Abstract

Author:
Giriraj Kumar, translated by Jing Che, Xiang Wan

Doi: 10.7508/jra.02.2023.98.103

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License CC BY 4.0, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Questions in rock art studies need to be answered scientifically, including how can we use it for understanding the cognitive, cultural and epistemological development of humans, place rock art in proper chronological order, or effect its conservation and protection. After so many decades of applying the traditional archaeological approach, it has helped us little to answer significant research questions. For answering these questions correctly, we have to change our mindset and adopt a scientific approach. That means our studies should be based on testable propositions. We need to understand the lithology, taphonomy, topography, sedimentology, palaeoclimate of the sites and the epistemology of our ideas about rock art. We also need to be able to effectively discriminate between natural and anthropogenic rock markings and use modern recording methodology, apply scientific dating methods and learn how to conduct rock art replication.
岩画研究中的一些问题需要科学地回答，包括我们如何利用它来理解人类的认知、文化以及认识论的发展过程，以及将岩画置入适当的年代序列，或对其保护施加影响。应用了数十年的传统考古学方法对我们解决以上问题几乎毫无帮助。为了正确回答这些问题，我们必须转变观念并采取科学方法。这意味着我们的研究应基于可验证的命题。我们需要了解岩画遗址的岩石学、埋藏学、地形学、沉积学、古气候，以及我们对岩画的认识论。我们还需要能够有效区分自然和人为的岩石痕迹，使用现代化的记录手段，应用科学的测年方法，并学习如何对岩画进行复制。

KEYWORDS
Rock art science; Epistemology; Methodology; Mindset
岩画科学；认识论；方法论；思维模式