The Petroglyphs of Kulzhabasy in Kazakhstan

By Luc Hermann and Boris Zheleznyakov

Central Asia offers a large number of rock art sites with similarities in chronology, techniques and iconography. In South Kazakhstan, there are two important sites: Tamgaly and Kulzhabasy, each with approximately 5,000 engravings.
Though Tamgaly was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004, Kulzhabasy enjoys no legal or physical protection. Despite its wealth of iconography, and scientific as well as historical significance, Kulzhabasy remains largely unknown and in some areas, unresearched.
This book aims to provide an overview of the petroglyphs of Kulzhabasy, and of the first results of research in these mountains.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Books on Demand
• Release date: Aug 23, 2012
• ISBN: 9782322023738

Luc Hermann

Luc Hermann, né en 1980 à Stavelot (Belgique), est historien de l'art et archéologue. Il est l'auteur de plusieurs ouvrages sur l'art rupestre d'Asie centrale et du Caucase.

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PERIOD

Introduction

Central Asia offers a large number of rock art sites with similarities in chronology, techniques and iconography, both in Uzbekistan, in Kyrgyzstan (Saimaluu-Tash, Cholpon-Ata) and in Kazakhstan.

In Kazakhstan, the main sites are located in the south, especially between the Karatau Mountain range (Arpauzen) and the Chinese border (Eshkiolmes, Bayan Zhurek, Usek) (Fig.1). In the centre of this area, which is as wide as Italy, there are two important sites: Tamgaly and Kulzhabasy, each with approximately 5,000 engravings.

Though Tamgaly was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2004, Kulzhabasy enjoys no legal or physical protection. Despite its wealth of iconography, and scientific as well as historical significance, Kulzhabasy remains largely unknown and in some areas, unresearched.

This book aims to provide a first overview of the engravings of Kulzhabasy. We also hope to increase public understanding and awareness of petroglyphs, and their importance and vulnerability.

We would like to thank Alexei N. Maryashev for his help with our project in Kulzhabasy for the past two years, as well as Alexei E. Rogozhinsky for providing