Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains

Petroglyphs of Helan Mountains
LocationHelanshan, Ningxia
History
PeriodsNeolithic to Western Xia[1]
Site notes
Discovered5th century AD[2]

Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains (simplified Chinese: 贺兰山岩画; traditional Chinese: 賀蘭山岩畫; pinyin: Hèlánshān Yánhuà), also known as Helanshan Rock Art,[3] are images carved into the rocks of Helan Mountains, Ningxia.[4]

Helanshan Rock Art is representative of rock paintings in northern China, with rich and concentrated subject matter. As of December 2020, tens of thousands of petroglyphs have been discovered,[5] and they were created between 10,000 and 3,000 years ago.[6]

Discoveries

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The Helanshan Rock Art was first discovered by Li Daoyuan, a geographer of the Northern Wei dynasty, in the 5th century AD in Commentary on the Water Classic.[7] In modern times, it was rediscovered by Li Xiangshi (李祥石)[8] in 1969.[9]

The truly comprehensive and systematic studies and findings of Helanshan Rock Art have been made since China's reform and opening up.[10]

Creation periods

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The creation periods of Helanshan Rock Art can be roughly divided into three stages, the first stage is the Neolithic,[11] the second stage is from the Qin dynasty to the Northern and Southern dynasties, and the third stage is from the Sui dynasty to the Western Xia.[12]

Conservations

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In 1996, Helanshan Rock Art was included in the third batch of the list of Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in China.[13] In 1997, it was inscribed on the Unofficial List of World Cultural Heritage (非正式世界文化遗产名录)[14] by the International Petroglyph Committee of UNESCO (联合国教科文组织国际岩画委员会).[15]

References

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  1. ^ "Petroglyphs in Helan Mountains". National Library of China. Retrieved 16 February 2021.
  2. ^ "Petroglyphs in Helan Mountains: An Epic Carved in Stones". Guangming Daily. 8 Apr 2014.
  3. ^ Natalie R. Franklin; Matthias Strecker (5 August 2008). Rock Art Studies - News of the World Volume 3. Oxbow Books. pp. 381–. ISBN 978-1-78297-588-5.
  4. ^ Sun Jinji; Feng Yongqian; Su Tianjun; The Editorial Committee of Integrated Chinese Archaeology. Integrated Chinese Archaeology. Beijing Publishing House. pp. 5062–.
  5. ^ "Ningxia "digitally" protects the rock paintings of Helan Mountain". Xinhua News Agency. 2021-01-02.[dead link‍]
  6. ^ "Ningxia Helan Mountains: An Unforgettable Journey to the Secret World". Sina. 2009-09-05.
  7. ^ "Rock Paintings in Helan Mountains: Preserving the Epic of an Unwritten Era". Wenhui Bao. 2014-11-23.
  8. ^ "Ningxia Helan Mountains: An Unforgettable Journey to the Secret World". Sina. 2009-09-05.
  9. ^ Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains. Shanghai Ancient Books Press. 2007. pp. 381–.
  10. ^ Li Xuejun (1 July 2017). Time and space years: the roots and soul of Helan Mountain. Ningxia People's Publishing House. pp. 208-. ISBN 978-7-227-06698-9.
  11. ^ "Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains: The Gate of Original Human Art". Sina. 2004-12-07.
  12. ^ Indian Horizons, Volume 43. Indian Council for Cultural Relations. 1994. pp. 391-.
  13. ^ "Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains to be Nominated for World Cultural Heritage". China Central Television. Jul 15, 2002.
  14. ^ China Heritage Yearbook. Sciences Press. 2005. pp. 199-. ISBN 978-7-03-016650-0.
  15. ^ "Introduction to Rock Paintings of Helan Mountains Scenic Spot". China Central Television. Sep 26, 2007.
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Media related to Petroglyphs in the Helan Mountains at Wikimedia Commons

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