DOI Artikel:
Krzyżaniak, Lech: Dakleh Oasis project: research on the Petroglyphs, 1990
DOI Seite / Zitierlink:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26389#0063
source is to be combined with the evidence yielded by habitation sites in this area which
are being investigated by a different team of the DOP.
The aim of the research programme concerning the petroglyphs at Dakhleh is to
record the total of these remains in the sample area - square E3 - situated in the
eastern part of the Oasis. The tested area covers the better part of one square kilometer
and in 1988 some 18 petroglyph sites were found here. In 1990 the team continued
making tracings on transparent film and describing in words these remains; some were
re-photographed as well. Eight sites were fully recorded during this season (sites Nos.
61-39/E3/1-8). Also, several other petroglyph sites were found in the area adjacent to
the sample square; a photographical record was made of most of the finds.
i Almost all of the recorded petroglyphs seem to be dated to the time period
between the Early Holocene (S^millennium B.C.) and the 3ri^ millennium B.C.. The majority
depict animals and humans, sometimes in association. These associations seem to refer
to different stages and forms in the development of the human attitude to animals in this
area and turn out to be useful evidence in our studies on this subject. It is worth
mentioning that the animal species depicted in the petroglyphs were identified in the
field by the archaeozoologist of the DOP. Some of the petroglyphs clearly constitute
prehistoric art of high quality. They are executed using different kinds of engraving
and sunk relief; no paintings have been found.
The recorded petroglyphs can be classified in three groups by subject and style.
The first and most numerous group is composed of pictures of animals, only seldom in
association with humans. The species depicted were identified as antelopes, giraffes and
other unidentified quadrupeds, ostriches and schematically executed human figures,
seldom in association with animals. In one case such an association shows a scene of
giraffe hunting by what appears to be men with bows, assisted by dogs (Fig. 1). This
group of petroglyphs seems to have many traits in common with a style defined
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are being investigated by a different team of the DOP.
The aim of the research programme concerning the petroglyphs at Dakhleh is to
record the total of these remains in the sample area - square E3 - situated in the
eastern part of the Oasis. The tested area covers the better part of one square kilometer
and in 1988 some 18 petroglyph sites were found here. In 1990 the team continued
making tracings on transparent film and describing in words these remains; some were
re-photographed as well. Eight sites were fully recorded during this season (sites Nos.
61-39/E3/1-8). Also, several other petroglyph sites were found in the area adjacent to
the sample square; a photographical record was made of most of the finds.
i Almost all of the recorded petroglyphs seem to be dated to the time period
between the Early Holocene (S^millennium B.C.) and the 3ri^ millennium B.C.. The majority
depict animals and humans, sometimes in association. These associations seem to refer
to different stages and forms in the development of the human attitude to animals in this
area and turn out to be useful evidence in our studies on this subject. It is worth
mentioning that the animal species depicted in the petroglyphs were identified in the
field by the archaeozoologist of the DOP. Some of the petroglyphs clearly constitute
prehistoric art of high quality. They are executed using different kinds of engraving
and sunk relief; no paintings have been found.
The recorded petroglyphs can be classified in three groups by subject and style.
The first and most numerous group is composed of pictures of animals, only seldom in
association with humans. The species depicted were identified as antelopes, giraffes and
other unidentified quadrupeds, ostriches and schematically executed human figures,
seldom in association with animals. In one case such an association shows a scene of
giraffe hunting by what appears to be men with bows, assisted by dogs (Fig. 1). This
group of petroglyphs seems to have many traits in common with a style defined
61