Mette Rabitz Johansen

University of Copenhagen, Saxo Institute, section for prehistoric archaeology, Alumna

Scandinavian society for prehistoric art, Tanums Hällristningsmuseum, Underslös, Alumna

Followers

Following

Public Views

Website: www.metterabitz.dk
A website concerning documentation of rock carvings!

less

InterestsView All (14)

Uploads

Papers by Mette Rabitz Johansen

3D-Documentation anD analysis of rock carvings

In order to comprehend the problem, it is necessary with some background information about the ro... more In order to comprehend the problem, it is necessary with some background information about the rock carvings in this area. The carvings are usually divided into a northern tradition with motifs related to hunting (9000-2000 BC), and a southern tradition created in BronzeLate Iron Age (1800 BC – 400 AD) with motifs related to agriculture and battle scenes (Mandt & Lødøen 2005: 4). In Denmark 2,000 rock carving sites are known; in Norway there are 5,000, and in Sweden there are as many as 21,000 sites (Glob 1969). Just in the Swedish area Bohuslän, there are 1,500 sites (Ling 2008: 1). Bohuslän and its neighboring area, Østfold, in Norway should be considered one rock carving area, and archaeologist John Coles estimate that this area includes 75,000 motifs (Coles 2005: 17). These numbers give an impression of the challenge cultural institutions face today. The threats to rock carvings are many and diverse. Biological factors are some of them. The growth of algae and lichens slowly des...

Download

3D-documentation and analysis of rock carvings

Due to changes in climate and weather many of the South Scandinavian rock carvings are in a poor ... more Due to changes in climate and weather many of the South Scandinavian rock carvings are in a poor preservation state. The carved motifs erode, and become increasingly difficult to detect. The rock surface is harmed by different climatic, environmental and biological factors. Unfortunately, the amount of rock carvings is too high to preserve them all for the future in situ. But if we cannot save all carvings, can we instead preserve them for future research through documentation? The great amount of rock carvings makes it necessary to use recording methods which are accurate, quick and manageable. One solution could be to document them realistically with image-based 3D reconstruction. In this article the author illustrates a critical analysis of image-based 3D reconstruction applied to the documentation of rock carvings, comparing it to two traditional 2D recording methods, tracing and rubbing. The methods will be evaluated for their potentials and limitations concerning applicability, manageability, time consumption, and objectivity. This analysis draws upon the work which the author has done for her Master’s thesis in Prehistoric archaeology

Download