Mongolia - Petroglyphic Complexes in the Mongolian Gobi

1. Petroglyphic complex of Del Uul mountain Ulziit soum, Dundgovi province N44 27 12.3 E105 47 26.4 2. Petroglyphic complex of Bichigtiin Am Bayanlig soum, Bayankhongor province N44 17 11.8 E100 31 20.7 3. Petroglyphic complex of Javkhlant Khairkhan mountain Khanbogd soum, Umnugovi province N42 53 36.5 E106 53 36.5 Petroglyphs considered as one of the most widespread cultural heritage of the world, and Mongolia is one of the countries that rich with it. The following three petroglyphic complexes are outstanding representatives of the petroglyphs in the Mongolian Gobi. 1. Petroglyphic complex of Del Uul mountain The mountain Del Uul, stretches 25 km from east to west and is located in the territory of Ulziit soum, Dundgobi province. From its lower base to the peak the eastern face of the mountain is covered with petroglyphs of various types of animals, human beings and symbols that engraved in different historical time period. Animal images such as ibexes, horses, riders, camel, and anthropomorphic images are the most common. 2. Petroglyphic complex of Bichigtiin Am The petroglyphs of Bichigtiin Am are entirely concentrated on a one small rocky mountain rising abruptly from the deep valley of Bichigtiin Am, Ikh Bayan mountain of Bayanlig soum, Bayankhongor province. There are hundreds of images of human beings, animals and symbols (tamga) there were engraved by the prehistoric people on the rocks. The first petroglyphs were likely to have been made approximately 3000 years ago BCE and people had continued to add illustrations until the 8th century CE. Men riding horse or camel with horse, cattle and camel herds as well as hunting scenes and men with carts are common image among these rock arts. Men are illustrated riding horse with or without saddle. An image of cattle pulling a plough and man directing it is one of the rare artefacts related to farming found in Mongolian Gobi region. 3. Petroglyphic complex of Javkhlant Khairkhan mountain The mountain of Javkhlant Khairkhan is higher than the mountains nearby. West of this mountain there are two hills in line, in south there is a wide steppe and in north there is a valley and dry river – this landscape make this mountain special and important. Therefore the local herders venerate and worship this mountain naming as “Khairkhan” and they maintain an ovoo (cairn) on its peak. This is connected with ancient peoples’ beliefs and worship as well – they engraved hundreds of petroglyphs on the rocks of this mountain. There are over 200 petroglyphic scenes of which most of them are engraved at the top.