Galician rock art as a strategy of Appropriation of Space

Abstract

We offer in this paper the first results of a research project still in course, aiming at the study of Galician petroglyphs from the viewpoint of Landscape Archaeology. To that end, we emphasize the analysis of locational factors of carved rocks and their relationship with the surrounding landscape, rather than stylistic or artistic aspects. In this paper three main areas are considered, two coastal and another inland. Our observations point towards a significant link of the carved rocks with natural routes or good grazing areas. Nevertheless, the differences between the three zones considered would suggest situations of variable pressure on natural resources and, related to that, significant differences in the distribution and density of petroglyphs.