robert Haubt (personal communication).