20,000 hours rock art

Citation

Sequeira JL, Santos J, Casimiro T, Texugo A & Carvalho LV (2026) 20,000 hours rock art. World Archaeology, pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/00438243.2026.2626032

Abstract
This paper explores a unique case of contemporary rock art on a cement wall at Ponta dos Corvos, Portugal. Over 60 years, individuals carved names, dates,symbols, and messages on the wall, transforming it into a palimpsest of personal and collective memory. What began as informal graffiti has become an archaeological record that reflects the identities, emotions and social practices of successive generations. By applying different methods and analysis,this study examines the wall’s inscriptions, framing them as a form of modern rock art. By investigating the motivations and meanings behind these engravings and drawing on testimonies from people who created some of the marks,this paper highlights the importance of contemporary sites in understanding social behaviour and collective identity. The findings contribute to the broader discussion of how contemporary material culture, such as graffiti, should be studied and preserved as cultural heritage

Keywords
contemporary archaeology; community memory; graffiti; rock art; identity

Journal
World Archaeology

• 20,000 hours rock art