WEBZINE ACC

What is the first drawing or sculpture of humanity? The first page in art history books always has Venus of Willendorf or cave paintings. Venus of Willendorf is a small sculpture in the size of a palm, which was discovered in Austria by Willendorf. It emphasizes the voluptuous body of a corpulent woman, symbolizing abundance and fertility.

The Lascaux and Altamira cave paintings, which are other famous relics from prehistoric times, exhibit astonishingly realistic depictions and expressions that are almost unbelievable to attribute to primitive people. When the Altamira cave paintings were first discovered, people believed they had been manipulated, not realizing that they were indeed created during prehistoric times. Powerful lines are drawn with one stroke and overlapping animals create continuous scenes. Even though these drawings were created in a time where proper tools were not available, the precise and realistic depictions make them quite plausible.

Paleolithic humans tried to create realistic expressions using a technique in which they kept pigments in their mouths and then blew them onto the cave walls to create images to color the uneven surfaces of stones and used protruding parts of the rock to provide a three-dimensional effect. However, for these early humans, paintings were more than just records.

Rock Drawings of Asia from the Prehistoric Era

The petroglyphs, while not as well-known as the cave paintings in the Western world, are significant historical artworks of Asia from the prehistoric era. They are mainly found in the Altai regions spanning Mongolia, Russia, Kazakhstan, and China. Petroglyphs from these regions are significant in their numbers compared to other regions and have diverse styles and unique formations.

The Altai petroglyphs of Mongolia and Russia mainly depicted animal figures, humans, and symbols. Wild goats that were valued as the native animal of Mongolia and Central Asia, as well as mountain goats, deer, cows, horses, camels, and dogs, can be easily found. In particular, scenes of carnivores chasing herbivores, groups of migrating animals, and hunting scenes are common features in nomadic petroglyphs.

In addition, some petroglyphs feature shapes that combine different objects or have two heads attached to a single body, providing insights into the worldviews of prehistoric people on animals and people. The shape of an animal was formatively simplified and expressed as a symbol, and the shape of an animal’s footprint was symbolized and carved into a rock. The petroglyphs also feature a variety of human figures, including depictions of people hunting, riding horses, giving birth, and performing shamanic activities.

Why Did Humans Draw on Rocks?

The reasons behind the creation of these petroglyphs in the prehistoric era are not entirely clear. There were no written records from that time because no written language existed, and it is challenging to obtain information about the prehistoric era from people currently living in the Altai region of Mongolia. We can only guess by interpreting the numerous pictures carved on the rocks.

Petroglyphs are usually found in places near water or on rock faces at the base of mountains. What did they want to achieve by engraving drawings in these places despite the unfavorable environment? It is revealed through many petroglyphs that these sacred locations may have been chosen for their acoustic properties, like a stage. Moreover, piles of animal bones assumed to be used in sacrificial rituals were found in many petroglyph sites. What do these facts signify?

ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

The ACC has undertaken the “Discovery of Cultural Value and Content Resource of Petroglyphs in Asian Regions” project. The first phase of the project focused on investigating Tsagaan Gol, Tsagaan Salaa, and Baga Oigo, which are the highest peaks near Altai of Mongolia and Russia, and Tepshi and Javkhlant, which are the Gobi Altai regions. The second phase of the project explored petroglyphs in the Kalbak-Tash and Tomsk regions of Russia and collected resources in their original forms. The findings from these projects are now available in the ACC Archive. Among them, here are a few notable petroglyphs.

Petroglyph photo of a carriage rider in the Shiveet Khairkhan region of Mongolia Source | ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

Among the pictures drawn by prehistoric people, the carriage drawings in particular can serve as historical source that helps us understand the origins of carriages, a means of transportation with wheels in Central Asia. The petroglyph from the Shiveet Khairkhan region of Mongolia depicts a two-wheeled carriage pulled by two horses, unfolded like a planar figure. In addition to this place, various pictures of carriages have been found in the Altai region, allowing us to guess how carriages have developed.

Slide film of a person on horseback in the Har Salaa region of Mongolia Source | ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

In the Har Salaa region of Mongolia, petroglyphs depicting horseback riders have been discovered. The image of a person on horseback represents the nomadic way of life and is a commonly found in the Altai region.

A nomad collecting milk in the Tsagaan Salaa region of Mongolia Source | ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

This region’s unique picture of a person milking a cow has a depiction of exaggeratedly large hands. This provides a glimpse into the nomadic lifestyle. However, there are also alternative interpretations. Some view it as a depiction of a person spreading arms wide open and adopting a posture as if one is in labor, with a large beast aside. The combination of a bull and a woman in a birthing position is a mythical motif that has existed since ancient times.

Reference | Vladimir D. Kubarev, Petroglyph Art of Altai, p 80-81

Slide film of a bell-shaped shaman in the Tsagaan Salaa region of Mongolia Source | ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

Petroglyph photo of a shaman wearing an animal-mask in the Tsagaan Salaa region of Mongolia Source | ACC Archive “Petroglyphs in Asia: Altai Archaeological Complexes in Mongolia and Russia”

Numerous petroglyphs associated with shamans have been discovered in the Altai region, shedding light on the shamanism and ritual practices of the prehistoric people that lived in this region. The petroglyph found in the Tsagaan Salaa region of Mongolia depicts a shaman in a bell shape. A female figure adorned with a horn-like decoration on her head is wearing what appears to be a transparent cape. Another petroglyph portrays a shaman wearing an animal-shaped mask. The shaman figures wearing masks of animals like sheep and eagles carry a symbolic and ritualistic significance unique to this region.

We can imagine the way of life of primitive humans at the time by looking at the mysterious Altai petroglyphs. Carving pictures on rocks was a ritual act of wishing for the abundant reproduction of animals and the prosperity of their offspring, as well as an act of worshiping gods.

It is astonishing to face the ancient history of humankind through petroglyphs. The prehistoric people communicated with their contemporaries by carving their hopes and desires onto large rocks that would remain unchanged for a long time.