The Rock Art Podcast

Hosted by Dr. Alan Garfinkel, The Rock Art Podcast explores the fascinating world of Indigenous rock art across North America and beyond. Each episode dives into the cultural, spiritual, and archaeological significance of ancient carvings, paintings, and symbols left on stone. Through interviews with experts and Tribal representatives, the podcast highlights the stories, traditions, and research that bring rock art to life. Whether you're a rock art enthusiast, archaeologist, or simply curious about the past, The Rock Art Podcast offers an in-depth look at one of humanity’s oldest and most meaningful forms of expression.

The Portuguese Bench Panel Deconstruction - Ep 153
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

The Portuguese Bench Panel Deconstruction - Ep 153

On today’s show, Chris Webster joins Dr. Alan Garfinkel to deconstruct a fascinating rock drawing panel at Portuguese Bench near Little Lake in western California. There is so much going on with this panel that they only discuss a few of the more prominent elements and possible a few that you might not notice. Follow along by downloading the images and figure out what you can see and what you think it means.

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Recreating Rock Art with Stephen Townley Bassett - Rock Art 152
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Recreating Rock Art with Stephen Townley Bassett - Rock Art 152

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natural materials like ochre, charcoal, and egg shell, Stephen reconstructs ancient paintings in the same way they were originally made—millimeter by millimeter.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.

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Re-imaging Libyan Rock Art with visual artist Shefa Salem al-Baraesi - Ep 151
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Re-imaging Libyan Rock Art with visual artist Shefa Salem al-Baraesi - Ep 151

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.

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Māori Rock Art with Dr Gerard O'Regan - Ep 150
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Māori Rock Art with Dr Gerard O'Regan - Ep 150

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.

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Social Stories In Stone! Community Archaeology and Rock Art with Dr Tertia Barrett - Ep 148
Rachel Roden Rachel Roden

Social Stories In Stone! Community Archaeology and Rock Art with Dr Tertia Barrett - Ep 148

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.

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A podcast about rock art with Dr. Alan Garfinkel, president of the California Rock Art Foundation.

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