AlUla campaign reveals details of over 19,000 ancient rock carvings
The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched a year-long campaign highlighting archaeological discoveries, including nearly 20,000 documented rock art panels.
The Royal Commission for AlUla has launched a campaign highlighting over 19,000 ancient rock carvings. The initiative, called "AlUla Heritage," aims to showcase the results of archaeological surveys that have documented 19,802 rock art panels. These panels include more than 66,000 animal depictions and over 11,000 human figures, providing a 12,000-year record of human history in the region.
The campaign covers ten themes, including rock art as a historical record and the role of water in sustaining herding. It also highlights the presence of rare animals such as aurochs, African wild ass, and lesser kudu in the carvings, which help researchers understand past environmental conditions. The surveyed rock carvings reveal shifts in human lifestyles, from hunting ibex, oryx, and ostriches to cattle breeding and herding.
The presence of horse carvings with riders and battle scenes underscores AlUla's historical significance as a hub for trade and communication. The campaign also documents the continued use of rocks as a medium for expression, with 395 carved images of motor vehicles.
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