Rock Art Research· 2026Q1
THE ICONOGRAPHIC GENEALOGY AND CULTURAL SPACE RECONSTRUCTION OF NEWLY DISCOVERED ROCK ART IN THE ILI RIVER VALLEY ON THE NORTHERN ROUTE OF THE SILK ROAD
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- Q1SCImago
- 2026year
Short summary
Newly discovered rock art in the Ili River Valley, dated using microerosion techniques, shows strong iconographic and stylistic links to Saka and Wusun cultures, serving as markers for ancient pastoralist transhumance and territorial claims.
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Key points
- Four new rock art sites were discovered in the Ili River Valley.
- Microerosion dating techniques were employed for analysis.
- The rock art exhibits strong iconographic and stylistic links to Saka and Wusun cultures.
- Site distribution aligns with seasonal transhumance dictated by vertical zonation.
- Rock art served as landmarks for social memory and territorial claims by ancient pastoralists.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
As a key geographical unit in the heart of the Eurasian continent, the Ili River Valley has long served as a pivotal hub where Eastern and Western civilisations converge. Drawing upon four newly discovered rock art sites in the Ili River Valley and incorporating the latest data from microerosion dating techniques, this paper systematically examines the iconographic genealogy and cultural spatial attributes of the region’s rock art. The research reveals that the rock art of the Ili River Valley shares profound affinities with the Saka and the Wusun culture in terms of iconographic motifs and stylistic features. Its spatial distribution strictly adheres to the seasonal transhumance dictated by vertical zonation; consequently, the rock art sites serve as silent landmarks through which ancient pastoralists constructed social memory and asserted territorial claims at key ecological niches. These rock paintings are not merely artistic expressions, but also crucial physical evidence for understanding early cultural exchanges and ethnic interactions along the Northern Silk Road.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Rock Art Research, 2026 · DOI ↗
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Field: Archeology (Social Sciences)
ArcheologySocial Sciences