Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

East Asia: Rock Art

  • Living reference work entry
  • First Online:
Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology

Introduction

Rock art in East Asia is an archeological material found predominantly on open-air rock faces in mountain environments. Subjects range from distinctive anthropomorphic faces – seen at Helankou in northern China (Fig. 1), along the Ussuri and Amur rivers at the far eastern Sino-Russian border, and at Oponoho (Wanshan) in southern Taiwan – to whales – as at Bangudae in South Korea – to abstract and geometric symbols. This entry generally follows the United Nations Statistics Division’s definition of East Asia, in which countries are grouped for statistical convenience rather than political or cultural affiliation. (See “Standard country or area codes for statistical use (M49),” available at https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/, accessed 14 June 2018.) East Asia thus denotes the geographical regions of mainland China, the Japanese islands, the Korean Peninsula, Hong Kong, Macau, and Mongolia, as well as the Taiwanese islands. (As of June 2018, Taiwan Republic of...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Bale, M.T. 2015. Bangudae: Petroglyph panels in Ulsan, Korea, in the context of world rock art ed. by Ho-tae Jeon and Jiyeon Kim (review). Journal of Korean Studies 20 (1): 229–232.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cultural Heritage Administration. 2010. Daegokcheon stream petroglyphs. World Heritage Centre, UNESCO. https://whc.unesco.org/en/tentativelists/5486/. Accessed 18 Apr 2018.

  • Demattè, P. 2004. Beyond shamanism: Landscape and self-expression in the petroglyphs of Inner Mongolia and Ningxia (China). Cambridge Archaeological Journal 14(1): 5–23. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959774304000010.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Demattè, P. 2015. Travel and landscape: The Zuo river valley rock art of Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, China. Antiquity 89 (345): 613–628. https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2014.49.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Guoli taiwan shiqian wenhua bowuguan 國立台灣史前文化博物館. 2011. Rock art. Yandiao. Yanhui. Rock art 岩雕 岩繪 [Rock art. Petroglyphs. Rock paintings]. http://special.nmp.gov.tw/2011rock_art/taiwan02.html. Accessed 10 May 2018.

  • Jacobson-Tepfer, E. 2015. The hunter, the stag, and the mother of animals: Image, monument, and landscape in ancient North Asia. New York: Oxford University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jacobson-Tepfer, E., and J.E. Meacham. 2010. Archaeology and landscape in the Mongolian Altai: An atlas. Redlands: ESRI Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jang Seok-ho. 2004. Ilbon hotkaido-ui hugotpe dong-gul byeokwae daeha yeo [On the Fugoppe cave petroglyphs, Hokkaido, Japan]. Dongbuga Yeoksa Nonchong 1: 209–228.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jang Seok-ho. 2005. Dongbugasia sogui daegok-ri amgakwa – Syameon hyeongsangeul jungsimeuro [Daegok-ri petroglyphs in Northeast Asia: Focussing on the shaman figure]. Dongbuga Yeoksa Nonchong 5: 199–230.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeon Ho-tae. 2017. Hangug-ui geompahyeong amgaghwawa munhwayusan seutolitelling [Dagger motif petroglyphs of Korea and cultural heritage story-telling]. Yeoksawa Gyeong-gye 105: 125–151.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lee, S., ed. 2011. Chasseurs de baleines: la frise de Bangudae (Corée du Sud). Paris: Errance.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto Naoko 松本直子 (Songben zhizi). 1997. Guanyu zhongguo beifang diqu yanhua zhong huihua fangxiang de pianxiangxing wenti 关于中国北方地区岩画中绘画方向的偏向性问题 [On the issue of painting orientation bias in petroglyphs of China’s northern zone]. Trans. Huang Jianqiu 黄建秋. Neimenggu Wenwu Kaogu 1(16): 91–96 & 104.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogawa, M. 2014. Dating petroglyphs from Fugoppe cave, Japan. Art 3: 46–53. https://doi.org/10.3390/arts3010046.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ponomareva, I.A. 2018. Continuity in the rock art tradition of the Siberian lower Amur Basin. Rock Art Research 35 (1): 35–46.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ren Meng 任萌, Wang Jianxin 王建新. 2013. Yanhua yanjiu de kaoguxue fangfa 岩画研究的考古学方法 [Archaeological methods for rock-art research]. Wenwu 2013(3):67–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shi Hualong 石华龙. 2012. Shiqian yanhua shi tushi jiaoliu de wenben yicun 史前岩画是图式交流的文本遗存 [Prehistoric rock-art is the textual remains of a pictorial communication method]. Xibei Daxue Xuebao (Zhexue Shehui Kexueban) 42(1):171–172. https://doi.org/10.16152/j.cnki.xdxbsk.2012.01.017.

  • Tsakhilgaan, D., ed. 2016. Mongol altain chuluun shastir. Ulaanbaatar: Rock Art Research Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tseng, Y., T. Wu, and S. Hsu. 2014. Integrated application of digital technologies for transmitting values of cultural heritage in remote mountains. In Proceedings of 5th international conference on Digital heritage. Progress in cultural heritage: Documentation, preservation, and protection, Euromed 2014, Limassol, November 3–8, 2014, ed. M. Ioannides, N. Magnenat-Thalmann, E. Fink, R. Žarnić, A.Y. Yen, and E. Quak, 482–489. Cham: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tserendagva, Ya. 2009. Introduction into the rock art of Mongolia. In Current archaeological research in Mongolia: Papers from the first international conference on ‘archaeological research in Mongolia’ held in Ulaanbaatar, August 19th–23rd, 2007, ed. J. Bemmann, 55–65. Bonn: Vor- und Frühgeschichtliche Archäologie Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tserendagva, Ya, and D. Tseveendorj. 2016. Dalan türgen khos tolgoin khadny zürag. Ulaanbaatar: Institute of History and Archaeology of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Yasha 张亚莎. 2007. Gu xiangxiong de “niao tuteng” yu xizang de “niao zang”’ 古象雄的“鸟图腾”与西藏的“鸟葬” [“Bird totems” of the ancient Zhang-zhung and Tibetan “sky burials”]. Zhongguo Zangxue 2007(3):45–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Wenjing 张文静. 2013. Zhongguo yanhua de quyu fenbu ji tedian bijiao 中国岩画的区域分布及特点比较 [Regional distributions of Chinese rock art and comparison of their characteristics]. Neimenggu Shehui Kexue (Hanwen Ban) 34(3):59–62. https://doi.org/10.14137/j.cnki.issn1003-5281.2013.03.005.

  • Zhu Yuan 朱媛. 2013. Lun zhongguo yanhua de quxiang guize 论中国岩画的取向规则 [On the principles of image orientation in Chinese rock-art]. Beijing Ligong Daxue Xuebao (Shehui Kexue Ban) 15(6):152–156.

    Google Scholar 

Further Reading

  • Chen Zhaofu 陈兆复. 2008. Zhongguo yanhua faxian shi 中国岩画发现史 [A history of Chinese rock-art discoveries]. Shanghai: Shanghai Renmin Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen Ziyu 陈子玉., and Xu Min 许民. 2006. Badanjilin yanhua de diyuxing tantao 巴丹吉林岩画的地域性探讨 [Investigation of regionalism in the rock art of Badain Jaran]. Chifeng Xueyuan Xuebao 22(4):38–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gai Shanlin 盖山林. 1986. Yinshan yanhua 阴山岩画 [Petroglyphs in the Yinshan mountains]. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gai Shanlin 盖山林. 1997. Badanjilin shamo yanhua 巴丹吉林沙漠岩画 [Rock art of the Badain Jaran desert]. Beijing: Beijing Tushuguan Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jeon, H., M. Jang, J. Gang, Y. Nam, and H. Yoon. 2013. The Cheonjeon-ri petroglyphs in Ulsan. Seoul: Hollym.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, C. 2013. Bangudae: Petroglyph panels in Ulsan, Korea, in the context of world rock art. Seoul: Hollym.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Hongfu 李洪甫, and Wu Kerong 无可荣. 1990. Haizhou shike–Jiangjun ya yanhua yu kongwang Shan Moya zaoxiang 海州时刻–将军崖与孔望山摩崖造像 [Carvings of Haizhou: The Jiangjun precipice rock art and Kongwang mountain cliff-carved statues]. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Li Yongxian 李永宪, and Huo Wei 霍巍. 1994. Xizang yanhua yishu 西藏岩画艺术 [Arts of Tibetan rock paintings]. Chengdu: Sichuan Renmin Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liang Zhenhua 梁振华., ed. 1998. Zhuozi Shan yanhua 桌子山岩画 [Rock art of Zhouzi mountain]. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Wu 刘五., ed. 2010. Juci Shan yanhua 具茨山岩画 [Rock art of Juci mountain]. Zhengzhou: Zhengzhou Guji Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Qingyan 刘青砚, and Liu Hong 刘宏., eds. 1998. A’ertai yanhua yishu 阿尔泰岩画艺术 [Art of rock art in the Altai]. Jinan: Shandong Meishu Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shu Xihong 束锡红, and Li Xiangshi 李祥石. 2007. Yanhua yu youmu wenhua 岩画与游牧文化 [Rock-art and nomadic culture]. Shanghai: Shanghai Guji Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sichou zhi lu yanjiu congshu 絲綢之路研究叢書. 1993. Sizhou zhi lu yanhua yishu 絲綢之路岩畫藝術 [Rock-carving painting arts on the Silk Road]. Urumqi: Xinjiang Renmin Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Su Beihai 苏北海. 1994. Xinjiang yanhua 新疆岩画 [Rock-art in Xinjiang]. Urumqi: Xinjiang Meishu Sheying Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taçon, P.S.C., G. Li, D. Yang, S.K. May, H. Liu, M. Aubert, X. Ji, D. Curnoe, and A.I.R. Herries. 2010. Naturalism, nature and questions of style in Jinsha River rock art, Northwest Yunnan, China. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 20 (1): 67–86. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0959774310000053.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tang Huisheng 汤惠生, and Zhang Wenhua 张文华., eds. 2001. Qinghai yanhua – Shiqian yishu zhong eryuan duili siwei ji qi guannian de yanjiu 青海岩画–史前艺术中二元对立思维及其观念的研究 [Qinghai rock art: Binary opposite thinking in prehistoric art and the ideology]. Beijing: Kexue chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Liangfan 王良范, and Luo Xiaoming 罗晓明. 2010. Zhongguoyanhua Guizhou 中国岩画 贵州 [Chinese rock art: Guizhou]. Beijing: Zhongguo Guoji Guangbo Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang Kerong 王克荣, Qiu Zhonglun 邱钟伦, and Zhang Yuanzhang 张远璋. 1988. Guangxi zuojiang yanhua 广西左江岩画 [The Zuo River rock art of Guangxi]. Beijing: Wenwu Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Yasha 张亚莎. 2006. Xizang de yanhua 西藏的岩画 [Rock art of Tibet]. Xining: Qinghai Renmin Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zhou Qingbao 周箐葆., ed. 1993. Sichou zhi lu yanhua yishu 絲綢之路岩畫藝術 [Rock arts of the Silk Road]. Urumqi: Xinjiang Renmin Chubanshe.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Archaeology, University of Oxford, Oxford, Oxfordshire, UK

    Rebecca O’Sullivan

Authors
  1. Rebecca O’Sullivan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rebecca O’Sullivan .

Section Editor information

  1. Departament de Prehistòria, Història Antiga i Arqueologia, ICREA/Universitat de Barcelona/SERP, Barcelona, Spain

    Inés Domingo Sanz

  2. "CONICET - AIA - UBA Asociación de Investigaciones Antropológicas", Buenos Aires, Argentina

    Danae Fiore

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2018 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this entry

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this entry

O’Sullivan, R. (2018). East Asia: Rock Art. In: Encyclopedia of Global Archaeology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1_3131-1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-51726-1_3131-1

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-51726-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-51726-1

  • eBook Packages: Springer Reference HistoryReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Humanities

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation