Performance theory: a growing interest in rock art research

Abstract

It is always surprising to find clear examples in archaeology of researchers with common interests working, albeit unintentionally, without any awareness of their colleagues’ allied research. The sub-discipline of rock art research provides a striking example. All rock art practices involve performances of one kind or another. While performance is notionally implicated in rock art studies around the globe, earnest appeals to performance theory are less common. The few studies employing recognisable performance theory to study rock art are largely independent of one another. Consequently, this sub-field has not accumulated insights. It is, nevertheless, a growing interest. This comparative appraisal reviews a selection of performance theory approaches to rock art, drawing attention to their similarities and differences as well as some of the benefits of performance theory. The standard terms, concepts and definitions of performance theory provide a means to coordinate and formalise disparate ideas. Rock art research globally stands to gain from comprehensive, rather than partial, engagements with performance theory.