Praise for Rock Art of the World

“This splendid, profusely illustrated volume lifts the veil on this little known and oft forgotten dimension of ourselves and relationships to the land. Filled with pages of diverse and compelling imagery, Jeffrey LaFave’s photographs and text emphasize landscape settings with commentary that addresses common needs and motivations that inspired this art, and that in spite of differences, unite humanity through space and time.”

—Polly Schaafsma, archaeologist and author of Images and Power: Rock Art and Ethics and Indian Rock Art of the Southwest

“In Rock Art of the World, LaFave offers an incredible array of photographs with very comprehensible discussion. At first glance I was so impressed with the stunning photographs that I overlooked the logical descriptions about rock art research that complement them. This book will be one to enjoy for many, many years.”

—Dr. Larry Loendorf, President of Sacred Sites Research, Inc., former President of the American Rock Art Research Association, and author of Thunder and Herds: Rock Art of the High Plains

“This wonderful compilation of some of the world’s most interesting and most remote rock art sites fulfills the author’s aim of encouraging people to value and appreciate the wonderful artistic legacy left to us by the early inhabitants from thousands of years ago. LaFave is a skillful photographer and shows the art in its landscape context wherever possible. A great contribution enabling people to see these incredible sites that few will have the opportunity to visit.”

—Dr. Mike Donaldson OAM, photographer, author of Kimberley Rock Art and Burrup Rock Art, and recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Indigenous community of Western Australia

“Having travelled with Jeff LaFave far and wide over the course of the past two decades, I am well positioned to attest to his care and passion that has resulted in the beautiful volume we now hold in our hands. I see Jeff, as ever, burdened with a heavy pack of camera gear; in this moment back lit by a blustery summer afternoon sun, clouds racing across the sky. The pace of our ascent up the rose granite infused slopes of the “Valley of the Marvels” on the flank of Mont Bégo in the French Alps was slowed by fellow trekkers less committed to our focus on the the rock art, and Jeff’s singular focus on capturing the famous “Sorcerer” image in perfect conditions. We ascended as storm clouds built and winds increased, the approaching rumble of thunder bolts drumming across the landscape. We arrived, exhausted, to the “Sorcerer” as the sky above began to blacken and the first drops of rain began to fall. I took my handheld shots while Jeff frantically retrieved his heavy tripod and assembled his rig. At that moment, with absolute dread writ large across his face, he realized that the image was now becoming wet with distracting droplets, and the light was gone. No sooner had the forlorn Jeff packed up his gear than the sky opened, blessed sunlight bathed the landscape, and all signs of raindrops evaporated from the rock formation. With lightning speed, a sight to behold, Jeff mobilized his rig, and captured the stunning image of the “Sorcerer” in its landscape glory that we see in figure 3.3 (p. 34). Just a few minutes later, a true high mountain storm unleashed and drenched our descent, with lightning and thunder ever threatening our exposed retreat. Each image presented in Rock Art of the World carries a similar emotional valence, and a commitment to technical perfection and composition that befits a timeless moment and particular place.”

—Leigh Marymor, compiler of the Rock Art Bibliographic database, former President of the American Rock Art Research Association, founder of the Bay Area Rock Art Research Association