Greek petra = stone
glyphe = to draw
"used to denote pictures drawn or etched onto stones, drawings, left for us on high rocks and in deep caves can provide evidence of the way of life and the environment of times long past when man had not yet developed a system of written signs.
We are able to distinguish two styles of petroglyphs.
The first technique can be described as silhouette or outline, common for the earliest petroglyphs. The figure was outlined with an ochre paste made from pigments, earth and clay. With a metallic or stone instrument, dents were hewn into the inside of the outline to scrape out the entire surface at a depth of up to 2mm. Whenever a thin layer of rock has been removed with a blunt tool, this indicates a later period.
Another technique consisted of engraving with a sharp tool a deep line in the shape of an animal or human into the rock. It is now assumed that the animals depicted were not only those that were being hunted. More and more scholars are convinced that rock paintings also depict mythological images. Although the consciousness of these ancient painters was restricted by their limited knowledge of the surrounding nature and their own society, they posessed very sharpened senses and instincts and were much more perceptive to underlying currents than man today. Petroglyphs are recognized as important historical and cultural heritage. Efforts are under way to protect and preserve them - sadly not always successfully. An easily accessible site in Kyrgyzstan is that of Cholpan Ata, on the shores of Lake Issyk Kul. Over 40 acres of mountain slope are scattered with fine examples of petroglyphs.
How regrettably, that some have been disfigured by contemporary graffiti "artists". More worrying yet are reports that conservation work carried out in the year 2002 have led to substantial loss and the destruction of some of the finest petroglyph samples. Some 70 large stones from around 500 ВС, possibly work executed by the Saks, who predated the Kyrgyz nomads, were treated as part of an international conservation project. The lichen on the stones' surfaces, the natural protective layer, were removed in the preservation process, which resulted in a much accellerated destruction of the surface, onto which the drawings had been painted and scraped. In 2004 it was reported that a new field of Petroglyphs was discovered at Suuk Dobo, "cold hill", in the Osh oblast. Having heard stories from local shepherds about a source in the mountains, where pilgrims came to be healed, a team of scientists decided to explore the site, a 4h horsebackride from the main road and at an altitude of 3500m above sea level. The gallery of petroglyphs on boulders and small stones was dated to a period between III and I centuries ВС and some 1500 specimens were catalogued. Among the oldest paintings are animals such as the Argali (Marco Polo sheep), horses, camels, reindeer, bulls, wolves, dogs, wild boars and birds - whilst others depict hunting scenes. Most interesting are scenes of fire worship and some unidentifyable signs resembling modern day airplanes and rail way tracks.
Petroglyph sites are aplenty in Kyrgyzstan, but special mention shall be made of the Ak-Chunkur "white cave" paintings in the Sary Jaz ("Golden Valley") of the Tian Shan mountains with images of men, animals and abstract symbols. In Aravan, a predominantly ethnic-Uzbek district center 23km west of Osh, carved stones called The Celestial Horses of Davan' clearly outline the legendary Ferghana horses, so sought after by the Chinese emperor Wu-Di in II century ВС. Next to a cemetery, they are easily accessible..
On the grounds of Burana Tower you may visit the "Museum under the stars" where petroglyphs and Balbal stone grave marks from the Chui region have been gathered. Although no longer in their original surroundings, the site assures their preservation. They are excellent examples, which may otherwise have disappeared with increasing development and population of the region. Note that when you are in the area of Karaoi, Omok and Chok Tal on the northern shore of Lake Issyk Kul are sites where Petroglyphs can be seen. In Ornok quite easily accessible as the field of petroglyphs from as far back as VI century ВС lies between the new road to Almaty and the village. The Sulaiman-Too petroglyphs in the centre of Osh are described in the related article in this issue of Discovery.
To reach the spectacular site of Saimaluu Tash at 3000m above sea level, close to the Kurgat Pass in the Ferghana range, you will need time and your own vehicle. It is well worth the effort as numerous previous visitors confirm. The "patterned stones", thousands and thousands of etched and painted rocks and boulders as old as 4000 years are unsurpassed. In the Talas valley, you have a choice of petroglyph sites such as Tene-Tash, Kurgan-Tash, Kulan, Urmaral, and the Kiukiuresu gorges, depicting wild and domesticated horses from the bronze age.