New survey finds over 500 additional petroglyphs in Ningxia's Helan Mountains

(ECNS) -- A re-survey of the Helan Mountains rock art site in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region has uncovered more than 500 previously unrecorded petroglyphs, including a rare four-horse chariot carving never before seen in the area.

The four-horse chariot image was found on a partially buried boulder and is considered exceptionally rare in Chinese rock art. The discovery provides new material for studying the transportation methods and social life of ancient nomadic peoples in northern China.

The initial comprehensive survey of the Helan Mountains rock art was conducted from 2002 to 2003 and documented more than 5,600 petroglyph clusters. However, limitations in equipment and field conditions at the time meant that many carvings hidden beneath debris and shallow soil were not fully recorded.

The re-survey, launched in 2020, combines field inspections, drone mapping and imaging techniques to accurately locate, measure and document each petroglyph. The work also monitors the condition of previously recorded carvings and documents the effects of weathering and freeze-thaw damage.

The administration said all newly discovered petroglyphs will be digitally archived and added to the site's protection database.

(By Tang Yuxian)