ROCK ART VISITORS’
CODE OF CONDUCT
1. Never touch rock art or pour liquids on it. Liquids thrown or
sponged over paintings cause incredible damage.
Even touching a painting leaves sweat on the rock, speeding up fading.
2. Drawing with chalk to make images photogenic can destroy later
possibilities of scientifically dating their varnish.
3. Walking over engravings eventually leaves ugly scars in the rock
varnish and seriously damages fragile images by breaking bits off
engraved surfaces. Climbing slopes and cliffs can dislodge or break off
loose rocks also causing damage to engravings. It is better to
view engravings from a distance rather than to climb up to or
over them.
4. Remember others are coming after you. Do not discard litter, and
take all your rubbish with you.
5. We don’t need to tell you not to add your own graffiti – this
destroys the art for all future generations. Think about other visitors
who will come after you.
These sites and all you find at them are part of our national heritage
so please respect them. Please also respect the traditions and
requirements of the Abasuba people. In particular, please ask
permission before taking any photos of people.
Visiting Rock Art Sites
If possible, read about rock art before setting out, this will
immeasurably enhance your understanding and, thus, your enjoyment. Take
the trouble to make sure you will be travelling with a really
knowledgeable guide. Make certain sufficient time is allowed in your
schedule to view the art properly. Once at the site, you will want to
spend time viewing and photographing as well as finding out more about
it. Some sites have thousands of images and cannot be appreciated in a
mere half an hour.
Engravings are best viewed in morning or evening light when the sun
rakes across them creating shadows in their engraved lines. Paintings
are usually best seen when shaded, as bright sunlight can obscure faded
colours causing them to almost disappear.
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& images ©
2008 TARA