From Questions to Inferences: Methodological Principles for the Use of Experimental Archaeology in Rock Art Research

Abstract

This article addresses the challenge of employing experimental archaeology in rock art research and proposes a structured framework to guide the design and implementation of experiments in this field. It distinguishes between experimental and experiential archaeology, establishing that proper experiments require solid theoretical foundations and rigorous hypothesis testing. A comprehensive methodological approach is then presented, involving trict control of variables and a sequential strategy of pilot, systematic, and replicative experiments that balances internal and external validity. Building on an illustrative example concerning how paint composition influences the long-term preservation of rock art images, the article demonstrates how experimental procedures can conform to standards of scientific rigor, reproducibility, and archaeological relevance. In this context, it addresses aspects related to the connection between laboratory-controlled conditions and field validation, which are crucial to ensure both analytical robustness and contextual applicability. Furthermore, it discusses the inferential constraints of experimental data, emphasizing that these function as heuristic tools for evaluating hypothesis plausibility rather than providing absolute certainties. Ultimately, the proposed approach can be applied to explore a wide range of research questions concerning the production, preservation, and degradation of rock art, enhancing our capacity to formulate empirically grounded inferences about prehistoric artistic practices.

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