In this episode, Alan is joined by Stephen Townley Bassett, a forensic artist dedicated to preserving and recreating San rock art with striking accuracy. Using natural materials like ochre, charcoal, and egg shell, Stephen reconstructs ancient paintings in the same way they were originally made—millimeter by millimeter.

With decades of field experience across Southern Africa, his work highlights the intersection of art, archaeology, and conservation, offering a powerful visual record of a fragile cultural legacy under threat.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/152

• Stephen Townley Bassett’s Website
• Stephen Townley Bassett’s artist profile
• Stephen’s Sapien’s article on ‘Re-imaginging Rock Art in Southern Africa’
• Stephen Townley Bassett: Saving African Cave Art - Painted Dog Gallery

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Alan is joined by visual artist Shefa Salem al‑Baraesi, a Benghazi‑based creator whose oil paintings re‑imagine Libya’s archaeological heritage—like the inverted‑figure boat scene from the Acacus cave art—and ancient rituals such as the Kaska dance. Through her realistic, large‑scale works, Shefa transforms written history and myth into evocative visual narratives that resonate with everyday Libyans. Her exhibitions, I Am Libya and Ethnolibya, bring these ancestral images forward as a living, shared national memory.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/151

• Artist - shefa salem
• EXHIBITIONS - shefa salem
• Artists Exploring Libya's History, Cultural Resilience and Rebirth
• Shefa Salem: a Libyan artist, inspired by the history of her country
• ‘All my work is Libya’: Five emerging Libyan artists to watch

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Alan is joined by Dr Gerard O’Regan, a Māori archaeologist and rock art specialist dedicated to preserving the ancient artworks of Aotearoa. With over three decades of research and fieldwork, Gerard shares how these powerful images—painted with natural pigments like red ochre and charcoal—offer a glimpse into early Māori life, belief, and identity.

From the limestone shelters of the South Island to emerging discoveries in the North, Gerard’s work weaves together archaeology, Indigenous knowledge, and cultural stewardship, protecting a fragile visual legacy through Māori-led conservation and community partnerships.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/150

• The Rock Art Network - Gerard O’Regan
• Dating South Island Māori rock art: Pigment and pitfalls
• Episode 6 | Māori rock art | Aotearoa Unearthed

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Alan is joined by by Dr. Tertia Barnett, a leading archaeologist whose work bridges scientific research and community engagement in the field of rock art. Dr. Barnett shares insights from her role as Principal Investigator on Scotland’s Rock Art Project, as well as her previous work on the Wadi al-Ajal Rock Art Project in Libya. Together they discuss the social and cultural dimensions of rock art that highlights the importance of collaboration, accessibility, and inclusivity in understanding ancient visual traditions.

For a rough transcript head over to: https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/148

• Dr Barrett’s Bio
• Scotland’s Rock Art Project
• The Wadi al-Ajal Rock Art Project

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this week’s episode, Dr. Alan speaks with archaeologist and emeritus professor of anthropology, Dr. Dean Snow. A leading expert in ancient populations and Paleolithic cave art, Dr. Snow shares insights into his groundbreaking research on hand stencils in Ice Age caves and what they reveal about gender and social structures in prehistoric societies. Together, they explore the broader implications of interpreting early human symbolism, rock art traditions around the world, and the evolving role of science in cultural heritage preservation.

• Dr Dean Snow’s Bio

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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Rock Art is taking a break this week, so please enjoy this encore episode from last year!

In this week’s episode, Dr Alan speaks with historic preservation specialist and project coordinator of Huliauapa’a, Rachel Hoerman. Along with community members Andree-Michelle Conley Kapoi and her teenage twins, Anais and Oisin, who are involved in the Stewardship and Protection Plan Project for the kiʻi pōhaku at Nu'u Refuge, Kaupō, Maui, they speak about Pacific Rim rock art and heritage stewardship in Hawai’i.

• Dr. Rachel Hoerman

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this week’s episode Dr Alan speaks with archaeologist and educator, Dr Leslie Van Gelder, about the intricate world of prehistoric gender expression with a special focus on finger flutings markings found in Rouffignac Cave—home to some of the most enigmatic finger markings in Ice Age Europe.

For complete transcripts head over to www.archpodnet/rockart/145

• Dr Leslie Van Gelder’s website
• Dr Van Gelder’s Tedx talk on the Archaeology of Intimacy
• Finger Flutings Markings, Rouffignac Cave

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this week’s episode, Dr. Alan Garfinkel speaks with Dr Thierry Aubry, Research Associate at Fundação Côa Parque. Together, they explore fascinating topics related to Dr. Aubry’s latest research, shedding light on groundbreaking discoveries and their broader implications.

For Photos and a transcript head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/145

• Dr Thierry Aubry’s Research Gate
• Côa Parque Museum and Website
• Côa Valley Discoveries

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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In this episode, Dr. Alan Garfinkel speaks with Dr Damien Finch from the University of Melbourne about Kimberly Rock Art and his work on the application of radiocarbon dating to determine the age of rock art. They discuss how scientific techniques can be applied to past human activity and, of course, rock art!

• Dr Damien Finch Biography
• Australia’s oldest known Aboriginal rock paintings
• Light and shade: how the natural 'glazes' on the walls of Kimberley rock shelters help reveal the world the artists lived in
• This 17,500-year-old kangaroo in the Kimberley is Australia's oldest Aboriginal rock painting

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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Dr. Alan Garfinkel is joined by Chris Webster to discuss a very unique rock art panel discovered at Little Petroglyph Canyon in the Coso Range north of Ridgecrest, California. It’s a creation story 2000 to 4000 years old and has some interesting elements. They discuss the image on this week’s episode. What do you think the elements represent?

For rough transcripts and sources for this episode, head over to https://www.archaeologypodcastnetwork.com/rockart/143

Dr. Alan Garfinkel

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