Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean (19.2007(2010))

DAKHLEH

EGYPT

located 20 sites of rock art. Adding sites
recorded last year in the southern and
central part of the wadi, this gives a count of
38 rock art sites in the Painted Wadi itself.


Fig 3. Isolated graphic signs: spirals, crosses and
zigzag lines from the Painted Wadi
(Photos E. Kuciewicz )

The character of the sites found this year
is apparently somewhat different from what
has been recorded in the Painted Wadi so far.
The massive panels with elaborate and
sophisticated scenes are absent here. Instead,
there are simple, individual glyphs, of
Dynastic origin in their vast majority
[Fig. 1]. Evidently older petroglyphs appear
to be rare. Unfortunately, many of the
drawings were simple, isolated graphic signs,
like lines, crosses or stars [Fig. 3], which
cannot be dated even provisionally without
additional data.
Moreover, the density of their
occurrence, compared to that in the southern
part of the wadi, is different. Sections even


Fig 4. Glyphs of Dynastic and later date on two
hills in the Painted Wadi
(Photos E. Kuciewicz)

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Polish Archaeology in the Mediterranean 19, Reports 2007