Rock Art within the Precontact Caribbean Physical and Cultural Landscape

Abstract

Rock art played a central to reinforcing role within the Caribbean’s precontact cultures. Designs on both non-portable and portable rock surfaces would have been a critical element in the thought, practice and performance of the area’s spiritual life, as well as at least underpinning interconnected activities with the sociopolitical and economic realms. Non-portable rock art enjoys a particular advantage as a topic of investigation since it was made and remained in the same location within the physical environment, offering a tangible link between its production and subsequent functions within Antillean societies. Research concerning the nature of the images and their societal meanings is longstanding, covering a wide range of issues as the following discussion outlines. After key data such as the types and locations of rock art are presented, certain investigative themes are examined involving dating, thematic or area studies, the intertwined development of rock art and sociopolitical systems, and rock art as art

produced by artists.