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