Petroglyphs in Mongolia

Mongolia is home to many thousands of carved and painted rock images, typically depicting men and animals in hunting scenes. The petroglyphs are classically interpreted as having a ritual function, as elements of a thanksgiving ceremony or as a call of animals to the hunt; series of dots placed next to certain animal figures appear to represent the number of animals of the same species. Nonetheless the presence of images of carts, yurts and domesticated animals demonstrates that the function of Mongolian rock art is associated with more than simply hunting.

The origins of contemporary Mongolian decorative arts can be readily traced to prehistoric petroglyphs: modern ornamental and symbolic figures are derived from ancient forms of depictions of horns, noses and bodies of wild animals, or from figures such as the cross, symbol of solidity and strength, already common in prehistoric times. In terms of their artistic style and subject matter, the petroglyphs of Mongolia present a visible link with the stone monuments and decorative objects produced by the prehistoric nomads, including deer stones, stelae, saddle and bridle ornaments, branding irons, felt embroidery, pottery and other objects.

In addition, due to their association with sacred and ritual sites, rock art supplies valuable information concerning the spiritual worldview and ritual traditions of the early nomads - many elements of which have been preserved in living traditions up to the present day. Petroglyphs are often situated in complexes associated with ritual constructions such as keregsur and deer stones, or with natural sacred monuments, and the rock images may contain sacred and shamanist figures such as the "sacred tree" symbolizing the link between the three levels of the cosmos, the birthing mother, or the shaman's tambourine.

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