Rock Art Research

In appraising the value of the etic interpretations of cupules, this wide-ranging review of the potential applications of forensic principles in their scientific study illustrates the huge credibility gap between impulsive etic explanations and a scientific approach. The interdependence of lithology, technology, morphology and taphonomy of cupules provides insights into some of the variables all petroglyph research must address. Replication studies have provided first sound data about cupule production and offer considerable potential for biomechanical enquiries, but also provide impetus for investigations into the production of cupules. Forensic studies focus on variables such as production technique and the tool types used. For instance such studies can discern between the traces of metal and stone implements, or even bone tools. They range from the investigation of tool traces to the tribochemical effects of tool application, and the surviving products of modification processes. Tectonite formation is a remarkable outcome of such mineral conversion, and after its recognition in cupules has been found to occur widely in geology. Rock art research is heavily indebted to the geological sciences, but this may be the first time that the former discipline has contributed to the latter by explaining unknown phenomena.