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Rock Art Database

FIELDS. RAD contains only alphanumeric data (text-number-date and boolean fields) and doesn't allow picture viewing. We are planning to translate it in a graphic database (ACCESS or FILEMAKER or other). For the moment it is possible to type in a field the name of the picture-file.

The archive is divided into Rock record and Figure record.

  • The ROCK RECORD contains informations about localization, access, environment, lithology, rock surface, archaeological context, popular tradition context, bibliography, tracing, imaging, discovery.

    Each rock is identified by a 6 types codes: 3 capital letters (the zone) + 3 numbers (the rock). If for example if we are recording the rocks of Vermelhosa in the Côa area (Portugal) we will identify the zone with VRM and first rock with VRM001 code, and son on.

rock record

    There are objective (standard) descriptions translated in boolean fields (Yes/No). For example, in the environment sector, the record compiler must note if there is or not the vicinity of roads-paths, rivers-water, villages, faith ways-places, and so going on.

    Text fields are very important, allowing, if needed, a detailed description of each feature. Obviously it will be always a subjective description, depending from the researcher. But it is the only way to leave space for any unforeseeable (sometimes very important) data.

rock record



  • The FIGURE RECORD identifies each figure by the same code of the rock, adding the sector (capital letter/letters) and the No. of figure (number). In this way VRM001-AA234 will be the figure No. 234 of the sector AA of the Rock No. 1 of the Vermelhosa area.

    Figure is described also by category (1 capital letter, e.g. A=anthropomorphs) and style (1 number, e.g.=Iron Age). Style, originally related to Valcamonica Rock Art (which periods are well know in relation to the superimpositions and to the depiction of archaeological objects), identifies a (pre-)historic period.
    So an A5 figure is a human figure of the Iron Age.
figure record

    Both category and style description can be changed accordingly to different rock art cultures. If for example standard (European) style periodisation doesn't match, style 5 (Iron Age) can be changed in another period or in another description (e.g. "Fremont" or "Guarań").

    A second more specific way of coding was added, from 1 to 99. These codes, contained in a separated database, can be changed in order to be suitable for each local necessity. Thus being recorded as numbers they are translated by the program, in output files, in a descriptive text line. So #12 category will describe (if stated) a "Sword weaponed warrior".

    All changes must be typed in the fileds of the databases (STILE.DBF, CATEG.DBF, CATSPEC.DBF). The program will automatically generate updated help files with the new codes.
figure record