Ilonsoy Rock Paintings

Abstract

Rock paintings are invaluable archaeological sources that offer insight into the cultural, social, and economic life of ancient peoples. The Karatepa mountain massif in Uzbekistan, with its complex of newly discovered petroglyphs, reveals a long history of human activity spanning from the Early Iron Age to the late Middle Ages. Although initial discoveries were made as early as the 1930s, systematic and comprehensive studies of these petroglyphs remained limited until recent years. Aims: This research aimed to identify, document, and analyze rock art in the Ilonsoy Gorge and surrounding regions to understand their historical context and cultural significance. Over 700 new petroglyphs were documented, depicting anthropomorphic figures (such as hunters and horsemen), zoomorphic images (including ibexes, camels, and wolves), abstract symbols, and inscriptions. The diversity in technique and style suggests multiple chronological layers of artistic activity. The study reanalyzed previously known sites while revealing new ones across multiple districts, thus significantly expanding the known corpus of rock art in the region and providing clearer insights into ancient socio-economic structures and belief systems. The findings underscore the importance of rock art as a cultural heritage resource and highlight the need for its preservation. They contribute to understanding the daily life, spirituality, and subsistence practices of ancient communities in Central Asia.