Traces is an ongoing project which explores archaeological documentation techniques involved in the conservation of prehistoric rock carvings. 

Rock carvings are an important part of human history but they are rapidly being destroyed by changing environmental conditions. As they are usually situated in the open landscape they are exposed to extreme weathering and air pollution. This project emerges from collaboration with archaeologists and rock art specialists on the documentation of prehistoric rock carvings in the UNESCO world-heritage site of Tanum, Sweden. Conservation work at the heritage site is concentrated on the rock panels that are most affected by the damaging effects of changing climatic conditions. The archaeological “frottage” – a rubbing of the carved areas on the panel made with carbon paper – forms an important part of the recording process. By adopting the archaeological rubbing method I initiated a journey across the mountains and valleys of my home region in the Italian alps, to identify and register rock formations marked by its prehistoric inhabitants.