Arab. arch. epig.

2007: 18: 208–238 (2007)

Printed in Singapore. All rights reserved

Rock on art: petroglyph sites in the United Arab

Emirates
This paper presents an up-to-date inventory of the known rock art/ Michele C. Ziolkowski
petroglyph sites in the United Arab Emirates. Descriptions of the forty-two PO Box 432
rock art sites, material finds, manufacturing techniques, and motifs present Fujairah
on the petroglyphs are outlined in Table 1. Evidence concerning chronolog- United Arab Emirates
ical indicators and theories relating to the interpretation of particular motifs
are also discussed.

Keywords: rock art, petroglyph, United Arab Emirates e-mail: mcz_ski@hotmail.com

Introduction served and recorded in further detail. Additional

It has been a number of years since my initial study
(1) and publication of the rock art in the Wadi al-
Hayl, United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) (2). In the
intervening years a number of rock art (petroglyph)
sites have been noted and recorded. However, very
few have been published: Haerinck (3); de Ceuninck
(4); Ziolkowski & Hassan (5). Since the research
undertaken in the Wadi al-Hayl, the author has
discovered many more petroglyphs at the site,
mostly in the smaller tributary ‘awdia (sing. wad).
The author has also noted petroglyphs at a number
of other sites within the U.A.E. (Fig. 1) (6), some of
which have been destroyed or are under threat from
development and/or rock-crushing activities. One
such petroglyph (P1) (Fig. 2), located in the Wadi
Laban (Site 37), adjacent to Wadi al-Hayl (Site 1)
(Fujairah), was destroyed by recent rock-crushing
activity. This wilful destruction of an entire wad and
of an impressive petroglyph was the impetus for this
paper. The following article aims to update the
record of known rock art sites in the U.A.E. by
means of an inventory. In addition to highlighting
the large number of rock art sites and their
locations, it is also hoped that they may be pre-
information concerning the chronology and inter-
pretation of particular rock art motifs will also be
discussed.
Table 1 includes an inventory of the known rock
art sites in the U.A.E., including site names and
Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates. The
number of petroglyphs recorded is not meant to
represent a final accurate count; it merely denotes
the petroglyphs recorded by the author and/or
other researchers. The ‘location’ field contains a brief
geographical description. ‘Sites/finds’ includes a
general account of the archaeological material and/
or sites located within the vicinity of a rock art site.
However, it is difficult to prove that this material is
contemporaneous with the petroglyphs. ‘Tech-
nique(s)’ provides a broad record of the methods
of manufacture at each site. The final field describes
the motifs represented at each site (7). Table 2
provides a synthesis of motifs and chronological
indicators. The motifs are numbered and named and
examples of each motif are recorded from the
various sites. Comparable motifs from dateable
archaeological artefacts are also listed, and their
relevant chronologies noted.

208
 Table 1: Inventory of rock art sites within the U.A.E. (8).
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location: Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Site 1: N 25 5¢ 5.5¢¢ 111 Wadi al-Hayl is located Bayt Sheikh Abdullah bin Percussion: Zoomorphs (camel, horse
Wadi al-Hayl E 56 13¢ 35.0¢¢ in the southern Hamdan al-Sharqi, outline; in-filled. {and rider}, snake, leopard
(10). (Fujairah) mountains of Fujairah established during the Friction: scratched. (Figs. 5 & 6), ibex?, various).
Emirate. early 1930s (11). There are also Anthropomorphs (rider {and
The petroglyphs are Associated Kunud tribe some instances horse}, various) (Fig. 7).
located on isolated village, established prior of overlapping, Geometric (ovoid {foot},
boulders and large to the 1930s (12). that is, cruciform, various) (17).
rocks. These are Earlier settlements of superimposition. The anthropomorph in P93,
dispersed throughout Islamic period date. panel 1 (Fig. 8), is comparable
the wad system on Hillfort, C14 date: AD to an example from Site 6
terraces, slopes, and 1470–1705 (13). Awhala P1 (Fig. 9). Both have
tributary ‘awdia. Located nearby Petroglyphs comparable dress, figures and
Various examples are 102, 108 and 109, are three, mannerisms.
found throughout the circular-shaped, rock built The anthropomorph in P103
Islamic cemetery and burials. These are (Fig. 10) from within the
settlement remains. comparable to examples Islamic cemetery is
recorded in Wadi comparable with two
Saqamqam (14). examples from sites in
Fragment of an Iron Age the Sultanate of Oman (18).
period soft stone lid (15).
Ceramics of the 2nd and
1st millennia BC (16).
A pre-Islamic, circular-shaped
grave (diam, ca 5 m) (Fig. 3),
with associated Umm an/al
Nar period ceramic sherds
(Fig. 4).
Site 2: N 25 6¢ 39¢¢ 27 Located in the southern Undated circular-shaped Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and rider},
Wadi Saham E 56 12¢ 27.6¢¢ mountains of Fujairah tombs and settlement outline; in-filled. camel, snake).
(19) (Fujairah) Emirate. remains of the Islamic Friction: scratched. Anthropomorphs (rider {and
The petroglyphs are period (20). Petroglyph 1, horse}, various).
located on boulders and panel 1 shows Geometric (ovoid {foot},
large rocks. signs of cruciform, capital T, various).
Three closely related superimposition Capital T motifs from Wadi
areas of rock art located (Fig. 11). Saham (P1, panels 1 & 2)
on terraces, either side (Fig. 11) are also present at Site
of the dirt track through 11, Wadi Ashwani (B), (P4); Site
the wad. 18, Lulyyah (P1 & P2) (Fig. 12);
and Site 35, Wadi il-Hilu, (P2).
Comparable examples from
sites in Oman are illustrated
in Jäckli (21).

209
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 3: N 25 26¢ 16¢¢ 17 This site is positioned Bidyah mosque: dated to the Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and rider}).

210
Bidyah Mosque E 56 21¢ 9¢¢ midway along the East second half of the 17th century. outline; in-filled. Geometric (ovoid {foot}, various).
(22) (Fujairah) Coast of the UAE in the C14: AD1450–1670 (23). Bidyah Anthropomorphs (rider {and
Emirate of Fujairah. mosque is not mentioned in any of horse}, various).
The petroglyphs are the Portuguese documents from the Anthropomorph with raised arms
found on boulders and 16th century or early 17th century. and a circle outline for a head
large rocks. Nor is it noted in Dutch accounts (P14) (Fig. 13): comparable
The majority of these are from 1645 and 1666 (24). examples have also been noted
located on the low Late Islamic period settlement at Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl (P97)
mountain slope between (including watchtowers, (Fig. 7) and Site 11, Wadi
Bidyah mosque and the buildings, garden terrace walls Ashwani (B) (P4) (Fig. 14).
adjacent watchtower. and ceramics) (25).
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Site 4: N 25 15¢ 7.9¢¢ 23 This site is situated in a Rock built enclosures (rectangular, Percussion: Anthropomorphs (rider {and
Wadi Thayb E 56 19¢ 52.8¢¢ wad, north of Fujairah circular and oval in shape) (27). outline; in-filled. horse}, various).
(26) (Fujairah) city, behind the coastal Islamic graves. Friction: rubbed. Geometric (cruciform, ovoid
village of Qurayyah. Modern farm. Superimposition, {foot}, spiral, various).
The petroglyphs are Disused garden terrace walls P19, panel 1. Zoomorphs (horse {and rider},
located on boulders and and cleared areas. Four of the horse, various) (Fig. 18).
arge rocks (Fig. 15). petroglyphs (P18, 19, 21, 22) have
These are positioned at attached, enclosing rock walls
the base of the mountains (Fig. 16).
and on wad terraces. Circular-shaped, rock built burials,
Certain areas of the site which are comparable to examples
have been bulldozed. recorded in Wadi Saqamqam (28).
Petroglyphs P13 and P14 are
located within a circular-shaped
structure (grave?) (Fig. 17). This
grave also appears to contain an
exterior wall, which partially
encloses the structure.
Islamic period ceramics (red coarse
ware, 1 sherd of sgraffiato,
ca 12th/13th century AD)
A number of sherds are reminiscent
of Iron Age coarse wares.
Site 5: N 24 54¢ 33.3¢¢ 2 The site is situated in Islamic period fort, ca 19th/20th Percussion: Geometric.
Husn Awhala E 56 18¢ 16.2¢¢ the southern mountains centuries AD. outline.
(29) (Fujairah) of Fujairah. The two Iron Age II period fort (30).
petroglyphs were located A series of large, prehistoric burial
on a large terrace mounds, which have since been
between the mountains destroyed.
and the wad base. They One of the petroglyphs was
were noted on two contained within an oval-shaped
boulders. rock built enclosure, one course in
height (31). Date unclear.
 Table 1: Continued.
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location: Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Site 6: N 24 54¢ 22.8¢¢ 10 The site is situated in the A series of large, prehistoric Percussion: Geometric (ovoid
Awhala (32) E 56 18¢ 23.5¢¢ southern mountains burial mounds (33). outline; in-filled. {foot}, various).
(Fujairah) N 24 54¢ 23.8¢¢ of Fujairah. Rock built structures Zoomorphs (camel, horse,
E 56 18¢ 39.6¢¢ It is located on the southern (enclosures) and walls. leopard (Fig. 19), various)
side of Wadi il-Hilu/Wadi Circular-shaped, rock built (Fig. 20).
Awhala. That is, it is situated burials, which are comparable Anthropomorphs (various).
on the opposite side of the to examples recorded in Wadi
wad to the forts at Site 5. Saqamqam (34).
The petroglyphs are on
boulders, which are located
on terraces above the
wad base.
The two zones of rock art are
separated by low lying hills.
Site 7: N 25 11¢ 28.5¢¢ 4 Located at the village of There is nothing in the Percussion: Zoomorphs and
Bithnah (A) E 56 14¢ 9.9¢¢ Bithnah in the Wadi Ham, immediate vicinity of outline. anthropomorphs (38).
(35) (Fujairah) north-west of Fujairah. these petroglyphs.
Situated on a slight rise just Archaeological finds from the
above the base of the wad. village of Bithnah range in
’’along an old track to the date from the Wadi Suq
north-west of the village’’ period (2000-1600 BC), Late
(36). Bronze Age (1600-1250 BC) (37),
The petroglyphs are on Iron Age and Late pre-Islamic
boulders. periods. A substantial amount
of material from the Islamic
period is also present in the
area.
Site 8: N 25 10¢ 59.5¢¢ 2 Located within the modern Located below an Iron Age II Percussion: Zoomorphs (camel); and
Bithnah (B) (39) E 56 14¢ 5.1¢¢ village of Bithnah. The period hillfort (40). outline. anthropomorphs.
(Fujairah) petroglyphs are on Signs of Late Islamic period
boulders. occupation: watchtowers,
They are located at the khaimah type house, rock
base of a jabal. walls, cleared areas, ceramic.
Site 9: N 25 11¢ 30.9¢¢ 1 Located on a terrace in a Located within an abandoned Percussion: N/A (Fig. 22).
Bithnah (C) E 56 14¢ 34.5¢¢ tributary wad to the east Islamic period settlement (wall outline;
(Fujairah) of Bithnah. fragments and enclosures); red partially
coarse ware ceramics (Islamic). in-filled.
The petroglyph is on a boulder,
which forms part of a
rectangular-shaped rock
built enclosure (Fig. 21).

211
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 10: N 2815.428¢ 3 Wadi Ashwani is located
212
Wadi Ashwani E 568.699¢ in the mountains to the
(A) (41) northwest of Fujairah.
(Fujairah)
Site 11: N 25 14¢ 26.6¢¢ 4 Wadi Ashwani is located to
Wadi Ashwani E 56 8¢ 29.6¢¢ the northwest of Fujairah.
(B) (46) (Ras The petroglyphs were
al-Khaimah/ found midway through the
Fujairah?) wad, from Siji to Daftah.
The petroglyphs are located
on three boulders and one
large rock. They are situated
beside a dirt track, which
runs through the wad.
Site 12: N/A 1 Wadi Ash Sha’m is located
Wadi Ash in the northern tract of Ras
Sha’m (48) (Ra’s al-Khaimah. It is a village on
al-Khaimah) the western littoral, just
south of the Oman border.
The petroglyph consists of
one large rock, on the right
side of the track in the wad,
leading up to Hat Awali
(49).
Site 13: N 25 31¢ 38.3¢¢ 1 The site is located in the
Wadi al Jareef E 56 5¢ 20.5¢¢ northern mountains of
(51) (Fujairah) Fujairah. It is situated
on a raised terrace
within the wad.
The boulder containing the
petroglyph forms an Islamic
grave (52) (Fig. 23).
This site has since been
bulldozed (42).
Three petroglyphs were
located on stones which
had fallen from a number
of undated stone cairns in
the immediate vicinity (43).
Glazed pottery sherds (44).
Cleared areas nearby the
petroglyphs.
Roughly 1 km further along
the wad (in the direction of
Daftah), are examples of
circular graves. These are
comparable to examples
recorded in Wadi
Saqamqam (47).
Late Islamic period
settlement; 18th century
Chinese blue and white
porcelain; underglaze
painted ware; incised ware;
unglazed handmade
painted pottery (17th-18th
century) (50).
Islamic cemetery and stone
mosque; stone artefact
scatter (flaked pieces,
cores and small chips) (53).
Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and
outline. rider}, leopard?, camel) (45).
Anthropomorphs (rider
{and horse}, various).
Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and
outline; in-filled. rider}).
Friction: scratched. Anthropomorphs (rider
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI
{and horse}, various.
Anthropomorphs with
raised arms and a circle
outline for a head (P4)
(Fig. 14): examples have
also been noted at Site 1,
Wadi al-Hayl (P97) and
Site 3, Bidyah Mosque (P14).
Geometric (capital T (P4)
(Fig. 14), dot-in-circle,
various). Capital T motifs
have also been noted at Site
2, Wadi Saham (P1, panels
1 & 2) and Site 18, Lulyyah
(P1 & P2).
Percussion: Anthropomorphs and
outline. zoomorphs (horse and
rider).
Geometric (cruciform).
Percussion: Geometric: a heart-shaped
outline. motif with a bisecting line
(Fig. 24).
 Table 1: Continued.
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location: Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Site 14: N 25 2¢ 35.0¢¢ 10 Located in the southern A number of rock Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse, camel, various)
Wadi Mai E 56 14¢ 36.3¢¢ mountains of Fujairah. built structures are outline; in-filled (Figs 26 & 27).
(54) (Fujairah) Nine petroglyphs are present nearby. The (Fig. 25). Anthropomorphs (various). Petroglyph P2,
located on large rocks and entire wad is filled Friction: rubbed. panel 1, contains anthropomorphs with
boulders at the end of the with structures from Superimposition. distinctive ‘puffy skirts’ (Fig. 28). A similar
dirt track through the wad. the Islamic period motif has been recorded at Site 20, Khor
One is, situated on the (walls, disused Kalba (B), (P3). Comparable examples have
lower half of the mountain gardens, enclosures been noted in the Sultanate of Oman (55).
slope, whilst the remainder {including houses}). Geometric (ovoid {foot}, cruciform, various).
are on the wad terrace.
Site 15: P1: 3 Located within the P1 Percussion: Anthropomorphs (various). Petroglyph 1
West of No coordinate mountains south of Nearby is a outline. contains three anthropomorphs holding
Awhala (56) available. Fujairah city. These pre-Islamic grave hands (Fig. 29). A comparable example is
(Sharjah/ P2: petroglyphs are on (exact date unclear). located at Site 20, Khor Kalba (B), P4
Fujairah?) N 24 54¢ 44.0¢¢ boulders scattered P2: N/A (Fig. 30). The Khor Kalba example contains
E 56 17¢ 24.0¢¢ throughout the wad P3 two figures, however, the overall charac
P3: terraces. Situated close by are teristics are similar. A more simplified
N 24 54¢ 32.2¢¢ prehistoric graves version of three anthropomorphs, holding
E 56 17¢ 29.8¢¢ (possibly 2nd and hands, was noted in the Sultanate of Oman
first mill BC), a copper (57).
slag scatter, Islamic Geometric (ovoid {foot}, various).
graves, and rock built
structures, plus a
modern farmstead.
Site 16: N 24 46¢ 46.4¢¢ 48 Located on boulders (and Cleared areas; rock Percussion: Anthropomorphs (various).
Hatta (58) E 56 6¢ 58.0¢¢ one large rock), in the built enclosures and outline; in-filled. Zoomorphs (camel, snake, horse, various).
(Dubai) mountains south of structures; wall Friction: rubbed. Geometric (ovoid {foot}, meandering
Hatta. The petroglyphs fragments (Fig. 32). pattern, various).
are situated on a wad A hammerstone. Note: P18 contains an anthropomorph and
terrace (Fig. 31) (59). P48 appears to be part zoomorph (Fig. 35), which in terms of
of a grave-type composition and motifs are comparable to
structure (Figs. 33 & P1, Site 6, Awhala (Fig. 9).
34), which is Note: P23 appears to be a camel with a
comparable to ‘saddle’ (Fig. 36). This saddle type, known
examples recorded in as the ‘‘šadad’’, is illustrated in Jung (61).
Wadi Saqamqam (60). Depictions of this saddle type are also
found in Yemeni rock art (62).
Note: P35, Hatta, is similar to P1 at Site 31,
Rul Dhadnah (wad) (Fig. 37). Both
examples are of ‘meandering patterns’.
Comparable compositions have been
recorded in the Sultanate of Oman (63).

213
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 17: N 25 20¢ 50.5¢¢ 5 Located in the mountains There are no other finds Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and

214
Wadi Shi (64) E 56 19¢ 38.4¢¢ north of Fujairah and in the immediate outline. rider}, horse, camel).
(Sharjah, East inland of Khor Fakkan. vicinity. Anthropomorphs (rider
Coast) The petroglyphs are {and horse}, various.
situated on a terrace, Geometric (various).
positioned on the east Ship/boat motif (Fig. 38):
southeast side of the A comparable ship/boat
wad. motif from the Sultanate
They are located on large of Oman is reproduced
rocks, with one panel in Jäckli (65); and a
being situated within painted example from
the mountain face. Dhofar (C-1-Area No 3,
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Location 1) is illustrated
in Al-Shahri (66).
Another comparable
ship/boat motif is
illustrated in de Cardi.
This examples was
recorded in the Ruus
al-Jibal, at the site of
Wadi Qidah (67).
Site 18: N 25 22¢ 50.1¢¢ 2 Located on the lower half Situated within the same Percussion: Geometric: (capital T)
Lulyyah (68) E 56 21¢ 15.6¢¢ of the coastal mountain area are a large number outline; in-filled. (Fig. 12). The ‘capital T’
(Sharjah, East slopes, between Luly of burial cairns (Iron motif is present at Site 2,
Coast) yah and Khor Fakkan, Age?) and ceramic Wadi Saham (P1, panels
Sharjah. These comparable to Iron Age 1 & 2) (Fig. 11); Site 11,
examples were located material (69). A bronze Wadi Ashwani (B), (P4)
on two large rocks. awl was also recovered and Site 35, Wadi il-Hilu,
by Essa Abbas. (P2). Comparable
examples from sites in
Oman are illustrated in
Jäckli (70).
Site 19: N 24 59¢ 15.2¢¢ 2 Located on an isolated Cleared terraces with Percussion: Anthropomorph and
Khor Kalba (A) E 56 20¢ 20.0¢¢ jabal on the coastal rock walls, and lookouts outline; in-filled. zoomorphs (Fig. 39).
(71) (Sharjah, plain, between the with rock-built walls.
East Coast) mangroves and the
mountains. This jabal is
beside the road leading
into Awhala from the
main coastal highway.
The petroglyphs are
positioned on two large
rocks, on the northern
face of the jabal.
 Table 1: Continued.
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location: Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Site 20: N 24 59¢ 21.4¢¢ 21 Located on an isolated Located atop the jabal are Percussion: Zoomorphs (gazelle?, snake,
Khor Kalba (B) E 56 20¢ 53.9¢¢ jabal close to the coast a group of stone-built outline; in-filled. horse, various) (Fig. 40).
(72) (Sharjah, and the mangroves. The structures (date and Friction: rubbed. P9 contains a zoomorphic motif
East Coast) jabal is located to the function unclear) (lower figure), which appears
west of the main coastal preserved to heights of to be depicted as pregnant
highway (73). 1 to 1.5 metres. (Fig. 41).
The petroglyphs are Prehistoric burial cairns Anthropomorphs (various).
located on boulders (date unclear). P3 contains an anthropomorph
and large rocks. Bifacial stone tools dated to with a distinctive ‘puffy skirt’.
the 5th millennium BC, and Comparable motifs have been
a shell midden (74). recorded at Site 14, Wadi Mai,
P2, panel 1 (Fig. 28). Examples
have also been noted in the
Sultanate of Oman (75).
P4 contains two figures holding
hands (Fig. 30). Site 15, West
of Awhala, P1 contains three
anthropomorphs holding
hands (Fig. 29). The overall
characteristics of both
petroglyphs are similar. A
more simplified version of
three anthropomorphs, holding
hands, was noted in the
Sultanate of Oman (76).
Geometric: (ovoid {foot},
various).
Site 21: N/A ? Situated 15 km north of Sites within the immediate ‘‘Carving’’ and Zoomorphs: (cattle, oryx) (82).
Qarn Bint Al Ain (78), is the rocky vicinity are unclear. The ‘‘paintings’’ (81).
Sa’ud (77) outcrop/jabal of Qarn site in general includes
(Al Ain, Abu bint Sa’ud. Hafit type graves, Umm
Dhabi) The motifs are located an/al-Nar tombs, Wadi
within caves in the hill Suq burials, Iron Age
and on the face of the burials and settlement (80).
outcrop (79).
Site 22: N/A ? Located on the north Sites within the immediate Friction? ‘‘Cup-marks’’ (86).
North Spur- spur of Jebel Hafit (84). vicinity are unclear. The
Jebel Hafit (83) site in general includes
(Al Ain, Abu Neolithic period remains,
Dhabi) Hafit period burials, and
Islamic period material
(85).

215
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 23: N 25 13¢ 7.5¢¢ 1 Located in the mountains north Quranic inscription located Percussion: Quranic inscription (Fig. 42):

216
Husn Safad (87) E 56 18¢ 25.5¢¢ of Fujairah city, and inland from within a late Islamic period outline. Partial translation: ‘‘There is
(Fujairah) the coastal town of Qurayyah. hillfort (88). no God but Al ah.
The inscription is contained Ceramics include ‘‘Julfar Muhamad the messenger
within a large panel. horizon pottery and glazed of Al
ah….may Al ah pray
Persian imports’’ (89). upon him and give him
Longden and Garfi have dated peace’’ (91).
to the hillfort to ca 16th/17th Quranic inscriptions were
centuries (90). also noted at Site 27, Hassat
al-Risoom (92), and Site 42,
Wadi Ghaf (93).
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Site 24: N 25 9¢ 57.9¢¢ 3 Located in the mountains to the Recorded at the site are Percussion: Zoomorphs; Geometric
Saqamqam (94) E 56 20¢ 5.9¢¢ north of Fujairah city. Situated fourteen pre-Islamic outline. (various); Anthropomorphs
(Fujairah) in a wad behind the modern tumuli/burial cairns (95). Friction: (Fig. 43).
village of Saqamqam. rubbed.
The petroglyphs are on boulders
and a large rock. These are situated
on a low slope, close to the wad base.
Site 25: N 25 18¢ 5.6¢¢ 30 The site is located on an isolated jabal, Also present at the site are Percussion: Geometric (cruciform,
Qidfa East (96) E 56 22¢ 3.1¢¢ positioned between the date palm late Islamic period remains, outline. ovoid {foot}, various).
(Fujairah) gardens and the coastline. The including a cemetery, Anthropomorphs (rider {and
petroglyphs are on boulders and stone-built mosque, settlement horse}, various) (Fig. 44).
large rocks, situated on the low features, falaj, and defences Zoomorphs (horse {and
rises of the southern slopes. (97). Ceramic at the site has rider}, snakes).
been dated from the 17th to
19th centuries (98).
Site 26: N 25 18¢ 18.4¢¢ 2 Located on a small rocky jabal beside Located on the jabal are 6 Percussion: Anthropomorph;
Qidfa (99) E 56 21¢ 4.9¢¢ the main coastal highway from oval-shaped rock-built outline. Zoomorph, Geometric.
(Fujairah) Dibba to Fujairah. enclosures, and Islamic period
The petroglyphs are located on pottery (red coarse ware and
two rocks. fine ware).
Situated close by is a large
dam wall (100).
Site 27: N 25 30¢ 25.5¢¢ 1 Located in the mountains to the N/A Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and
Hassat E 56 6¢ 13.7¢¢ northwest of Fujairah city, midway outline. rider}, various).
al-Risoom between the east and west coasts. Overlapping Anthropomorph (rider
(101) (Fujairah) Situated close by is the village of of motifs on {and horse}, various).
Roweida. panel 3. Geometric (ovoid {foot},
The motifs are positioned on one large cruciform, various).
rock with numerous broken panels. Quranic inscription: See
These panels are located at the base notes for Site 23, Husn
of a rocky outcrop within a wad Safad.
system (Fig. 45).
 Table 1: Continued.
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location: Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Site 28: N 24 59¢ 36.6¢¢ 6 Located within the mountains Situated throughout this Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse {and
Wadi E 56 16¢ 16.7¢¢ south of Fujairah city. wad system are disused outline; in-filled. rider}, various).
ah-Shanah The petroglyphs are gardens, wells, and Friction: rubbed. Geometric (cruciform,
(102) located on boulders and rock-built enclosures dot-in-circle, ovoid {foot},
(Fujairah) large rocks throughout (rectangular) (103). various).
the wad. Anthropomorphs (rider
Note-part of the site has been {and horse}, various).
damaged by the construction
of a new road.
Site 29: N 25 8¢ 16.8¢¢ 1 Located in the southern Bayt Sheikh Suhail bin Percussion: Geometric (various).
Al-Fara (104) E 56 14¢ 10.5¢¢ mountains of Fujairah, close Hamdan, established in the outline.
(Fujairah). to the entrance of Wadi 1950s, associated settlement
Furfar. and various features
The petroglyph is located on a including rock walls,
boulder, upon a wad terrace. enclosures and cleared areas
of an unknown date (105).
Pre-Islamic burial cairns with
Iron Age pottery.
Circular-shaped pre-Islamic
graves comparable to
examples recorded in Wadi
Saqamqam (106).
Site 30: N 25 30¢ 42.4¢¢ 1 The site is located in the Signs of settlement Percussion: Geometric (various);
Wadi Ziqt (107) E 56 18¢ 30.1¢¢ mountains north of throughout the wad outline. anthropomorph?.
(Fujairah) Fujairah city, and inland including walls and
from Dhadnah on the enclosures (Islamic?).
East Coast.
The site contains one large
rock with numerous
motifs.
Site 31: N 25 32¢ 28.3¢¢ 1 The site is located in the There is nothing located in the Percussion: Geometric (ovoid {foot},
Rul Dhadnah E 56 18¢ 23.8¢¢ mountains, north of immediate vicinity of this outline. meandering design).
(wad) (108) Fujairah city, and inland petroglyph, however, the Note: P1 (Fig. 37) is similar
(Fujairah) from the coastal town wad contains signs of to P35, Site 16, Hatta. Both
of Rul Dhadnah. Islamic period occupation examples are of
The petroglyph is situated throughout. ‘meandering patterns’.
within the natural face of the Comparable compositions
mountain slope. It is have been recorded in the
positioned at the base of the Sultanate of Oman (109).
mountains and the terrace,
above the wad bed.

217
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 32: N 25 8¢ 52.2¢¢ 3 The site is situated in the Wadi Circular-shaped pre-Islamic Percussion: Anthropomorphs (rider

218
Wadi Mathab E 56 19¢ 37.0¢¢ Mathab, to the northwest of graves comparable to outline. {and horse}, various).
(110) Fujairah city. examples recorded in Geometric (ovoid {foot},
(Fujairah) The three large rocks are Wadi Saqamqam (111). various).
located on the low slopes close Three circular-shaped Zoomorphs (horse {and
to the wad base. They are rock-built enclosures, rider}).
situated at the end of a dirt fragments of rock walls.
track, which skirts the base Throughout the wad in general
of the mountains. is a late Islamic period hillfort
(112); an Iron Age period
hillfort (113); and copper
roasting ovens (C14:
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

AD 890-1015) (114).
Site 33: N 25 24¢ 7.4¢¢ 1 Located on the coastal plain Islamic graves and a stone Percussion: Geometric (ovoid {foot},
Zubarah E 56 21¢ 48.3¢¢ close to the date palm gardens built mosque. outline. cruciform).
(Sharjah, and the shoreline. Behind the The petroglyph is on a Friction: scratched.
East Coast) modern village of Zubarah. boulder, which forms part
of a structure (mosque).
The mosque is built with a
double row of boulders (dry
stone masonry). It is rectilinear
in form with a crescent-shaped
mahrab aligned to Mecca.
Site 34: N 25 5¢ 37.2¢¢ 1 A coastal jabal located to the Pre-Islamic burial cairns (date Percussion: Anthropomorphs
Jebel Haqab E 56 18¢ 57.5¢¢ south of Fujairah city, close unknown) (116). outline; in-filled (various) (Fig. 46).
(115) to the mountains. (117). Geometric (ovoid {foot},
(Fujairah) The petroglyph is located on a various).
rock close to the top of the jabal.
Site 35: N 24 58¢ 43.6¢¢ 6 The site is located in the Remains of Islamic period Percussion: Zoomorphs (horse, bull?,
Wadi il-Hilu E 56 13¢ 15.2¢¢ mountains between Kalba and settlement are located nearby, outline; in-filled. various) (Figs. 47 & 48).
(118) (Sharjah) Mleiha. It is situated close to including garden terraces, Anthropomorphs
the new and old villages of walls, tobacco drying rooms, (various).
Wadi il Hilu. various enclosures and a Geometric (capital T,
The petroglyphs are located on watchtower within the garden dot-in-circle/s, various).
large rocks at the base of the terraces. Footnote: P2: Site 35: Wadi
mountains. The surrounding mountains il-Hilu. Capital T motifs
contain various watchtowers from Wadi Saham (P1,
(date unclear). panels 1 & 2) (Fig. 11) are
Islamic period red coarse ware also present at Site 18,
ceramics were noted in the Lulyyah (P1 & P2)
garden terraces. (Fig. 12). Comparable
examples from sites in
Oman are illustrated
in Jäckli (119).
 Table 1: Continued.
GPS: (Datum
Site: WGS 84): No. rec.: Location:
Site 36: N 25 16¢ 53.2¢¢ 119 Located in the mountains
Wadi Daftah E 56 11¢ 33.0¢¢ between Masafi and Fujairah.
(120) (Ras The wad is situated northeast
al-Khaimah) of the modern village of
Daftah.
The petroglyphs are
located on boulders and large
rocks. These are situated on
several terraces above the
wad base (121).
Site 37: N 25 4¢ 42.5¢¢ 1 The Wadi Laban is located in
Wadi Laban E 56 14¢ 30.6¢¢ the southern mountains of
(122) Fujairah Emirate. The site is
(Fujairah) adjacent to Wadi al-Hayl.
The petroglyph was located
on a boulder, which was
positioned just below the dirt
track that once led from Wadi
Laban into the Wadi
al-Hayl. This track has since
been closed off by the rock
crushing company active
in Wadi Laban, and the
petroglyph has been
destroyed.
Site 38: N 25 9¢ 27.7¢¢ 2 This site is located in the
Wadi Furfar E 56 12¢ 32.2¢¢ southern mountains of
(Fujairah) Fujairah Emirate. The two
large rocks are situated on the
low mountain slope above
the wad base.
219
Sites/finds: Technique/s (9): Motifs (gen):
Cleared areas on the Percussion: Anthropomorphs (rider
various terraces and outline; in-filled. {and horse}, rider {and
various rock-built Friction: scratched, camel}, various).
enclosures. rubbed. Zoomorphs (ibex?,
A possible pre-Islamic snake, horse {and rider},
grave. camel, camel {and
Ceramic (date unclear). rider}, various).
Petroglyph P89 (Fig. 49) Geometric (ovoid {foot},
is located within the cruciform, dot-in-circle,
wall of a semi-circular various). (Figs. 50, 51,
shaped, rock-built 52 & 53).
enclosure on Terrace 3.
Late Islamic period
settlement remains
including houses,
enclosures, two
hillforts, a watchtower,
Islamic graves, and
ceramics.
There was nothing Percussion: Zoomorphs and
present in the outline; in-filled. anthropomorphs (horse
immediate vicinity. and rider, camel and
However, in the lower rider) (Fig. 2).
zones of Wadi Laban
were the remains of
Islamic period
settlement, including
houses, farms and
falaj systems.
Farms and settlements Percussion: Zoomorphs (camel?,
(abandoned and still outline. various?)
in use) are located Anthropomorph (?)
throughout the wad.
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 Site 39: N 25 7¢ 1.1¢¢ 1 Located in the desert The petroglyph is located Percussion: Anthropomorph

220
Mleiha (123) E 55 52¢ 19.1¢¢ region south of Dhaid. beside a fortification, outline. (Fig. 55).
(Sharjah) The petroglyph is located which has been dated to
on a large, broken rock, the Late Pre-Islamic
beside the walls of a late period, from the middle
pre-Islamic period fort of the 3rd century BC
(Fig. 54). until the 4th century AD
(124).
Site 40: N/A ? On the coastal plain Unknown. Percussion: Zoomorph (bull?
Mirbah (125) north of Fujairah city. Bos indicus) (126).
(Fujairah)
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Site 41: N/A 1 Located within the Unknown. Percussion. Zoomorph (camel).
Wadi Kubh mountains 25 km Zoomorph and
(127) (Ra’s inland from Idn, on anthropomorph (horse
al-Khaimah?) the Manama to Ras and rider).
al-Khaimah road. A 4 Geometric (cruciform,
metre high block of pale various).
granite situated at the
side of the wad (128).
Site 42: N/A ? The site is located in the Sites in the immediate Unknown. Zoomorphs and
Wadi Ghaf southern mountains of vicinity are unknown. anthropomorphs
(129) (Ras the UAE. The Wadi A large amount of Iron (camel and rider).
al-Khaimah) Ghaf is described as a Age period material has Inscription Quranic:
tributary wad of the been recovered from ‘‘There is no God but
Wadi al- Qaur/Qawr. Wadi al-Qawr (131). God, Muhammad is the
The petroglyphs are Wadi al-Qawr would Prophet of God’’ (132).
located on boulders have also been an Quranic inscription: See
within the wad (130). important route from notes for Site 23, Husn
the interior of the UAE Safad.
to the coast.
 Table 2: Chronological motifs/indicators (133).
Motif: Type: Site: Dateable artefact: Chronology:
1 Snake. Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl (134): P5 (·1), P10 (·1), P17 Bronze snakes, al-Qusais, Dubai (136). Iron Age.
(·2), P96, panel 2 (·1): total ¼ 5. Applied snake decoration on ceramic
Site 2: Wadi Saham: P1, panel 2 (·3), P11 (·1), P13, vessels: al-Qusais (Dubai) (137); Tell Abraq
panel 1 (·2), P17 (·2) (Fig. 56), P18 (·1): total ¼ 9. (Sharjah/Umm al-Qawain) (138); Rumeilah
Site 16: Hatta: P32 (·1), P36 (·1): total ¼ 2. (Al Ain), Period I (1000/900-800/700BC)
Site 20: Khor Kalba (B): P6 (·2) (Fig. 57) (135): (139); Muweilah (Sharjah), Iron II period
total ¼ 2. (140); Bithnah (Fujairah) (141).
Site 25: Qidfa East: P3, panel 1 (·1), P3, panel 2 Snake burials, Bahrain (142).
(·2), p16 (·1): total ¼ 4.
Site 36: Wadi Daftah: P19 (·1), P73 (·1), P102 (·1):
total ¼ 3.
2 Ovoid ‘foot’. Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl (143): P3 (·4), P11 (·2), P12 A soft stone pendant (TA 440) from the site Iron Age.
(·1), P20 (·2), P90 (·2), P91 (·3), P112 (·2): of Tell Abraq, contains two ‘‘diametrically This object has been
total ¼ 16. opposed right feet’’ (144). dated to the Iron III
Site 2: Wadi Saham: P3 (·1), P5 (·1), P9 (·1), P10 An alabaster ‘foot’ from the site of Muweilah period 600-300BC (146).
(·1), P13, panel 2 (·2), P24 (·2), P26 (·1): total ¼ 9. (145). Temple IIb has been
Site 3: Bidyah Mosque: P2 (·2), P10 (·5) (Fig. 58): A stamp seal (Seal no.10) from Barbar dated to the early
total ¼ 7. Temple IIb contains a ‘foot’ motif amongst second millennium
Site 4: Wadi Thayb: P18 (·1): total ¼ 1. various other motifs (147). BC (148).
Site 6: Awhala: P8, panel 2 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 14: Wadi Mai: P2, panel 2 (·2), P5 (·1), P10 (·3):
total ¼ 6.
Site 15: West of Awhala: P2 (·2), P3 (·1): total ¼ 3.
Site 16; Hatta: P20 (·1), P22 (·1): total ¼ 2.
Site 20: Khor Kalba (B): P11 (·1), P12, panel 1 (·1):
total ¼ 2.
Site 25: Qidfa East: P21 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 27: Hassat al-Risoom: P1, panel 6 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 28: Wadi ah-Shanah: P1, panel 1 (·1), P1 fallen
panel (·1), P1 fallen panel (·2), P4, panel 1 (·2):
total ¼ 6.
Site 31: Rul Dhadnah (wadi): P1 (·1) (Fig. 37):
total ¼ 1.
Site 32: Wadi Mathab: P1, panel 1 (·3), P2 (·1), P3
(·2): total ¼ 6.
Site 33: Zubarah: P1 (·1) (Fig. 59): total ¼ 1.
Site 34: Jebel Haqab: P2 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 36: Wadi Daftah: P16 (·1), P35 (·1), P43 (·1), P48
(·1), P49 (·4), P51 (·1), P53 (·1), P62 (·2), P63 (·2),
P64, panel 3 (·1), P65 (·1) (Fig. 50), P66 (·1), P70
(·1), P119 (·4): total ¼ 22.

221
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
 3 Cruciform. Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl (149): P 58 (·1): total ¼ 1. The alabaster ‘foot’ from Muweilah contains Iron Age.

222
Site 2: Wadi Saham: P1, panel 1 (·1) (Fig. 11), an incised cruciform motif on the upper First millennium BC
P4 (·1): total ¼ 2. surface (151). (153).
Site 4: Wadi Thayb (150): P2 (·2), P15 (·6) (Fig. 15), The Sabaean cross from Southern Arabia (152). Dated to the 15th
P16 (·1?): total ¼ 9. The ‘Kassite cross’ noted on Kassite seals from century BC (first
Site 12: Wadi Ash Sha’m: total ¼ 1. Mesopotamia (154). style) and the 14th
Site 14: Wadi Mai: P2, panel 4 (·1) (Fig. 60): total ¼ 1. century BC (second
Site 16: Hatta: P43 (·1): total ¼ 1. style) (155).
Site 25: Qidfa East: P3, panel 1 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 27: Hassat al-Risoom (Fig. 45): P1, panel 1 (·5),
panel 3 (·2), panel 4 (·3), panel 5 (·6), panel 6 (·1),
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

panel 7 (·1), panel 8 (·1): total ¼ 19.

Site 28: Wadi ah-Shanah: P1, panel 1 (·1): total ¼ 1.
Site 33: Zubarah: P1 (·1) (Fig. 59): total ¼ 1.
Site 36: Wadi Daftah: P36 (·1), P79, panel 2 (·1), P100
(·1): total ¼ 3.
Site 41: Wadi Kubh: P1 (·4): total ¼ 4.
4 Camel with a Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl (157): P49 (·1), P71 (·1), P96, An incised soft stone pendant from Muweilah Iron Age.
triangular-shaped panel 1 (·2): total ¼ 4. (M215), containing a zoomorphic depiction of a Iron III period (160).
hump (156). Site 10: Wadi Ashwani (A): P1 (·1): total ¼ 1. camel (Camelus dromedarius). The hump on the This object is from
Site 36: Wadi Daftah (158): P73 (·1), P80 (·1) (Fig. 61), camel is represented by a triangular shape (159). Period II at
P84 (·1) (Fig. 62):total ¼ 3. A soft stone stamp seal from Rumeilah also Rumeilah, ca 800/
contains the motif of a camel with a 700-500/400 BC
triangular-shaped hump (161). (162).
5 Ibex? Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P83, panel 2 (·1) (Fig. 63): A soft stone pendant from Mleiha (163). Late Pre-Islamic
total ¼ 1. period?
6 Two anthropomorphs Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P6, panel 1 (·1) (Fig. 64): A seal from Kalba is similar to P6 from Wadi The seal was
(in outline) with hands total ¼ 1. al-Hayl, however, it is not an exact parallel recovered from an
outstretched towards (164). early second
the other. millennium BC
context at Kalba
(K4) (165).
7 Anthropomorph (in Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P9 (·1), P47 (·1) (Fig. 65), P74 A soft stone pendant from the site of Tell Abraq Iron Age.
outline), arms raised, (·1), P78 (·1) (Fig. 66), P83, panel 2 (·1), P86, panel 1 depicts an anthropomorph with raised arms, Late Bronze Age
with a curved sword (·1), P93, panel 1 (·1): total ¼ 7. and a ‘curved waist projection’ or sword at (171).
attached to the waist Site 4: Wadi Thayb: P17 (·4): total ¼ 4. waist height (169).
(166). Site 14: Wadi Mai: P2, panel 1 (·1): total ¼ 1. A soft stone cylinder seal recovered from one of
Site 16: Hatta (167): P48 (·1): total ¼ 1 (Fig. 33). the U-shaped graves at Qidfa (Fujairah) (Fig. 67)
Site 28: Wadi ah-Shanah: P1, fallen panel (·1): contains a comparable figure to TA440 and the
total ¼ 1. rock art motifs (170).
Site 32: Wadi Mathab: P1, panel 1 (·3): total ¼ 3. Ethnographically, the use of curved swords worn
Site 35: Wadi il-Hilu: P1, area 4 (·1): total ¼ 1. at waist height is known from various tribes in
Site 36: Wadi Daftah (168): P7, panel 1 (·1), P25 (·1), South Arabia. Illustrations of these swords and
P55, panel 1 (·1), P55, panel 3 (·1), P56 (·1), P64, the various tribes from the Asir region in
panel 3 (·1), P101 (·1) (Fig. 68), P106 (·1): total ¼ 8. southwest Arabia can be seen in Mauger (172).
 Table 2: Continued.
Motif: Type: Site: Dateable artefact: Chronology:
8 Anthropomorph with Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P67 (·2) (Fig. 69), P93, See Motif 7. Note: there are differences in the Iron Age.
‘‘bi-triangular’’ panel 1 (·1) (Fig. 8): total ¼ 3. anthropomorphic form, however, the This object is from Period
body-shape (173), arms Site 14: Wadi Mai: P2, panel 4 (·1) (Fig. 60): curved sword is present. II at Rumeilah, ca
raised (or no arms), total ¼ 1. A soft stone stamp seal from the Iron Age 800/700-500/400 BC
with a curved sword site of Rumeilah contains a comparable (176).
attached to the waist anthropomorphic motif to those depicted
(174). on the rock art. This seal is depicted in
Boucharlat and Lombard (175). The
anthropomorph is represented with a
‘bi-triangular’ body-shape and a curved
object located at waist height.
9 Anthropomorph with a Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P73, panel 1 (·1) See Motif 7. Note: there are differences in the See Motifs 7 & 8.
‘‘bi-triangular’’ (Fig. 70): total ¼ 1. anthropomorphic form, however, the
body-shape, arms curved sword is present.
raised, with a curved
sword attached to the
waist, sitting atop a
zoomorph (177).
10 Anthropomorph (in Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl: P7 (·1): total ¼ 1 An identical anthropomorphic motif has Umm an/al-Nar.
outline), with raised (Fig. 71). been recovered from the site of K4 in Kalba.
arms, and feet pointed Site 11: Wadi Ashwani (B): P1 (·1): total ¼ 1 This motif was found on a facing-stone
in one direction (178). (Fig. 72). from an Umm an/al-Nar type burial (179).
Site 14: Wadi Mai: P2, panel 2 (·2): total ¼ 2.
Site 35: Wadi il-Hilu: P1, area 2 (·1):
total ¼ 1.
11 Anthropomorph Site 1: Wadi al-Hayl (181): P42 (·1) (Fig. 73): A finely incised motif from the underside of Iron Age (183).
(in outline) (180). total ¼ 1. a soft stone lid (S-262) (Fig. 74) from the
Site 25: Qidfa East: P19 (·1): total ¼ 1. long grave at Sharm, Fujairah, UAE (182).
12 Dot-in-circle/s (184). Site 11: Wadi Ashwani (B): P4 (·1) (Fig. 14): Dot-in-circle/s motifs have been noted as Second half of the third
total ¼ 1. decoration on soft stone vessels and other millennium BC
Site 28: Wadi ah-Shanah: P6, panel 1 (·1), artefacts from the Umm an/al Nar period onwards.
panel 2 (·23) (Fig. 75) & panel 3 (·6): onwards.
total ¼ 30.
Site 35: Wadi il-Hilu: P2 (·6): total ¼ 6.
Site 36: Wadi Daftah: P49 (·1), P50, panel 1
(·2), P55, panel 2 (·1): total ¼ 4.
13 Anthropomorph Site 28: Wadi ah-Shanah: P1, panel 1 (·1) See Motif 7. See Motif 7 (Iron Age).
(in outline), arms raised, (Fig. 76): total ¼ 1.
with a curved sword
attached to the waist,
placed atop a
zoomorph.

223
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Additional evidence for dating the petroglyphs

Unfortunately, the comparison of rock art motifs
See Motif 7 (Iron Age).

Third millennium BC.

with those on dateable archaeological artefacts

cannot provide an exact chronology for the petro-
glyphs. These can, however, provide a terminus post
quem. Results from the previous study at Wadi
al-Hayl (Site 1) suggested a time frame encompass-
ing the Iron Age in southeastern Arabia (c. 1250–300
BC), and the Late pre-Islamic through to the Islamic
periods (188). The dated archaeological material
Weisgerber has also noted similar motifs on Umm
from House-4, has a prismatic shape and bears

Oman. According to Weisgerber, these animals

represented in the current study (Table 2) includes

are well documented from the period between
(Sultanate of Oman) (186). The seal, recovered

motifs on the three large sides. One of these

compared with a stamp seal from Maysar 1

artefacts from sites in the U.A.E., the Sultanate of

an-Nar period pottery, and rock art sites in

Oman, Bahrain, southern Arabia, and Mesopotamia.

The overall character of this motif can be

motifs contains a ‘‘hump-backed bull’’.

The dateable motifs on these artefacts include snake,

ovoid (‘foot’), cruciform, camel, ibex, dot-in-circle
motifs, anthropomorphs with distinctive features
Mesopotamia and India (187).

and composition, and a ‘bull’ design. The majority of

motif comparisons in Table 2 revealed an affinity
with material from Iron Age contexts. Comparisons
were also made between motifs present on artefacts
3000-2000 BC, in

from the Umm an/al Nar period, the early second

See Motif 7.

millennium BC (Wadi Suq), the Late Bronze Age,

and the Late pre-Islamic periods. The result is a
reiteration of the previous results from the Wadi
al-Hayl study, which encompassed a long suggested
time frame for the manufacture of the U.A.E.’s rock
Site 35: Wadi il-Hilu: P1, area 1

art sites. However, this study has revealed an

Site 40: Mirbah (185): P1 (·1):

increase in the occurrence of these ‘dateable’ motifs.

(·1) (Fig. 47): total ¼ 1.

It has also elucidated new rock art motifs, which

have since been compared with a wider range of
dateable artefacts.
total ¼ 1.

Thoughts on interpretation
‘The way we see things is affected by what we know
or what we believe’ (189).
The published rock art study of the site of Hassat
al-Risoom (Site 27) provided an opportunity for the
sword attached to the waist,
arms raised, with a curved
Anthropomorph (in-filled),

use of ethnographic information. Local citizens from

sitting atop a zoomorph.

the nearby village of Roweida were interviewed and

contributed insight concerning the interpretation of
Bull (Bos indicus).

the petroglyph at Site 27 (190). Unfortunately, the

results did not provide any information concerning
the meaning(s) (if any) of the ‘motifs’ present.
However, the study did ascertain a ‘meaning’ for
the petroglyph and the present-day population of
Roweida (191). During the recent past this particular
petroglyph was utilised as a geographical marker
14

15

through the mountain route from Dibba on the East

224

Coast to Ras al-Khaimah (192). Therefore, the site of
Hassat al-Risoom (‘rock with drawings’) carries
‘meaning’ for the locals in this area today (193). Is
it possible that this particular explanation for Site 27
has been passed down through various generations?
There is a history in Arabia concerning the
longevity of ‘tradition(s)’. Many ‘traditions’ and
material culture have been retained from the pre-
Islamic periods to the present day. Examples reflect-
ing this longevity of material culture have been
discussed in the recent study of Bayt Sheikh Suhail
bin Hamdan al-Sharqi, Fujairah, U.A.E. (194). This
ethnoarchaeological study elucidated a number of
links between material culture from prehistorical
and historical periods (195). Another example of
such continuance may be seen in the prehistorical
production of soft stone and/or bronze spouted
bowls. Bowls of the same shape and design are still
manufactured to this day in the Sultanate of Oman
(either in brass or porcelain). The persistence and
endurance of various material cultures may not
provide conclusive explanations for the occurrence
of these ‘traditions’ but it does allow one to specu-
late.
An example of such assiduity may be reflected
between various anthropomorphic rock art motifs,
dateable prehistoric artefacts, and traditional silver
jewellery designs. If one is correct in assuming that
motifs 7 and 8 are comparable to pendant TA440
from Tell Abraq (196), which in turn is reminiscent
of the Lamashtu illness demoness amulets from
Mesopotamia, worn to protect the wearer from the
effects of the demoness, is it then possible to make a
further correlation with the amulets used until the
present day in southeastern Arabia, which contain
representations of female genies (jen) that have been
symbolically shackled? These modern-day genie
(jeny) motifs often consist of anthropomorphic forms
with a ‘bi-triangular’ shape (Fig. 77). As noted
previously, this form also appears on rock art motifs
in the U.A.E. and the Sultanate of Oman, on occasion
with a curved sword at the waist (Figs 8, 10, 60 &
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
69). These ‘talismanic motifs include the tiny anthro-
pomorphic figures representing captive female jen,
which are engraved on the back of the silver ùamt
(this word has been changed from my original
document – it should appear as, samt, with a dot
underneath the letter s; see also below) necklace to
protect the wearer’ (197). These figures have been
‘symbolically rendered powerless by shackles at the
ankles’ (198). The ùamt necklace consists of a flat
disc, worn suspended on a chain or as the centre-
piece of a large necklace. It often contains geometric
designs or Quranic inscriptions (199).
Conclusion
The discovery of new rock art sites and the increas-
ing inventory of motifs have provided more evi-
dence for the spatial contextualisation of the
petroglyphs from the U.A.E. The study of petro-
glyphs at Wadi al-Hayl (Site 1) revealed a number of
similarities in motif, composition, and technique
within the rock art of southeastern Arabia (200). This
current research has produced further evidence for
the homogeneity between the U.A.E. and Omani
rock art corpus. The chronological indicators have
also reinforced the parallels between rock art motifs
and those that appear on dateable Iron Age period
artefacts. Material from earlier periods has also been
elucidated, plus artefacts of a post-Iron Age date.
The issue of interpretation is still problematic,
however, and further ethnographic studies may
provide an effective theoretical approach. The
forty-two known rock art sites discussed in this
paper represent a minimum of 482 petroglyphs.
Many of these sites warrant further detailed inves-
tigation and recording. The mapping of individual
sites and relevant variables, and the overall mapping
of sites throughout the U.A.E. would greatly
enhance our understanding of this phenomenon.
The use of spatial distribution analysis to search for
‘patterning’ may supply information and insight
that has been previously overlooked.
225
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Rock Art Sites

55°45'0''E 55°50'0''E 55°55'0''E 56°0'0''E 56°5'0''E 56°10'0''E 56°15'0''E 56°20'0''E 56°25'0''E
25°45'0''N

25°40'0''N 25°40'0''N

25°35'0''N 25°35'0''N

25°30'0''N 25°30'0''N

25°25'0''N 25°25'0''N
Fig. 2.
Site 37, Wadi Laban, P1, (panel 1) (15 cm
25°20'0''N 25°20'0''N
scale).
25°15'0''N 25°15'0''N

25°10'0''N 25°10'0''N

25°5'0''N 25°5'0''N

25°60'0''N 25°60'0''N

24°55'0''N 24°55'0''N

24°50'0''N 24°50'0''N

24°45'0''N 24°45'0''N

55°45'0''E 55°50'0''E 55°55'0''E 56°0'0''E 56°5'0''E 56°10'0''E 56°15'0''E 56°20'0''E 56°25'0''E

Kilometeres
0 5 10 20 30 40 Fig. 3.
Fig. 1. Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, circular-shaped grave
Map showing rock art sites. (1 m scale).

Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6.

Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ceramics from the Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ‘leopard’ motif, P108 Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ‘leopard’ motif, P66
circular-shaped grave (10 cm scale). (10 cm scale). (10 cm scale)

Fig. 7. Fig. 8. Fig. 9.

Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ‘anthropomorph’, P97 Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ‘anthropomorphs’, Site 6, Awhala, ‘anthropomorph and
(10 cm scale). P93 (panel 1) (10 cm scale). zoomorph’, P1 (10 cm scale).

226
 ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES

Fig. 10. Fig. 11. Fig. 12.

Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, ‘arthropomorph’, Site 2, Wadi Saham, P1 (panel 1) (1.5 m Site 18, Lulyyah, ‘Capital T’ motifs, P1
P103 (10 cm scale). scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 13. Fig. 14. Fig. 15.

Site 3, Bidyah mosque, ‘anthropomorphs’, Site 11, Wadi Ashwani (B), P4 (10 cm Site 4, Wadi Thayb, P15 (10 cm & 1 m
P14 (10 cm & 50 cm scales). scale). scales).

Fig. 16. Fig. 17.

Site 4, Wadi Thayb, P21, showing attached Site 4, Wadi Thayb, P13 & P14, ‘grave’ Fig. 18.
enclosure (10 cm & 1 m scales). structure (10 cm scale). Site 4, Wadi Thayb, P22, detail.

Fig. 21.
Fig. 19. Fig. 20. Site 9, Bithnah (C), P1 and enclosure
Site 6, Awhala, ‘leopard’ motif, P8 (panel 1). Site 6, Awhala, ‘zoomorph’, P5. (10 cm & 1 m scales).

227
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Fig. 23. Fig. 24.

Fig. 22. Site 13, Wadi al-Jareef, P1 showing Islamic Site 13, Wadi al-Jareef, P1 (detail) (10 cm
Site 9, Bithnah (C), P1 (10 cm scale). graves (10 cm scale). scale).

Fig. 25. Fig. 27.

Site 14, Wadi Mai, P2 (panel 1), various Site 14, Wadi Mai, P6, ‘zoomorph’ (10 cm
motifs (10 cm scale). Fig. 26. scale).
Site 14, Wadi Mai, P3, ‘zoomorphs’ (10 cm
& 1 m scales).

Fig. 30.
Fig. 29. Site 20, Khor Kalba (B), P4, ‘anthropomor-
Fig. 28. Site 15, West of Awhala, P1, ‘anthropo- phs’.
Site 14, Wadi Mai, P2 (panel 1), various morphs’ (20 cm scale).
motifs (10 cm scale).

Fig. 32. Fig. 33.

Fig. 31. Site 16, Hatta, general view of structures Site 16, Hatta, P48, ‘antlropomorph’ (10 cm
Site 16, Hatta, general view facing east. facing east. scale).

228
 ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES

Fig. 34. Fig. 35. Fig. 36.

Site 16, Hatta, P48 and structure (grave?) Site 16, Hatta, P18, ‘anthropomorph and Site 16, Hatta, P23, ‘camel with saddle’
(10 cm & 1 m scales). zoomorph’ (10 cm scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 37. Fig. 38. Fig. 39.

Site 31, Rul Dhadnah (wadi), P1 (10 cm Site 17, Wadi Shi, P1 (panel 3), ‘ship/boat Site 19, Khor Kalba (A), P1, ‘zoomorphs’
scale). motif ‘ (10 cm scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 42.
Fig. 40. Fig. 41. Site 23, Husn Safad, P1, ‘Quranic inscrip-
Site 20, Khor Kalba (B), P11, ‘zoomorphs’. Site 20, Khor Kalba (B), P9, ‘zoomorphs’. tion’.

Fig. 43. Fig. 44. Fig. 45.

Site 24, Saqamqam, P1 (panel 1, detail) Site 25, Qidfa East, P14, ‘anthropomorph’ Site 27, Hassat al-Risoom, P1, general view
(scale in 20 cm increments). (15 cm scale). facing east (1.5 m scale).

229
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Fig. 46. Fig. 47. Fig. 48.

Site 34, Jebel Haqab, P1, ‘anthropomorph’ Site 35, Wadi il-Hilu, P1 (area 1), ‘zoomor- Site 35, Wadi il-Hilu, P6, ‘zoomorph’
(10 cm scale). phs’ (1 m scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 50.
Fig. 49. Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P65 foreground and Fig. 51.
Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P89, within enclosure P64 (panel 3) background, various motifs Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P56, various motifs
wall (10 cm scale). (10 cm & 1 m scales). (1 m scale).

Fig. 52. Fig. 53. Fig. 54.

Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P55 (panel 2), various Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P94, various motifs Site 39, Mleiha, P1, general view facing
motifs. (10 cm scale). north (10 cm scale).

Fig. 56.
Fig. 55. Site 2, Wadi Saham, P17 ‘snake motifs’ Fig. 57.
Site 39, Mleiha, P1 (detai1) (10 cm scale). (20 cm scale). Site 20, Khor Kalba (B), P6, ‘snake motifs’.

230
 ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES

Fig. 58. Fig. 59. Fig. 60.

Site 3, Bidyah mosque, P10, ‘ovoid (foot) Site 33, Zubarah, P1, ‘ovoid (foot) motif’, Site 14, Wadi Mai, P2 (panel 4), ‘Cruciform
plus horse and rider motifs’ (50 cm scale). (15 cm scale). and anthropomorphs’ (10 cm scale).

Fig. 61. Fig. 62. Fig. 63.

Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P80, ‘camel and rider’ Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P84, ‘camel and Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P83 (panel 2), ‘ibex?’
(10 cm scale). various motifs’ (10 cm scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 64. Fig. 65. Fig. 66.

Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P6 (panel 1), ‘anthro- Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P47 ‘anthropomorph’ Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P78; ‘anthropomorph’
pomorphs’ (20 cm scale). (20 cm scale). (10 cm scale).

Fig. 67. Fig. 68. Fig. 69.

Qidfa (QDF.1.86.M.104), Soft stone cylin- Site 36, Wadi Daftah, P101, ‘anthropo- Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P67, ‘anthropomor-
der seal (4 cm scale). morph’ (compass ¼ 12 cm in length). phs’ (10 cm scale).

231
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI

Fig. 70. Fig. 71. Fig. 72.

Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P73 (panel 1) ‘anthro- Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P7, ‘anthropomorph’ Site 11, Wadi Ashwani (B), P1, ‘anthropo-
pomorph and zoomorph’ (10 cm scale). (20 cm scale). morph’ (10 cm scale).

Fig. 75.
Fig. 73. Fig. 74. Site 28, Wadi ah-Shanah, P6 (panel 2), ‘dot-
Site 1, Wadi al-Hayl, P42, ‘anthropomorph’. S-262, soft stone lid, Sharm, Fujairah. in-circle motif’ (scale in 20 cm increments).

Fig. 76.
Site 28, Wadi ah-Shanah, P1 (panel 1), Fig. 77.
‘anthropomorph and zoomorph’ (50 cm Silver necklace with ‘genie’ (jeny) motif
scale). (10 cm scale).

232

References
1. Many people have provided infor-
mation and support for this research
project. Sheikh Hamad bin Moham-
med al-Sharqi (Ruler of Fujairah,
Member of the Supreme Council)
kindly permitted the study of rock
art sites in the Emirate of Fujairah.
His encouragement for this and
other projects by the author is
greatly appreciated. The Department
of Archaeology, Sharjah Emirate and
Dr Sabah Jasim have been most
helpful and supportive of this pro-
ject. Mr Essa Abbas (Sharjah
Archaeological Museum) has given
up much of his time to show the
author various rock art sites located
in Sharjah. I am also thankful to the
Department of Antiquities in Ras
al-Khaimah Emirate: Mr Christian
Velde, Ms Imke Möllering, Mr
Ahmed Hilal, and Ms Beatrice de
Cardi, have provided much encour-
agement. Through their help many
of the petroglyphs in Wadi Daftah
have been recovered and saved from
destruction. Dr Walid Yasin al-Tikriti
kindly granted permission for Qidfa
material to be discussed and illus-
trated in this paper. His help is very
much appreciated. Ms Katia Davis
assisted in the recording of a large
number of petroglyphs at Wadi
al-Hayl during the winter of 1999.
Katia’s help and advice is much
appreciated. Mr Salah Ali from
Fujairah Museum provided informa-
tion concerning two rock art sites in
Fujairah Emirate. Mr Carl Phillips
has been most helpful by kindly
providing information concerning
material from his excavations in
Kalba (Sharjah). Ms Karen Cooper
helped by contacting members of the
Emirates Natural History Group
(ENHG), which ultimately led to the
notification of sites. The following
members of the ENHG helped by
providing information concerning
rock art sites: Mr Gary Feulner, Mr
Allan Carruth, Mr Brien Holmes, Mr
Dick Hornby, and Mrs Anne Horn-
by. Mr Allestree Fisher (ENHG) or-
ganised a trip to the rock art site at
Hatta, and kindly allowed the author
to accompany the group. Mr Peter
Hudson and Ms Marijcke Jongbloed
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
provided helpful information con-
cerning the rock art in Wadi Ashw-
ani. Mr Allan Kelly first recorded the
site in Wadi Ziqt and brought it to
the author’s attention. Mr Peter
Hellyer has, as always, been very
supportive of my work. Dr Mark
Beech must be thanked for creating a
wonderful rock art map. My parents
gave up much of their holiday time
to help investigate and record rock
art sites, and I am most grateful.
Abdullah Suhail al-Sharqi has been
dragged to more rock art sites (in all
sorts of weather conditions) than he
would like to remember. His help
and encouragement have been vital.
All photographs were taken by the
author, except for Figures 2, 45, and
67, which were taken by Ms Georgia
Britton, and Figure 38 by Abdullah
Suhail Al Sharqi. These are repro-
duced here by kind permission.
Finally, the main aim of this paper
was to provide researchers with a
starting point for further rock art
research. Many of these sites are
under threat from mining and
development projects. It would be a
shame to lose such a vast and
interesting corpus of archaeological
material.
2. Ziolkowski MC. A study of the pet-
roglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl, Fujai-
rah, United Arab Emirates. AAE 9:
1998: 13–89.
3. According to Haerinck, this site was
originally located in the Emirate of
Ajman. However, the land was later
transferred to the Sultanate of
Oman. Haerinck E. Petroglyphs at
Sinadil in the Hajjar mountains
(southeast Arabia). In: Phillips CS,
Potts DT & Searight S, eds. Arabia
and its Neighbours: Essays on
prehistorical and historical
developments. Turnhout: Abiel, II:
1998: 79–87.
4. de Ceuninck G. 1998 Les
Pétroglyphes du Fujairah: Emirats
Arabes Unis. In: Phillips, Potts &
Searight, eds. Arabia and its
Neighbours: 33–46.
5. Ziolkowski MC & Hassan SA. Three
petroglyphs from the Emirate of
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates. PSAS
30: 2000: 257–65.
6. This map is not complete and only
those sites with known GPS coordi-
nates are illustrated.
7. Regarding the rock art terminology
contained within this paper, refer to
Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 23–5.
8. A number of rock art sites have also
been noted and recorded in the Ruus
al-Jibal (often referred to as the
Musandam Peninsula) (Sultanate of
Oman). Beatrice de Cardi recorded
and published sites at Wadi Qidah,
Wadi Khasab, Wadi Maqaqah, and
Qabal. de Cardi B. Archaeological
Survey in Northern Oman, 1972. EW
25/1-2: 1975: 29: Figs 27–30, 34–36.
Simon de Maré published a petro-
glyph (‘camel and rider’) from the
village of Aghaba. de Maré S. Picto-
glyphs in Wadi Kubh. Bulletin of the
Natural History Group 21: 1983: 28.
David White-Cooper recorded and
published a number of petroglyphs
from the village of Aqebat Oso.
White-Cooper D. Rock engravings in
the U.A.E. and Musandam Peninsula.
Natural History Group Bulletin 31:
1987: 27–8. Paolo Costa has noted and
published rock art from Wadi Bih,
Wadi Qida, and Kumzar. Costa PM.
Musandam: architecture and material
culture of a little known region of
Oman. London: Immel Publishing,
1991: 208–10. Recently Gary Brown
(ERWDA) recorded a petroglyph on
the western side of Wadi Bih, between
the border with the United Arab
Emirates and the Sultanate of Oman
(N25.81352 E56.15676). The rock
measures 50 cm in height, 60 cm in
width, and 110 cm in length. Two
panels were used containing horse
and rider, horse, and anthropomor-
phic motifs. Brown G. Pers. comm.
2005. The author has also noted sev-
eral petroglyphs at the village of
Sabtayn and a smaller settlement
located nearby in the Wadi Bih. The
motifs from these sites include horse
and rider, various anthropomorphs,
ovoid, various geometric motifs,
anthropomorphs with detailed
jewellery, plant motifs, and dot-in-
circles. These petroglyphs have been
noted within terrace walls, enclo-
sures, and on Islamic gravestones.
233
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI
A large petroglyph was recorded by
the author at the site of Quroon
a’Sayd, at the entrance to the Wadi
Khab Shamis, Dibba, Oman. This
petroglyph contains one large panel
with numerous motifs, including an-
thropomorphs, horse and rider, and
various geometric motifs such as the
cruciform. The author has also noted
two sites in the Omani enclave of
Madha, located along the East
Coast of the U.A.E. Madha (A):
N 25 18¢ 14.3¢¢ E 56 20¢ 47.0¢¢
contains seven petroglyphs located
on a small rocky outcrop and at the
base of the mountains. Madha (B):
N 25 18¢ 39.7¢¢ E 56 20¢ 46.1¢¢ consists
of one petroglyph located on an
isolated jabal. Also present at this
site are a number of late Islamic
period stone-built houses. The motifs
from both sites include various
anthropomorphs, horse and rider,
zoomorphs, and various geometric
motifs.
9. For a detailed discussion about
‘materials and manufacture’ see
Ziolkowski, A study of the
petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl:
24–7, 56.
10. The Swiss survey team initially noted
the presence of a single petroglyph at
this site. Corboud P, Castella A-C,
Hapka R & Im-Obersteg P. Archaeo-
logical Survey of Fujairah, (1987–1990)
(United Arab Emirates). Geneva: Swiss-
Liechtenstein Foundation for Archae-
ological Research Abroad, 1991: 13.
For a detailed study of sixty-five
petroglyphs from the site see Ziol-
kowski, A study of the petroglyphs
from Wadi al-Hayl.
11. al-Kindi M. Pers. comm. 2003.
12. al-Kindi M. Pers. comm. 2003.
13. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 16–17.
14. Ziolkowski MC. A preliminary sur-
vey and excavations in the Wadi
Saqamqam, Fujairah, U.A.E. Tribulus
13/1: 2003: 3–16.
15. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 17.
16. Corboud et al., Archaeological Survey:
14.
17. Many of the motifs from Wadi al-
Hayl have been compared to dateable
archaeological artefacts. For a full
discussion see Table 20 in Ziolkowski,
234
A study of the petroglyphs from
Wadi al-Hayl: 65–7.
18. Jäckli R. Rock art in Oman: an intro-
ductory presentation. Zug: self-publi-
cation, 1980: 42.
19. See Corboud et al., Archaeological
Survey: 19–20; Ziolkowski, A study of
the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl:
54; Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three pet-
roglyphs: 257–65.
20. Corboud et al., Archaeological Survey:
19–20.
21. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59–63.
22. See Corboud et al., Archaeological
Survey: 21. Initially the author
recorded eleven petroglyphs at this
site. See Ziolkowski, A study of the
petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
During this study six new petro-
glyphs were recorded. Unfortunately,
P16 has been destroyed by the resto-
ration work, which was undertaken
on the watchtower behind the mos-
que. P3, P4, and P5 have been also
damaged and moved from their ori-
ginal locations because of the resto-
ration work.
23. Ziolkowski MC. The Historical
Archaeology of the Coast of Fujairah,
United Arab Emirates: from the Eve of
Islam to the Early Twentieth Century,
Volume I. Unpublished PhD thesis:
University of Sydney, 2002: 171.
24. For more details see Ziolkowski, The
Historical Archaeology of the Coast of
Fujairah, I: 302–7. On p. 306, the
author has misunderstood a reference
in BJ Slot’s text concerning Dutch
accounts and the Bidyah mosque. Slot
BJ. The Arabs of the Gulf 1602–1784: An
alternative approach to the early history
of the Arab Gulf States and the Arab
peoples of the Gulf, mainly based on
sources of the Dutch East India
Company. Leidschendam:
Veursestraatweg, 1993: 47.
25. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology
of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 169–181.
26. The author originally recorded eleven
petroglyphs at this site. See Ziolkow-
ski, A study of the petroglyphs from
Wadi al-Hayl: 54–55.
27. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
28. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
29. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54. There
has been a considerable amount of
disturbance at the site and the author
could not find the petroglyphs on a
recent visit. It is presumed that they
have been destroyed.
30. Potts DT, Weeks LR, Magee P,
Thompson E & Smart P. Husn
Awhala: A late prehistoric settlement
in southern Fujairah. AAE 7: 1996:
214–39; Petrie C. The Iron Age forti-
fication of Husn Awhala (Fujairah,
U.A.E.). AAE 9: 1998: 246–60.
31. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
32. The author originally recorded four
petroglyphs at this site. See Ziolkow-
ski, A study of the petroglyphs from
Wadi al-Hayl: 54–55.
33. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
34. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
35. de Cardi B (with a Gazetteer by D.B.
Doe). Archaeological Survey in the
Northern Trucial States. EW 21/3-4:
1971: Fig. 41.
36. de Cardi B, Archaeological Survey:
255.
37. For a discussion on the chronology of
the Late Bronze Age see Velde C.
Wadi Suq and Late Bronze Age in the
Oman Peninsula. In: Potts D, al Na-
boodah H & Hellyer P, eds. Archaeol-
ogy of the United Arab Emirates:
Proceedings of the First International
Conference on the Archaeology of the
U.A.E. London: Trident Press, 2003:
104.
38. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey:
Fig. 41.
39. Benoist A. Pers. Comm. 2003.
40. Corboud et al., Archaeological Survey:
Site 24: 11; Benoist A. Excavations at
Bithna, Fujairah: First and Second
Seasons. In: Hellyer P & Ziolkowski
MC, eds. Emirates Archaeology, Volume
I: Proceedings of the 1st Annual Sympo-
sium on Recent Palaeontological and
Archaeological Discoveries in the Emir-
ates, Al Ain, 2003. Al Ain: Zayed
Center for Heritage and History, 2005:
71–88.
41. Jongbloed M. Petroglyphs in Wadi
Ashwani, Fujairah. Tribulus 4/2: 1994:
19, 24.
42. Jongbloed M. Pers. comm. 2004.
43. Jongbloed, Petroglyphs in Wadi
Ashwani: 24. The Swiss also recorded

two sites in Wadi Ashwani with
undated tombs. See Corboud et al.,
Archaeological Survey: 20.
44. Jongbloed, Petroglyphs in Wadi
Ashwani: 24.
45. Jongbloed, Petroglyphs in Wadi
Ashwani: 19.
46. Jongbloed M. Pers. comm. 2004.
47. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
48. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 242:
Fig. 35.
49. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 226,
242.
50. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey: 242.
51. Brass L & Britton G. An archaeolog-
ical survey of northern Fujairah, Uni-
ted Arab Emirates. AAE 15: 2004: 188.
52. Brass & Britton, An archaeological
survey of northern Fujairah: 188.
53. Brass & Britton, An archaeological
survey of northern Fujairah: 188.
54. This site was formerly recorded as
Wadi Ramth. See Ziolkowski, A study
of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl:
54. Petroglyph P2 on the wad terrace
was shown to the author by the local
people. Petroglyph P1 was once
located at the entrance to Wadi Mai.
This large rock was situated beside the
dirt track at the base of the mountains,
within the modern village. See:
Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 87. It
has since been bulldozed and des-
troyed. N 25 1¢ 21.0¢¢E 56 16¢ 19.7¢¢.
55. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 10, 35, and 39.
56. P1 was recorded previously. See
Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 54.
57. Preston K. An introduction to the
Anthropomorphic Content of the
Rock Art of Jebel Akhdar. JOS 2: 1976:
Pl. 19.
58. White-Cooper, Rock engravings: 26.
Further examples of rock art from this
area are on display in Dubai Museum.
Numerous rock art sites have been
noted in the Hatta area: Feulner G.
Pers. comm. 2004; Green S. A pre-
liminary survey of the ‘boulder art’ in
the power station wadi, Hatta, Dubai.
Unpublished report lodged with
ADIAS, Abu Dhabi: 1998.
59. The author visited this site at Hatta
with the Emirates Natural History
Group on 16th December 2004.
Members of the ENHG noted further
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
petroglyphs on the surrounding ter-
races in the wadi.
60. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
61. Jung M. On Representations of Cam-
els and Camel-Riders in the Rock Art
of North Yemen. EW 44: 1994: 241.
62. Jung, On Representations of Camels
and Camel-Riders: Fig. 12.
63. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 76–79.
64. Boucharlat R, Dalongeville R, Hesse A
& Salaville P. Archaeological Surveys in
Sharjah Emirate (U.A.E.): First Report
(1984). Sharjah: Directorate of
Archaeology, Department of Culture
and Information, 1984/1997: Pls
12–13.
65. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 75.
66. Al-Shahri AA. Dhofar: its ancient writ-
ings and inscriptions (in Arabic). Dubai:
Al Ghurair Printing and Publishing
House Co, 1994: Fig. 171; 192.
67. de Cardi, Archaeological Survey in
Northern Oman, 1972: Fig. 30.
68. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
69. Located along the mountain ridge
above the petroglyphs are the remains
of a rock-built wall with circular
shaped watchtowers. Originally this
wall extended over the mountain
slopes (now removed by the coastal
highway), and continued further
along, adjoining the site excavated by
a Japanese team in 2000 and 2001. The
excavations at Lulyyah provide
evidence of a date from the twelfth to
the fourteenth centuries AD. See
Sasaki T & Sasaki H. Excavations at
Luluyyah Fort, Sharjah, U.A.E.
Tribulus 11/1: 2001: 16. Notably, the
Portuguese description from the early
sixteenth century of Khor Fakkan,
mentions that the bay was well
protected by a wall on the land side,
since the inhabitants were more
fearful of ‘being attacked by land than
by sea’. See, de Albuquerque B. The
Commentaries of the Great Afonso Dal-
boquerque, Volume I. London: Hakluyt
Society, 1875: 100.
70. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59–63.
71. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
72. Phillips CS & Mosseri-Marlio CE.
Sustaining change: the emerging pic-
ture of the Neolithic to Iron Age
subsistence economy at Kalba, Shar-
jah Emirate, U.A.E. In: Buitenhuis H,
Choyke AM, Mashkour M & AH AH
al-Shiyab, eds. Archaeozoology of the
Near East V: Proceedings of the fifth
international symposium on the archae-
ozoology of southwestern Asia and the
adjacent areas. Groningen: ARC-Publi-
caties, 62: 2002: 200–201.
73. During his journey to Kalba and
Fujairah in the 1920s, Bertram Tho-
mas recorded a rock art site at
Khutma (Khatam Malaha). See Tho-
mas B. Alarms and Excursions in Ara-
bia. London: Allen & Unwin, 1931:
198–99. This example and others are
located on a low mountain slope close
to the Omani Insurance Company
building, between the borders of the
U.A.E. and the Sultanate of Oman.
These examples are also situated close
to Site 20.
74. Phillips & Mosseri-Marlio, Sustaining
change: 200.
75. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 10, 35, 39.
76. Preston, An introduction to the
Anthropomorphic Content: Pl. 19.
77. The site was first noted by Karen
Frifelt in the 1960s. See Clarke C.
Rock art in the Oman Mountains.
JOS 2: 1976: 13. The site is also
discussed in White-Cooper, Rock
engravings: 26.
78. Potts DT. The Arabian Gulf in Antiq-
uity, Volume I: From Prehistory to the
Fall of the Achaemenid Empire. Oxford:
Clarendon Press, 1990: 365.
79. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Moun-
tains: 13.
80. Potts, The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity: 95,
239, 365; Potts DT. The Late Prehis-
toric, Protohistoric, and Early Historic
Periods in Eastern Arabia (ca. 5000–
12000 BC). Journal of World Prehistory
7/2: 1993: 183.
81. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Moun-
tains: 13.
82. White-Cooper, Rock engravings: 26.
83. The site was first noted by Karen
Frifelt in the 1960s. See Clarke, Rock
art in the Oman Mountains: 13. A
small collection of petroglyphs is also
on display in Al Ain Museum (prov-
enance unknown).
84. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Moun-
tains: 13.
85. Carter R & al-Tikriti WY. The
Archaeology of Jebel Hafit. In: As-
pinall S & Hellyer P, eds. Jebel Hafit,
A natural history. Dubai: Emirates
Natural History Group, 2004: 48–64.
235
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI
86. Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Moun-
tains: 13.
87. Ziolkowski MC. A study of the
petroglyphs from Wadi Al Hayl,
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates.
Unpublished Honours Thesis:
University of Sydney, Australia,
1996: Appendix VI.
88. For information on the hill fort see
King G & Maren-Griesebach H. A
Preliminary Survey of the Archaeol-
ogy of Wadi Safad, Fujairah, U.A.E.
Tribulus 9/2: 1999: 15; Longden G &
Garfi S. An archaeological and archi-
tectural evaluation of a fort in the
Wadi Safad, Emirate of Fujairah.
Tribulus 10/1: 2000: 5–7.
89. King & Maren-Griesebach, A Preli-
minary Survey of the Archaeology of
Wadi Safad: 15.
90. Longden & Garfi, An archaeological
and architectural evaluation of a fort:
6. Ceramics studied by the author
from the site of Husn Safad include a
sherd of sgraffiato dated to the
twelfth/thirteenth centuries, sherds
dated from the sixteenth to the nine-
teenth centuries, and to the twentieth
century, plus a sherd of Wadi Suq
period ceramic. Ziolkowski MC.
Wadi/Husn Safad ceramic report.
Unpublished: 2001.
91. This translation was undertaken by
Professor R. Ebied, Department of
Semitic Studies, University of Aus-
tralia, 1996. See Ziolkowski, A study of
the petroglyphs from Wadi Al Hayl:
Appendix VI.
92. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 264–265.
93. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in
Arabia: 198.
94. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology
of the Coast of Fujairah, United Arab
Emirates: from the Eve of Islam to the
Early Twentieth Century, Volume II.
Unpublished PhD thesis: University
of Sydney, 2002: 68.
95. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology
of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 68.
96. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology
of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 60–61.
97. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeology
of the Coast of Fujairah, II: 60.
98. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeo-
logy of the Coast of Fujairah, I:
240–256.
99. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005.
236
100. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeol-
ogy of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 153.
101. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 257–265. During 2004 part of
the site was damaged by workers
constructing a new road nearby.
Locals from the village of Roweida
stopped any further destruction and
had the petroglyph fenced off.
102. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 257–265.
103. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 257.
104. Ziolkowski MC & al-Sharqi AS. Bayt
Sheikh Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi,
al-Fara’, Fujairah, United Arab Emir-
ates: An ethnoarchaeological study.
AAE 16: 2005: Fig. 45.
105. Ziolkowski & al-Sharqi, Bayt Sheikh
Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi: 183–
255.
106. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
107. Kelly A. Pers. comm. 2005.
108. Hassan SA. Pers. comm. 2005.
109. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 76–79.
110. Petroglyph P1 was initially noted by
workers for the Fujairah Municipality.
111. Ziolkowski, A preliminary survey
and excavations: 3–16.
112. Ziolkowski, The Historical Archaeo-
logy of the Coast of Fujairah, I: 165–
167.
113. Corboud et al., Archaeological Survey:
19; Courboud P, Castella A-C, Hap-
ka R & Im-Obersteg P. Archaeological
Survey of Fujairah, 3 (1993): Prelimin-
ary report of the 1993 campaign of the
archaeological survey of Fujairah (Uni-
ted Arab Emirates). Geneva: Swiss-
Liechtenstein Foundation for
Archaeological Research Abroad,
1994: 5–6, 13–15.
114. Weeks LR. Pre-Islamic Metallurgy of the
Gulf. Volumes I & II. Unpublished
PhD Thesis. University of Sydney,
2000: 208.
115. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du
Fujairah: 34, 40.
116. These burial cairns were noted by the
Swiss team in the 1980s. See Corboud
et al., Archaeological Survey: 17.
117. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du
Fujairah: Fig. 7b.
118. Boucharlat et al., Archaeological Sur-
veys in Sharjah Emirate: 12.
119. Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 59–63.
120. Carruth A. Pers. comm. 2004.
121. This site will be destroyed by road-
works. Many petroglyphs were saved
by the Department of Antiquities in
Ras al-Khaimah Emirate.
122. Local sources. Pers. comm. 1998.
According to M. al-Kindi (U.A.E.
citizen and former resident of Wadi
al-Hayl) there were a further two
petroglyphs in the Wadi Laban.
123. Abbas E. Pers. comm. 2005. This
petroglyph has been published by
kind permission of Sharjah Archaeo-
logical Museum.
124. Benoist A, Mouton M & Schiettecatte
J. The artefacts from the fort at
Mleiha: distribution, origins, trade,
and dating. PSAS 33: 2003: 59–60.
125. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du
Fujairah: 34, 42.
126. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du
Fujairah: Fig. 9. Comparable ‘bull’
motifs have been recorded in the
Sultanate of Oman by Jäckli, who has
also noted the stamp seal from May-
sar containing a ‘bull’ motif. See
Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 102–106.
127. de Maré, Pictoglyphs in Wadi Kubh:
28.
128. de Maré, Pictoglyphs in Wadi Kubh:
28.
129. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in
Arabia: 198.
130. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in
Arabia: 198.
131. Phillips CS. Wadi al Qawr, Fashgha 1:
The excavation of a Prehistoric Burial
Structure in Ras Al Khaimah, U.A.E.,
1986. Edinburgh: University of Edin-
burgh, Dept. of Archaeology, Project
Paper, 7: 1987; Phillips CS. The pat-
tern of settlement in the Wadi al-
Qawr. PSAS 27: 1997: 205–18.
132. Thomas, Alarms and Excursions in
Arabia: 198.
133. Two anthropomorphic motifs were
recorded on a ‘flanking stone’ from
the site of the Barbar Temples in
Bahrain. These two figures were
‘carved’ onto the surface of the rock.
The flanking stone was recovered
from ‘Temple II, pool stairway’.
Andersen HH & Højlund F. The Bar-
bar Temples, Volume I. Aarhus: JASP,
48: 2003: 168, Fig. 215. The building
stones were cut from oolitic lime-
stone. Andersen & Højlund, The Bar-
bar Temples, I: 327. Temples IIa and IIb
have been dated from the late third to

early second millennia BC, Andersen
& Højlund, The Barbar Temples, I: 210,
Fig. 266. Whilst neither of these
anthropomorphs finds an exact par-
allel with the known rock art corpus
of the U.A.E., they are nonetheless
relevant for this study. The two
anthropomorphic figures contain
features that are comparable to a
number of rock art motifs, but they
do not provide an exact match. This
flanking stone with pecked motifs
also demonstrates a ‘petroglyph’,
which is located within a clearly
dateable archaeological site.
134. For illustrations see Ziolkowski, A
study of the petroglyphs from Wadi
al-Hayl: Figs 20, 25, and 32.
135. One of the two ‘snake’ motifs appears
to have a ‘sun’ motif for a head.
136. Taha M. The Archaeology of the
Arabian Gulf during the first millen-
nium BC. Al Rafidan 3–4: 1982–83:
Fig. 16; Potts, The Arabian Gulf in
Antiquity: 361. For a reproduction see
Lombard P. L’Arabie orientale à l’âge du
fer, II. Unpublished thesis submitted
to the University of Paris I, 1985: Fig.
116.
137. Taha, The Archaeology of the Arabian
Gulf: Fig. 15.
138. Potts DT. Further Excavations at Tell
Abraq. The 1990 Season. Munksgaard:
Copenhagen, 1991: 84, Fig. 113.
139. Boucharlat R & Lombard P. The
oasis of Al Ain in the Iron Age:
Excavations at Rumeilah 1981–1983,
Survey at Hili 14. AUAE 4: 1985: 51,
55, Pl. 51.7.
140. Magee P, Thompson E, Mackay A,
Kottaras P & Weeks L. Further evi-
dence of desert settlement complex-
ity: report on the 2001 excavations at
the Iron Age site of Muweilah, Emir-
ate of Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
AAE 13: 2002: 141.
141. Benoist, Excavations at Bithna, Fujai-
rah: 80–81, Figs. 13, 14.
142. Bibby G. Looking for Dilmun. New
York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1969: 164–165.
143. For illustrations see Ziolkowski, A
study of the petroglyphs from Wadi
al-Hayl: Figs 18, 26, 27, and 35.
144. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell Abraq:
Fig. 137.
145. Magee P. Excavations at Muweilah.
Preliminary Report on the First Two
Seasons. AAE 7: 1996: Fig. 26.
ROCK ON ART: PETROGLYPH SITES
146. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah:
208–209.
147. Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar
Temples, I: 241, 298, Fig. 782.
148. Andersen & Højlund, The Barbar
Temples I: 210, Fig. 266.
149. For an illustration see Ziolkowski, A
study of the petroglyphs from Wadi
al-Hayl: Fig. 73.
150. For an illustration of P2 see Ziolkow-
ski, A study of the petroglyphs from
Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 94.
151. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah:
Fig. 26.
152. Grohmann A. Göttersymbole und Sym-
boltiere auf Südarabischen Denkmälern.
Wien: A. Hodder, 1914: 47.
153. Regarding the chronology of the
ancient Sabaean period, see Kor-
otayev A. Ancient Yemen: Some general
trends of evolution of the Sabaic language
and Sabaean culture. Oxford: Journal of
Semitic Studies Supplement, 5: 1995:
1.
154. Mathews DM. Principles of Composi-
tion in Near Eastern Glyptic of the Later
Second Millennium BC. Göttingen:
Orbis biblicus et orientalis, Series
Archaeologica, 8: 1990: 59–60.
155. Mathews, Principles of Composition in
Near Eastern Glyptic: 59–60.
156. A comparable example was recorded
from the Sultanate of Oman. See
Clarke, Rock art in the Oman Moun-
tains: Plate 7.
157. For an illustration of P49 see Ziol-
kowski, A study of the petroglyphs
from Wadi al-Hayl: Fig. 64.
158. Site 36, Wadi Daftah P84: a semi-
circular line or ‘bulge’ has been
depicted below the camel’s stomach.
Is this an illustration of a pregnant
camel? Petroglyphs P73 and P80 con-
tain camels with mounted riders.
159. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah: 206,
Fig. 27.
160. Magee, Excavations at Muweilah:
208–209.
161. See Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis
of Al Ain in the Iron Age: 61–62, Pls
73.9 and 66.8.
162. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of
Al Ain in the Iron Age: 51, 68.
163. Sharjah Archaeological Museum,
Case 15, Object 22.
164. Illustrated in Cleuziou S. Early
Bronze Age Trade in the Gulf and the
Arabian Sea: The Society behind the
Boats. In: Potts D, al-Naboodah H &
Hellyer P, eds. Archaeology of the
United Arab Emirates: Fig. 6. See also
Sharjah Archaeological Museum
(Case 10, Object 11).
165. Cleuziou, Early Bronze Age Trade:
145.
166. Comparable examples of Motif 7 have
been noted in Saudi Arabia and the
Sultanate of Oman. See Ziolkowski, A
study of the petroglyphs from Wadi
al-Hayl: Table 19. P78 also displays
affinities with Motif 10. For an illus-
tration of P9 see Ziolkowski, A study
of the petroglyphs from Wadi al-
Hayl: Fig. 24.
167. Petroglyph P48 from Site 16, Hatta,
also displays similarities with Motif
10. P48 also appears to be part of a
grave-type structure. Haerinck has
recorded petroglyphs within small
circular-shaped graves from another
site close to Hatta, Sinadil. Also
recorded at the site of Sinadil are
examples of Motif 7. See Haerinck,
Petroglyphs at Sinadil: 79, 81–82.
168. Site 36, Wadi Daftah: the following
petroglyphs contain anthropomorphs,
arms raised, with straight swords
attached to the waist (with some
slight variations): P55, panel 2 (·1),
P56 (·1), P69 (·1), P70 (·1) (one arm
raised), P82 (·1), P94 (·2) (two an-
thropomorphs, raised arms, holding
hands, with straight swords attached
to the waist, and one figure with a
bow?).
169. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell Abraq:
Fig. 137. This motif comparison was
made previously in the study of
petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl. See
Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 65, 84–85.
According to Potts, this figure is
reminiscent of depictions of the Bab-
ylonian illness demoness, Lamashtu.
These were depicted on so-called
Lamashtu amulets, i.e. small pen-
dants destined to guard the wearer
against the demoness. Amulets such
as these were particularly common
during the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-
Babylonian periods, thus roughly
contemporary with the Tell Abraq
find. Potts, Further Excavations at Tell
Abraq: 96.
170. The seal from Qidfa (QDF.1.86.M.104)
has been reproduced and discussed
237
MICHELE C. ZIOLKOWSKI
here with the kind permission of Dr
Walid Yasin al-Tikriti. This cylinder
seal was excavated by al-Tikriti in
1986 from the upper chamber of Site 1
at Qidfa. al-Tikriti WY. Pers. comm.
2005. The motif has been engraved
onto the seal with a sharp implement.
The motif depicted is of an anthro-
pomorph with raised arms, claw-like
hands and feet, and a curved sword at
waist height.
171. al-Tikriti WY. Pers. comm. 2005. Note:
material from the Iron Age was also
recovered from this grave.
172. Mauger T. Undiscovered Asir. London:
Stacey International, 1993. I would
like to acknowledge Mr Gary Feulner
for bringing this publication to my
attention.
173. ‘Bi-triangular body-shape’. This
descriptive term was first published
by Preston, An introduction to the
Anthropomorphic Content: 21.
174. Comparable motifs have been re-
corded in the Sultanate of Oman. See
Preston, An introduction to the
Anthropomorphic Content: Plate 13;
Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 45–48 & 64.
175. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of
Al Ain in the Iron Age: Pls 66.5, 73.5.
176. Boucharlat & Lombard, The oasis of
Al Ain in the Iron Age: 51, 68.
177. A similar motif has been recorded in
the Sultanate of Oman, see Jäckli, Rock
art in Oman: 48.
178. Similar motifs have been recorded at
sites in the Sultanate of Oman. See
Preston, An introduction to the
Anthropomorphic Content: 29; Jäckli,
Rock art in Oman: 52.
179. The object under discussion is noted
here with the kind permission of Mr
Carl Phillips. This motif was found on
a facing-stone from an Umm an/al-
Nar type burial, pre-2000 BC in date.
It was recovered from the foundation
wall dating to the Late Bronze Age,
but the motif was obscured by other
238
blocks and not on display. Therefore
it seems likely that the motif and
block date to the same period as the
burial. Phillips C., Pers. comm. 2005.
180. Two similar examples have been
recorded at a site in the Sultanate of
Oman. See Jäckli, Rock art in Oman: 39.
181. This motif is not an exact parallel, but
the overall composition is compara-
ble. Petroglyph P19, Site 25, Qidfa
East, is extremely comparable to
S-262.
182. Ziolkowski MC. The Soft Stone Ves-
sels from Sharm, Fujairah, United
Arab Emirates. AAE 12: 2001: 69,
Fig. 77. S-262 is a ‘chlorite-rich’, soft
stone lid from Tomb I (the long grave)
at Sharm, Fujairah, U.A.E. Square 00/
06. E 0.88, N 6.10; Layer 4; Level 8.72.
Outer diam. 49 mm; inner diam.
39 mm; knob diam. 24 mm; height
25 mm. Ziolkowski, The Soft Stone
Vessels from Sharm: 68.
183. Ziolkowski, The Soft Stone Vessels
from Sharm: 68.
184. Dot-in-circle motifs have also been
recorded on petroglyphs in north
Yemen. See Jung M. Research on rock
art in north Yemen. Naples: AIUON
Supplement, 66: 1991: Pl 13a-b.
185. de Ceuninck, Les Pétroglyphes du
Fujairah: Fig. 9.
186. For an illustration of this seal see
Weisgerber G. Copper Production
during the Third Millennium BC in
Oman and the Question of Makan.
JOS 6/2: 1983: Pl. 5.
187. Weisgerber, Copper Production dur-
ing the Third Millennium BC: 271.
188. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 77.
189. Berger J. Ways of Seeing. London:
Penguin Group, 1972: 8.
190. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 262.
191. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 264.
192. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 264.
193. Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three petro-
glyphs: 262, 264.
194. Ziolkowski & al-Sharqi, Bayt Sheikh
Suhail bin Hamdan al-Sharqi: 183–
255.
195. Ethnoarchaeology is the ethnographic
study of living cultures from archae-
ological perspectives. Ethnoarchaeol-
ogy embodies a range of approaches
in order to understand the relation-
ships of material culture to culture as
a whole, both in the living context as
it enters the archaeological record,
and to exploiting such understand-
ings in order to inform archaeological
concepts and to improve interpreta-
tion. David N & Kramer C. Ethnoar-
chaeology in Action. Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press, 2001: 2.
For further discussion concerning the
ethnographic approach towards rock
art see Ziolkowski, A study of the
petroglyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 74–
75; Ziolkowski & Hassan, Three pet-
roglyphs: 262–265.
196. The motif on QDF.1.86.M.104, cylin-
der seal from Qidfa (Fig. 67) is com-
parable to TA 440.
197. Richardson N & Dorr M. The Craft
Heritage of Oman, Volume I. Dubai:
Motivate Publishing, 2003: 55. Keith
Preston has also commented on the
similarity of certain anthropomorphs
found in the rock art of Oman and the
figures depicted on Omani silver
jewellery. Preston, An introduction to
the Anthropomorphic Content: 27.
198. Richardson & Dorr, The Craft Heri-
tage of Oman, Volume I: 55.
199. Richardson N & Dorr M. The Craft
Heritage of Oman, Volume II. Dubai:
Motivate Publishing, 2003: 540.
200. Ziolkowski, A study of the petro-
glyphs from Wadi al-Hayl: 77.