This award is for excellence in an original essay, video, or audio presentation in rock art research. It does not restrict the subject matter, scope, or the nature of the report or research, or any other factor other than excellence in rock art research.
Eligibility extends to any individual who is doing rock art research, including ARARA members or non-members. The location of the study may be anywhere in the world.
Consideration will be given to work that exhibits originality and thoroughness of investigative work in rock art research. Essays which have been previously published, either in their entirety or in substantial part, are not eligible. Essays which report on projects for which the author received funding through a contract or research grant are not eligible.
Nominees do not need to be ARARA members but must agree to present their material at the next ARARA conference should they receive the award.
An award recipient will receive $1000 and a certificate at the ARARA conference.
Applicants must submit their research award application to ARARA by January 31st.
The ARARA link above is a general contact page. Indicate that you are
applying for the Castleton Award and we will forward your email
to the Committee Chair for that award who will contact you directly for
the application. The application should include:
A copy of the essay, video, or audio presentation
A letter of introduction summarizing the nominee's previous work in rock art both for the submission and other rock art related work.
Past recipients include (award not given in years not listed):
1983: Paul Faulstich Spirits on the Rock: Symbol and Structure in North Queensland, Australia, Rock Paintings.
1985: Judith S. and Jesse E. Warner To Slay a Dragon.
1988: William Breen Murray Antlers and Counting in Northeast Mexican Rock Art. Special Recognition: Mary K. Allen New Frontiers in Rock Art: The Grand Canyon.
1991: Ronald I. Dorn Paleoenvironmental Signals in Rock Varnish on Petroglyphs.
1996: Marian Hyman and Marvin Rowe Plasma-Chemical Extraction and AMS Radiocarbon Dating of Pictographs
2003: Reinaldo Morales, Jr. Nordeste Rock Art and the Ekwimyatipa
2008: David and Charlotte Lee Finding Yidumduma
2015: Chloe Berghausen The Writing on the Walls: Neolithic Rock Art at the Ness of Brodgar
2017: Margaret Berrier (Marglyph) Looking at an Old Dog With New Tricks: Review and Documentation of Jaguar Cave, A Unique Painted Shelter in West Texas
