Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (15.2003(2004))

DAKHLEH OASIS

EGYPT

INSPECTION OF ROCK ART SITES

An inspection of rock art sites situated in
the eastern part of the oasis opened the
season. The sites included those discovered
a long time ago by Winkler3) and located
and recorded again by the Petroglyph Unit
as well as those discovered and recorded in
the course of systematic fieldwork by this
Unit in past seasons {Fig. 1).
Overall, it was observed that the sites
have been visited and in some cases the
petroglyphs vandalized. The engraved
lines and sunken surfaces were occasionally
filled with white chalk apparently to
enhance photography. Also, the deterio-
rated visibility of some of the petroglyphs,
cut in the generally soft Dakhleh sandstone
rock, seems to be due to touching with the

naked hand, if not with a heavier tool. In
one case at least, a unique piece of art
mobillier — a large block of sandstone with
one side covered with petroglyphs
depicting antelopes and men in dogs,
recorded atop a major hill — could not be
located by the Petroglyph Unit field party.
Traces of vandalism and disappearance
were observed in association with numer-
ous vehicle tracks indicating the presence
of what were most probably tourists.
Therefore, the Unit has decided not to
publish any maps showing the location of
the petroglyph sites in the Dakhleh Oasis
in order to make them less accessible to
the public and thus protect them from
potential vandals.


Fig. 1. Predynastic petroglyph site being inspected in the Eastern Dakhleh
(Photo L. Krzyzaniak)

3) H.A. Winkler, Rock-Drawings of Southern Upper Egypt II, The Egypt Exploration Society (London 1939)-

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