<P> In archaeology , rock art is human - made markings placed on natural stone ; it is largely synonymous with parietal art . A global phenomenon , rock art is found in many culturally diverse regions of the world . It has been produced in many contexts throughout human history , although the majority of rock art that has been ethnographically recorded has been produced as a part of ritual . Such artworks are often divided into three forms : petroglyphs , which are carved into the rock surface , pictographs , which are painted onto the surface , and earth figures , formed on the ground . The oldest known rock art dates from the Upper Palaeolithic period , having been found in Europe , Australia , Asia and Africa . Archaeologists studying these artworks believe that they likely had magico - religious significance . </P>
<P> In archaeology , rock art is human - made markings placed on natural stone ; it is largely synonymous with parietal art . A global phenomenon , rock art is found in many culturally diverse regions of the world . It has been produced in many contexts throughout human history , although the majority of rock art that has been ethnographically recorded has been produced as a part of ritual . Such artworks are often divided into three forms : petroglyphs , which are carved into the rock surface , pictographs , which are painted onto the surface , and earth figures , formed on the ground . The oldest known rock art dates from the Upper Palaeolithic period , having been found in Europe , Australia , Asia and Africa . Archaeologists studying these artworks believe that they likely had magico - religious significance . </P>
what is the art of drawing or painting on stone called
what is the art of drawing or painting on stone called
pictographs
pictographs