The petroglyphs of Dowzdaghi, north-western Iran
Year: 2012
Type: article
Abstract: This study deals with recording of two complexes of petroglyphs at Ghermez Kamar and Dowzdaghi in the northern part of Iranian Azerbaijan in north-western Iran. The assemblage of Dowzdaghi divides into four sub-assemblages, designs and images on the surfaces of isolated boulders, mostly constituting panels and sometimes individual motifs and inscriptions. The investigations have revealed more than 400 pounded and scratched drawings on rock boulders of Dowzdaghi Mountain. The Ghermez Kamar complex contains about one hundred motifs pounded or scratched on boulders that are located behind the Dowzdaghi Mountain on a slope of a mountain named Ghermez Kamar. The main themes of the two complexes are an-thropomorphous and zoomorphic figures, and Arabic and Persian inscriptions.Because this rock art is no longer a part of a living culture, we have no first-hand information about the tools used or the methods employed to produce these petroglyphs, or their original meanings. It is possible, however, to produce identical markings by striking the rock surface with a sharp-edged cobble of hard stone, and it appears likely that those who made the ancient rock markings used similar tools. In Iran, petroglyphs are more widespread than pictograms, which are preserved chiefly in dry regions, inside caves and under overhanging cliffs. Several assemblages of petroglyphs from all over Iran have recently been published (Vahdati 2010: 10). The history of rock art studies in Iran dates back to the 1960s, when some pictograms were re-discovered by Izadpanah at Dushe and Mir Mallas rockshelters in the Kuh Dasht area (western Iran) (Izadpanah 1969). In early 2011, the archaeological expedition to Zarkhane site (a pre- Historic site near the petroglyphs) conducted a random survey of the region before starting the excavation and this led to discovering the petroglyph complex. The re-discovery of the Dowzdaghi rock art formed part of a campaign spanning the last decade, to identify the distribution patterns of rock art in the region and show the great potential of north-western Iran (see Rafifar 2002, 2004, 2007; Horshid 2003). In terms of number of engraved surfaces it is one of the largest petroglyph complexes of the north-west Iranian plateau.The complex of Dowzdaghi ('Mountain of Pig') is located 120 km east of Ahar city in Eastern Azerbaijan province, in the vicinity of the village of Dashbolagh Garros, which can be considered as the nearest residential centre to the Dowzdaghi rock art (Fig. 1). The complex of petroglyphs, locally known as 'Yazli Dareh', is located at 1400 m asl, around the Dowzdaghi Mountain in the Qaredagh mountain range. It is dispersed over an area of more than 2 km in length and 2 km in width (Fig 2). The more than 400 petroglyphs can be divided into anthropomorphous figures, zoomorphs, apparent compositions reminiscent of hunting scenes, inscriptions and apparently abstract signs (Figs 3-7).The anthropomorphous figures are frequently shown with one hand raised. Zoomorphs are dominated by what resembles ibexes, elaborated with large curved horns. A wide variety of other zoomorphs occur, including what appear to be equine forms, but without 'riders'. Purported horses with riders seem to depict hunting scenes, sometimes accompanied by what might be dogs, with anthropomorphs carrying 'weapons' such as 'bows'. The Arabic and Persian inscriptions imply that their dating must not be prior to late Islamic era. …
Source: Rock Art Research
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Social Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W225290140