Rock on art: Petroglyph sites in the United Arab Emirates

Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy

Volumn 18, Issue 2, 2007, Pages 208-238

  Ziolkowski, Michele C ^a  

^a NONE   (United Arab Emirates)

Author keywords

Petroglyph; Rock art; United Arab Emirates

Indexed keywords

ART; CHRONOLOGY; ROCK;

ASIA; EURASIA; MIDDLE EAST; UNITED ARAB EMIRATES;

EID: 36749039785     PISSN: 09057196     EISSN: 16000471     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0471.2007.00262.x     Document Type: Article

References (215)

1. Many people have provided information and support for this research project. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed al-Sharqi (Ruler of Fujairah, Member of the Supreme Council) kindly permitted the study of rock art sites in the Emirate of Fujairah. His encouragement for this and other projects by the author is greatly appreciated. The Department of Archaeology, Sharjah Emirate and Dr Sabah Jasim have been most helpful and supportive of this project. Mr Essa Abbas (Sharjah Archaeological Museum) has given up much of his time to show the author various rock art sites located in Sharjah. I am also thankful to the Department of Antiquities in Ras al-Khaimah Emirate: Mr Christian Velde, Ms Imke Möllering, Mr Ahmed Hilal, and Ms Beatrice de Cardi, have provided much encouragement. Through their help many of the petroglyphs in Wadi Daftah have been recovered and saved from destruction. Dr Walid Yasin al-Tikriti kindly granted permission for Qidfa material to be discussed and illustrated in this paper. His help is very much appreciated. Ms Katia Davis assisted in the recording of a large number of petroglyphs at Wadi al-Hayl during the winter of 1999. Katia's help and advice is much appreciated. Mr Salah Ali from Fujairah Museum provided information concerning two rock art sites in Fujairah Emirate. Mr Carl Phillips has been most helpful by kindly providing information concerning material from his excavations in Kalba (Sharjah). Ms Karen Cooper helped by contacting members of the Emirates Natural History Group (ENHG), which ultimately led to the notification of sites. The following members of the ENHG helped by providing information concerning rock art sites: Mr Gary Feulner, Mr Allan Carruth, Mr Brien Holmes, Mr Dick Hornby, and Mrs Anne Hornby. Mr Allestree Fisher (ENHG) organised a trip to the rock art site at Hatta, and kindly allowed the author to accompany the group. Mr Peter Hudson and Ms Marijcke Jongbloed provided helpful information concerning the rock art in Wadi Ashwani. Mr Allan Kelly first recorded the site in Wadi Ziqt and brought it to the author's attention. Mr Peter Hellyer has, as always, been very supportive of my work. Dr Mark Beech must be thanked for creating a wonderful rock art map. My parents gave up much of their holiday time to help investigate and record rock art sites, and I am most grateful. Abdullah Suhail al-Sharqi has been dragged to more rock art sites (in all sorts of weather conditions) than he would like to remember. His help and encouragement have been vital. All photographs were taken by the author, except for Figures.2, 45, and 67, which were taken by Ms Georgia Britton, and Figure.38 by Abdullah Suhail Al Sharqi. These are reproduced here by kind permission. Finally, the main aim of this paper was to provide researchers with a starting point for further rock art research. Many of these sites are under threat from mining and development projects. It would be a shame to lose such a vast and interesting corpus of archaeological material.
2. Ziolkowski MC. A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. AAE 9: 1998: 13-89.
3. According to Haerinck, this site was originally located in the Emirate of Ajman. However, the land was later transferred to the Sultanate of Oman. Haerinck E. Petroglyphs at Sinadil in the Hajjar mountains (southeast Arabia). In: Phillips CS, Potts DT & Searight S, eds. Arabia and its Neighbours: Essays on prehistorical and historical developments. Turnhout: Abiel, II: 1998: 79-87.
4. de Ceuninck G. 1998 Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: Emirats Arabes Unis. In: Phillips, Potts & Searight, eds. Arabia and its Neighbours: 33-46.
5. Ziolkowski MC & Hassan SA. Three petroglyphs from the Emirate of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. PSAS 30: 2000: 257-65.
6. This map is not complete and only those sites with known GPS coordinates are illustrated.
7. Regarding the rock art terminology contained within this paper, refer to Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 23-5.
8. A number of rock art sites have also been noted and recorded in the Ruus al-Jibal (often referred to as the Musandam Peninsula) (Sultanate of Oman). Beatrice de Cardi recorded and published sites at Wadi Qidah, Wadi Khasab, Wadi Maqaqah, and Qabal. de Cardi B. Archaeological Survey in Northern Oman, 1972. EW 25/1-2: 1975: 29: Figs.27-30, 34-36. Simon de Marépublished a petroglyph ('camel and rider') from the village of Aghaba. de MaréS. Pictoglyphs in Wadi Kubh. Bulletin of the Natural History Group 21: 1983: 28. David White-Cooper recorded and published a number of petroglyphs from the village of Aqebat Oso. White-Cooper D. Rock engravings in the U.A.E. and Musandam Peninsula. Natural History Group Bulletin 31: 1987: 27-8. Paolo Costa has noted and published rock art from Wadi Bih, Wadi Qida, and Kumzar. Costa PM. Musandam: Architecture and material culture of a little known region of Oman. London: Immel Publishing, 1991: 208-10. Recently Gary Brown (ERWDA) recorded a petroglyph on the western side of Wadi Bih, between the border with the United Arab Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman (N25.81352 E56.15676). The rock measures 50cm in height, 60cm in width, and 110cm in length. Two panels were used containing horse and rider, horse, and anthropomorphic motifs. Brown G. Pers. comm. 2005. The author has also noted several petroglyphs at the village of Sabtayn and a smaller settlement located nearby in the Wadi Bih. The motifs from these sites include horse and rider, various anthropomorphs, ovoid, various geometric motifs, anthropomorphs with detailed jewellery, plant motifs, and dot-in-circles. These petroglyphs have been noted within terrace walls, enclosures, and on Islamic gravestones. A large petroglyph was recorded by the author at the site of Quroon a'Sayd, at the entrance to the Wadi Khab Shamis, Dibba, Oman. This petroglyph contains one large panel with numerous motifs, including anthropomorphs, horse and rider, and various geometric motifs such as the cruciform. The author has also noted two sites in the Omani enclave of Madha, located along the East Coast of the U.A.E. Madha (A): N 25° 18′ 14.3′′ E 56° 20′ 47.0′′ contains seven petroglyphs located on a small rocky outcrop and at the base of the mountains. Madha (B): N 25° 18′ 39.7′′ E 56° 20′ 46.1′′ consists of one petroglyph located on an isolated jabal. Also present at this site are a number of late Islamic period stone-built houses. The motifs from both sites include various anthropomorphs, horse and rider, zoomorphs, and various geometric motifs.
9. For a detailed discussion about 'materials and manufacture'see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 24-7, 56.
10. The Swiss survey team initially noted the presence of a single petroglyph at this site. Corboud P, Castella A-C, Hapka R & Im-Obersteg P. Archaeological Survey of Fujairah, (1987-1990) (United Arab Emirates). Geneva: Swiss-Liechtenstein Foundation for Archaeological Research Abroad, 1991: 13. For a detailed study of sixty-five petroglyphs from the site see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl.
11. al-Kindi M. Pers. comm. 2003.
12. al-Kindi M. Pers. comm. 2003.
13. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 16-17.
14. Ziolkowski MC. A preliminary survey and excavations in the Wadi Saqamqam, Fujairah, U.A.E. Tribulus 13/1: 2003: 3-16.
15. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 17.
16. Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 14.
17. Many of the motifs from Wadi al-Hayl have been compared to dateable archaeological artefacts. For a full discussion see Table 20 in Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 65-7.
18. Jäckli R. Rock art in Oman: An introductory presentation. Zug: self-publication, 1980: 42.
19. See Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 19-20; Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54; Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 257-65.
20. Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 19-20.
21. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59-63.
22. See Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 21. Initially the author recorded eleven petroglyphs at this site. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54. During this study six new petroglyphs were recorded. Unfortunately, P16 has been destroyed by the restoration work, which was undertaken on the watchtower behind the mosque. P3, P4, and P5 have been also damaged and moved from their original locations because of the restoration work.
23. Ziolkowski MC. The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: From the Eve of Islam to the Early Twentieth Century, Volume I. Unpublished PhD thesis: University of Sydney, 2002: 171.
24. For more details see Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 302-7. On p. 306, the author has misunderstood a reference in BJ Slot's text concerning Dutch accounts and the Bidyah mosque. Slot BJ. The Arabs of the Gulf 1602-1784: An alternative approach to the early history of the Arab Gulf States and the Arab peoples of the Gulf, mainly based on sources of the Dutch East India Company. Leidschendam: Veursestraatweg, 1993: 47.
25. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 169-181.
26. The author originally recorded eleven petroglyphs at this site. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54-55.
27. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
28. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
29. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54. There has been a considerable amount of disturbance at the site and the author could not find the petroglyphs on a recent visit. It is presumed that they have been destroyed.
30. Potts DT, Weeks LR, Magee P, Thompson E & Smart P. Husn Awhala: A late prehistoric settlement in southern Fujairah. AAE 7: 1996: 214-39
31. Petrie C. The Iron Age fortification of Husn Awhala (Fujairah, U.A.E.). AAE 9: 1998: 246-60.
32. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
33. The author originally recorded four petroglyphs at this site. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54-55.
34. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
35. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
36. de Cardi B (with a Gazetteer by D.B. Doe). Archaeological Survey in the Northern Trucial States. EW 21/3-4: 1971: Fig. 41.
37. de Cardi B, Archaeological Survey: 255.
38. For a discussion on the chronology of the Late Bronze Age see Velde C. Wadi Suq and Late Bronze Age in the Oman Peninsula. In: Potts D, al Naboodah H & Hellyer P, eds. Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates: Proceedings of the First International Conference on the Archaeology of the U.A.E. London: Trident Press, 2003: 104.
39. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: Fig. 41.
40. Benoist A. Pers. Comm. 2003.
41. Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: Site 24: 11; Benoist A. Excavations at Bithna, Fujairah: First and Second Seasons. In: Hellyer P & Ziolkowski MC, eds. Emirates Archaeology, Volume I: Proceedings of the 1st Annual Symposium on Recent Palaeontological and Archaeological Discoveries in the Emirates, Al Ain, 2003. Al Ain: Zayed Center for Heritage and History, 2005: 71-88.
42. Jongbloed M. Petroglyphs in Wadi Ashwani, Fujairah. Tribulus 4/2: 1994: 19,-24.
43. Jongbloed M. Pers. comm. 2004.
44. Jongbloed, Petroglyphs in Wadi Ashwani: 24. The Swiss also recorded two sites in Wadi Ashwani with undated tombs. See Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 20.
45. Jongbloed, Petroglyphs in Wadi Ashwani: 24.
46. Jongbloed Petroglyphs in Wadi Ashwani: 19.
47. Jongbloed M. Pers. comm. 2004.
48. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
49. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 242: Fig. 35.
50. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 226, -242.
51. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 242.
52. Brass L & Britton G. An archaeological survey of northern Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. AAE 15: 2004: 188.
53. Brass & Britton, An archaeological survey of northern Fujairah: 188.
54. Brass & Britton, An archaeological survey of northern Fujairah: 188.
55. This site was formerly recorded as Wadi Ramth. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54. Petroglyph P2 on the wādī terrace was shown to the author by the local people. Petroglyph P1 was once located at the entrance to Wadi Mai. This large rock was situated beside the dirt track at the base of the mountains, within the modern village. See: Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 87. It has since been bulldozed and destroyed. N 25° 1′ 21.0′′E 56° 16′ 19.7′′.
56. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 10, 35, and 39.
57. P1 was recorded previously. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
58. Preston K. An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content of the Rock Art of Jebel Akhdar. JOS 2: 1976: Pl. 19.
59. White-Cooper, Rock engravings: 26. Further examples of rock art from this area are on display in Dubai Museum. Numerous rock art sites have been noted in the Hatta area: Feulner G. Pers. comm. 2004; Green S. A preliminary survey of the 'boulder art'in the power station wadi, Hatta, Dubai. Unpublished report lodged with ADIAS, Abu Dhabi: 1998.
60. The author visited this site at Hatta with the Emirates Natural History Group on 16th December 2004. Members of the ENHG noted further petroglyphs on the surrounding terraces in the wadi.
61. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
62. Jung M. On Representations of Camels and Camel-Riders in the Rock Art of North Yemen. EW 44: 1994: 241.
63. Jung, On Representations of Camels and Camel-Riders: Fig. 12.
64. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 76-79.
65. Boucharlat R, Dalongeville R, Hesse A & Salaville P. Archaeological Surveys in Sharjah Emirate (U.A.E.): First Report (1984). Sharjah: Directorate of Archaeology, Department of Culture and Information, 1984/ 1997: Pls 12-13.
66. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 75.
67. Al-Shahri AA. Dhofar: Its ancient writings and inscriptions (in Arabic). Dubai: Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing House Co, 1994: Fig. 171; 192.
68. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey in Northern Oman, 1972: Fig. 30.
69. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
70. Located along the mountain ridge above the petroglyphs are the remains of a rock-built wall with circular shaped watchtowers. Originally this wall extended over the mountain slopes (now removed by the coastal highway), and continued further along, adjoining the site excavated by a Japanese team in 2000 and 2001. The excavations at Lulyyah provide evidence of a date from the twelfth to the fourteenth centuries AD. See Sasaki T & Sasaki H. Excavations at Luluyyah Fort, Sharjah, U.A.E. Tribulus 11/1: 2001: 16. Notably, the Portuguese description from the early sixteenth century of Khor Fakkan, mentions that the bay was well protected by a wall on the land side, since the inhabitants were more fearful of 'being attacked by land than by sea'. See, de Albuquerque B. The Commentaries of the Great Afonso Dalboquerque, Volume I. London: Hakluyt Society, 1875: 100.
71. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59-63.
72. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
73. Phillips CS & Mosseri-Marlio CE. Sustaining change: The emerging picture of the Neolithic to Iron Age subsistence economy at Kalba, Sharjah Emirate, U.A.E. In: Buitenhuis H, Choyke AM, Mashkour M & AH al-Shiyab, eds. Archaeozoology of the Near East V: Proceedings of the fifth international symposium on the archaeozoology of southwestern Asia and the adjacent areas. Groningen: ARC-Publicaties, 62: 2002: 200-201.
74. During his journey to Kalba and Fujairah in the 1920s, Bertram Thomas recorded a rock art site at Khutma (Khatam Malaha). See Thomas B. Alarms and Excursions in Arabia. London: Allen & Unwin, 1931: 198-99. This example and others are located on a low mountain slope close to the Omani Insurance Company building, between the borders of the U.A.E. and the Sultanate of Oman. These examples are also situated close to Site 20.
75. Phillips & Mosseri-Marlio, Sustaining change: 200.
76. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 10, 35, 39.
77. Preston, An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content: Pl. 19.
78. The site was first noted by Karen Frifelt in the 1960s. See Clarke C. Rock art in the Oman Mountains. JOS 2: 1976: 13. The site is also discussed in White-Cooper, Rock engravings: 26.
79. Potts DT. The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity, Volume I: From Prehistory to the Fall of the Achaemenid Empire. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990: 365.
80. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: 13.
81. Potts, The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity: 95, 239, 365
82. Potts DT. The Late Prehistoric, Protohistoric, and Early Historic Periods in Eastern Arabia (ca. 5000-12000 BC). Journal of World Prehistory 7/2: 1993: 183.
83. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: 13.
84. White-Cooper Rock engravings: 26.
85. The site was first noted by Karen Frifelt in the 1960s. See Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: 13. A small collection of petroglyphs is also on display in Al Ain Museum (provenance unknown).
86. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: 13.
87. Carter R & al-Tikriti WY. The Archaeology of Jebel Hafit. In: Aspinall S & Hellyer P, eds. Jebel Hafit, A natural history. Dubai: Emirates Natural History Group, 2004: 48-64.
88. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: 13.
89. Ziolkowski MC. A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi Al Hayl, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. Unpublished Honours Thesis: University of Sydney, Australia, 1996: Appendix VI.
90. For information on the hill fort see King G & Maren-Griesebach H. A Preliminary Survey of the Archaeology of Wadi Safad, Fujairah, U.A.E. Tribulus 9/2: 1999: 15
91. Longden G & Garfi S. An archaeological and architectural evaluation of a fort in the Wadi Safad, Emirate of Fujairah. Tribulus 10/1: 2000: 5-7.
92. King & Maren-Griesebach, A Preliminary Survey of the Archaeology of Wadi Safad: 15.
93. Longden & Garfi, An archaeological and architectural evaluation of a fort: 6. Ceramics studied by the author from the site of Husn Safad include a sherd of sgraffiato dated to the twelfth/thirteenth centuries, sherds dated from the sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries, and to the twentieth century, plus a sherd of Wadi Suq period ceramic. Ziolkowski MC. Wadi/Husn Safad ceramic report. Unpublished: 2001.
94. This translation was undertaken by Professor R. Ebied, Department of Semitic Studies, University of Australia, 1996. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi Al Hayl: Appendix VI.
95. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 264-265.
96. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in Arabia: 198.
97. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: From the Eve of Islam to the Early Twentieth Century, Volume II. Unpublished PhD thesis: University of Sydney, 2002: 68.
98. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 68.
99. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 60-61.
100. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 60.
101. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 240-256.
102. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
103. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 153.
104. Ziolkowski Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 257-265. During 2004 part of the site was damaged by workers constructing a new road nearby. Locals from the village of Roweida stopped any further destruction and had the petroglyph fenced off.
105. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 257-265.
106. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 257.
107. Ziolkowski MC & al-Sharqi AS. Bayt Sheikh Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi, al-Fara', Fujairah, United Arab Emirates: An ethnoarchaeological study. AAE 16: 2005: Fig. 45.
108. Ziolkowski & al-Sharqi, Bayt Sheikh Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi: 183-255.
109. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
110. Kelly A. Pers. comm. 2005.
111. Hassan SA. Pers. comm. 2005.
112. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 76-79.
113. Petroglyph P1 was initially noted by workers for the Fujairah Municipality.
114. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey and excavations: 3-16.
115. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 165-167.
116. Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 19;
117. > Courboud P, Castella A-C, Hapka R & Im-Obersteg P. Archaeological Survey of Fujairah, 3 (1993): Preliminary report of the 1993 campaign of the archaeological survey of Fujairah (United Arab Emirates). Geneva: Swiss-Liechtenstein Foundation for Archaeological Research Abroad, 1994: 5-6, 13-15.
118. Weeks LR. Pre-Islamic Metallurgy of the Gulf. Volumes. I & II. Unpublished PhD Thesis. University of Sydney, 2000: 208.
119. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: 34, 40.
120. These burial cairns were noted by the Swiss team in the 1980s. See Corboud et.al., Archaeological Survey: 17.
121. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: Fig. 7b.
122. Boucharlat et.al., Archaeological Surveys in Sharjah Emirate: 12.
123. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59-63.
124. Carruth A. Pers. comm. 2004.
125. This site will be destroyed by roadworks. Many petroglyphs were saved by the Department of Antiquities in Ras al-Khaimah Emirate.
126. Local sources. Pers. comm. 1998. According to M. al-Kindi (U.A.E. citizen and former resident of Wadi al-Hayl) there were a further two petroglyphs in the Wadi Laban.
127. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005. This petroglyph has been published by kind permission of Sharjah Archaeological Museum.
128. Benoist A, Mouton M & Schiettecatte J. The artefacts from the fort at Mleiha: Distribution, origins, trade, and dating. PSAS 33: 2003: 59-60.
129. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: 34, 42.
130. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: Fig. 9. Comparable 'bull'motifs have been recorded in the Sultanate of Oman by Jäckli, who has also noted the stamp seal from Maysar containing a 'bull'motif. See Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 102-106.
131. de Maré, Pictoglyphs in Wadi Kubh: 28.
132. de Maré, Pictoglyphs in Wadi Kubh: 28.
133. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in Arabia: 198.
134. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in Arabia: 198.
135. Phillips CS. Wadi al Qawr, Fashgha 1: The excavation of a Prehistoric Burial Structure in Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E., 1986. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh, Dept. of Archaeology, Project Paper, 7: 1987;
136. Phillips CS. The pattern of settlement in the Wadi al-Qawr. PSAS 27: 1997: 205-18.
137. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in Arabia: 198.
138. Two anthropomorphic motifs were recorded on a 'flanking stone'from the site of the Barbar Temples in Bahrain. These two figures were 'carved'onto the surface of the rock. The flanking stone was recovered from 'Temple II, pool stairway'. Andersen HH & Højlund F. The Barbar Temples, Volume I. Aarhus: JASP, 48: 2003: 168, Fig. 215. The building stones were cut from oolitic limestone.
139. Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar Temples, I: 327. Temples IIa and IIb have been dated from the late third to early second millennia BC, Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar Temples, I: 210, Fig. 266. Whilst neither of these anthropomorphs finds an exact parallel with the known rock art corpus of the U.A.E., they are nonetheless relevant for this study. The two anthropomorphic figures contain features that are comparable to a number of rock art motifs, but they do not provide an exact match. This flanking stone with pecked motifs also demonstrates a 'petroglyph', which is located within a clearly dateable archaeological site.
140. For illustrations see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Figs.20, 25, and 32.
141. One of the two 'snake'motifs appears to have a 'sun'motif for a head.
142. Taha M. The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf during the first millennium BC. Al Rafidan 3-4: 1982-83: Fig. 16
143. Potts, The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity: 361. For a reproduction see Lombard P. L'Arabie orientale àl'âge du fer, II. Unpublished thesis submitted to the University of Paris I, 1985: Fig. 116.
144. Taha, The Archaeology of the Arabian Gulf: Fig. 15.
145. Potts DT. Further Excavations at Tell Abraq. The 1990 Season. Munksgaard: Copenhagen, 1991: 84, Fig. 113.
146. Boucharlat R & Lombard P. The oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age: Excavations at Rumeilah 1981-1983, Survey at Hili 14. AUAE 4: 1985: 51, 55, Pl. 51.7.
147. Magee P, Thompson E, Mackay A, Kottaras P & Weeks L. Further evidence of desert settlement complexity: Report on the 2001 excavations at the Iron Age site of Muweilah, Emirate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. AAE 13: 2002: 141.
148. Benoist, Excavations at Bithna, Fujairah: 80-81, Figs. 13, 14.
149. Bibby G. Looking for Dilmun. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969: 164-165.
150. For illustrations see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Figs.18, 26, 27, and 35.
151. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell Abraq: Fig. 137.
152. Magee P. Excavations at Muweilah. Preliminary Report on the First Two Seasons. AAE 7: 1996: Fig. 26.
153. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah: 208-209.
154. Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar Temples, I: 241, 298, Fig. 782.
155. Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar Temples I: 210, Fig. 266.
156. For an illustration see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 73.
157. For an illustration of P2 see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 94.
158. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah: Fig. 26.
159. Grohmann A. Göttersymbole und Symboltiere auf Südarabischen Denkmälern. Wien: A. Hodder, 1914: 47.
160. Regarding the chronology of the ancient Sabaean period, see Korotayev A. Ancient Yemen: Some general trends of evolution of the Sabaic language and Sabaean culture. Oxford: Journal of Semitic Studies Supplement, 5: 1995: 1.
161. Mathews DM. Principles of Composition in Near Eastern Glyptic of the Later Second Millennium BC. Göttingen: Orbis biblicus et orientalis, Series Archaeologica, 8: 1990: 59-60.
162. Mathews, Principles of Composition in Near Eastern Glyptic: 59-60.
163. A comparable example was recorded from the Sultanate of Oman. See Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Mountains: Plate 7.
164. For an illustration of P49 see Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 64.
165. Site 36, Wadi Daftah P84: A semi-circular line or 'bulge'has been depicted below the camel's stomach. Is this an illustration of a pregnant camel? Petroglyphs P73 and P80 contain camels with mounted riders.
166. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah: 206, Fig. 27.
167. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah: 208-209.
168. See Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age: 61-62, Pls 73.9 and 66.8.
169. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age: 51, 68.
170. Sharjah Archaeological Museum, Case 15, Object 22.
171. Illustrated in Cleuziou S. Early Bronze Age Trade in the Gulf and the Arabian Sea: The Society behind the Boats. In: Potts D, al-Naboodah H & Hellyer P, eds. Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates: Fig. 6. See also Sharjah Archaeological Museum (Case 10, Object 11).
172. Cleuziou, Early Bronze Age Trade: 145.
173. Comparable examples of Motif 7 have been noted in Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman. See Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Table 19. P78 also displays affinities with Motif 10. For an illustration of P9 see
174. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 24.
175. Petroglyph P48 from Site 16, Hatta, also displays similarities with Motif 10. P48 also appears to be part of a grave-type structure. Haerinck has recorded petroglyphs within small circular-shaped graves from another site close to Hatta, Sinadil. Also recorded at the site of Sinadil are examples of Motif 7. See Haerinck, Petroglyphs at Sinadil: 79, 81-82.
176. Site 36, Wadi Daftah: The following petroglyphs contain anthropomorphs, arms raised, with straight swords attached to the waist (with some slight variations): P55, panel 2 (×1), P56 (×1), P69 (×1), P70 (×1) (one arm raised), P82 (×1), P94 (×2) (two anthropomorphs, raised arms, holding hands, with straight swords attached to the waist, and one figure with a bow?).
177. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell Abraq: Fig. 137. This motif comparison was made previously in the study of petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl. See
178. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 65, 84-85. According to Potts, this figure is reminiscent of depictions of the Babylonian illness demoness, Lamashtu. These were depicted on so-called Lamashtu amulets, i.e. small pendants destined to guard the wearer against the demoness. Amulets such as these were particularly common during the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian periods, thus roughly contemporary with the Tell Abraq find.
179. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell Abraq: 96.
180. The seal from Qidfa (QDF.1.86.M.104) has been reproduced and discussed here with the kind permission of Dr Walid Yasin al-Tikriti. This cylinder seal was excavated by al-Tikriti in 1986 from the upper chamber of Site 1 at Qidfa. al-Tikriti WY. Pers. comm. 2005. The motif has been engraved onto the seal with a sharp implement. The motif depicted is of an anthropomorph with raised arms, claw-like hands and feet, and a curved sword at waist height.
181. al-Tikriti WY. Pers. comm. 2005. Note: Material from the Iron Age was also recovered from this grave.
182. Mauger T. Undiscovered Asir. London: Stacey International, 1993. I would like to acknowledge Mr Gary Feulner for bringing this publication to my attention.
183. 'Bi-triangular body-shape'. This descriptive term was first published by Preston, An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content: 21.
184. Comparable motifs have been recorded in the Sultanate of Oman. See Preston, An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content: Plate 13;
185. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 45-48 & 64.
186. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age: Pls 66.5, 73.5.
187. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age: 51, 68.
188. A similar motif has been recorded in the Sultanate of Oman, see Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 48.
189. Similar motifs have been recorded at sites in the Sultanate of Oman. See Preston, An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content: 29
190. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 52.
191. The object under discussion is noted here with the kind permission of Mr Carl Phillips. This motif was found on a facing-stone from an Umm an/ al-Nar type burial, pre-2000 BC in date. It was recovered from the foundation wall dating to the Late Bronze Age, but the motif was obscured by other blocks and not on display. Therefore it seems likely that the motif and block date to the same period as the burial. Phillips C., Pers. comm. 2005.
192. Two similar examples have been recorded at a site in the Sultanate of Oman. See Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 39.
193. This motif is not an exact parallel, but the overall composition is comparable. Petroglyph P19, Site 25, Qidfa East, is extremely comparable to S-262.
194. Ziolkowski MC. The Soft Stone Vessels from Sharm, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. AAE 12: 2001: 69, Fig. 77. S-262 is a 'chlorite-rich', soft stone lid from Tomb I (the long grave) at Sharm, Fujairah, U.A.E. Square 00/06. E 0.88, N 6.10; Layer 4; Level 8.72. Outer diam. 49mm; inner diam. 39mm; knob diam. 24mm; height 25mm.
195. Ziolkowski, The Soft Stone Vessels from Sharm: 68.
196. Ziolkowski, The Soft Stone Vessels from Sharm: 68.
197. Dot-in-circle motifs have also been recorded on petroglyphs in north Yemen. See Jung M. Research on rock art in north Yemen. Naples: AIUON Supplement, 66: 1991: Pl 13a-b.
198. de Ceuninck G. Les Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: Fig. 9.
199. For an illustration of this seal see Weisgerber G. Copper Production during the Third Millennium BC in Oman and the Question of Makan. JOS 6/ 2: 1983: Pl. 5.
200. Weisgerber, Copper Production during the Third Millennium BC: 271.
201. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 77.
202. Berger J. Ways of Seeing. London: Penguin Group, 1972: 8.
203. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 262.
204. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 264.
205. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 264.
206. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 262, 264.
207. Ziolkowski & al-Sharqi, Bayt Sheikh Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi: 183-255.
208. Ethnoarchaeology is the ethnographic study of living cultures from archaeological perspectives. Ethnoarchaeology embodies a range of approaches in order to understand the relationships of material culture to culture as a whole, both in the living context as it enters the archaeological record, and to exploiting such understandings in order to inform archaeological concepts and to improve interpretation. David N & Kramer C. Ethnoarchaeology in Action. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2001: 2. For further discussion concerning the ethnographic approach towards rock art see
209. Ziolkowski A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 74-75; Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petroglyphs: 262-265.
210. The motif on QDF.1.86.M.104, cylinder seal from Qidfa (Fig. 67) is comparable to TA 440.
211. Richardson N & Dorr M. The Craft Heritage of Oman, Volume I. Dubai: Motivate Publishing, 2003: 55. Keith Preston has also commented on the similarity of certain anthropomorphs found in the rock art of Oman and the figures depicted on Omani silver jewellery.
212. Preston, An introduction to the Anthropomorphic Content: 27.
213. Richardson & Dorr, The Craft Heritage of Oman, Volume I: 55.
214. Richardson N & Dorr M. The Craft Heritage of Oman, Volume II. Dubai: Motivate Publishing, 2003: 540.
215. Ziolkowski, A study of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 77.