english
This project sets itself the task of restoring the dynamics of the static archaeological finds through spatial analyses of human activities in multi-layered structured painted caves from the end of the last Ice Age. Painted caves are ideal for this purpose not only because of the preservation of original footprints in the still untouched cave floor, which connect the activity zones with each other, but also because the central question of the social context of their use and their significance for the reconstruction of late glacial rituals and beliefs has remained completely unanswered until today. Methodologically, in addition to state-of-the-art digital documentation tools, a new approach to the study of footprints is used in which indigenous trackers of the San from Namibia are included as equal experts in the knowledge process.
The research data generated allows for the implementation of the FAIR principles. This includes the publication and accessibility of knowledge on the basis of appropriate CC licenses, as well as compliance with standards for interpretability, findability, interoperability and reusability of the data. Finally, in addition to the publications, the results are to be communicated to a broad audience in international workshops regularly organised by the project and a travelling exhibition on the background and results of the cooperation with indigenous experts and the results of the proposed long-term project.
A semantic database of the Volp Project