Digital Image Processing and the Recording of Rock Art

With the advent of low-cost, high-powered computers, access to digital image processing is becoming more common and within reach of every researcher. Many techniques are available to extract information by computer manipulation of images and, therefore, this approach has great potential for the study of rock art. Processing procedures such as selective contrast enhancement, study of detailed areas, edge enhancement, multiple image superimposition etc. provide a broad range of tools that can greatly enhance our understanding of rock art. As all of the processing and analysis can be done in the laboratory these techniques are also very cost effective. In addition, they provide a non-destructive method of recording and analysing rock art. The potential of image processing techniques will be illustrated by reference to the post-Palaeolithic rock art of the site of Selva Pascuala (Cuenca, Spain).