More than 500 new petroglyphs discovered in China’s Helan Mountains — ECNS
More than 500 previously undocumented petroglyphs were discovered during a renewed survey of a rock art complex in the Helan Mountains in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwestern China. Among the finds is an image of a chariot drawn by four horses, which had not previously been found in this area, ECNS reports.
Chariot on a partially buried boulder
The petroglyph depicting a four-horse chariot was found on a boulder that was partially covered with soil. The report notes that such images are exceptionally rare in Chinese rock art. The find provides new material for studying the means of transportation and social life of ancient nomadic peoples in northern China.
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Renewed survey underway since 2020
The first comprehensive study of the Helan Mountains rock art was conducted in 2002–2003. At that time, specialists documented more than 5,600 groups of petroglyphs. However, equipment capabilities and field conditions did not allow for the full documentation of some images hidden beneath debris and a shallow layer of soil.
The new survey began in 2020. It combines field inspections, drone mapping and visualization methods to determine the location, measure and document each petroglyph. Researchers also monitor the condition of already known images and record the effects of weathering and damage caused by freeze-thaw cycles. The site administration stated that all newly discovered petroglyphs will be digitized and added to the monument protection database.
