Rock Art (updated)

by Fred (Fritz) Hardtke
For a long time it was believed that, unlike its sister city Elkab on the east bank, Hierakonpolis had relatively few examples of Predynastic rock art (petroglyphs). Thanks to the dedicated Hierakonpolis rock art survey initiated in 2009, this is no longer true. Below, Fred Hardtke (rock art survey leader) takes us on a tour of some of the rock art found around the site so far, with more to come as new discoveries are made.

Predynastic rock art is dotted all around the rocky portions of Hierakonpolis, but overall, it is concentrated in two main areas: around the eastern side of the Wadi Abu Suffian and along the adjacent Wadi el Pheel. The latter wadi, still used by locals today, likely served as an ancient route to the deeper desert, indicating its historical importance for accessing desert resources.

ra Rock art map

Within this region, the most significant clusters of rock art are found in the so-called HK11 Complex, surrounding and incorporating the distinctive hill at HK11 that marks the division between the two wadis. This complex includes the long-known site of HK61, with its elaborate boats among many others more recently detected. The other major clusters make up what is called the Southern Complex, located along the Wadi el Pheel. Together, these areas contain the highest density of Predynastic petroglyphs on the site, with a decline in art as one moves away from these complexes. Another remarkable concentration on the outcrop at Locality HK64,while containing some that may stylistically date back to the Predynastic, mainly involves inscriptions and motifs of the historic period (Middle Kingdom to early New Kingdom) and is not included in the discussion here (See HK64).

ra Table 1 Approximately 82% of the rock art consists of non-figural marks and designs, with the remaining 18% depicting animals and boats. Animal forms account for 15% of the overall motifs, with asses, giraffes, dogs, and hippopotami being the most frequently represented species (see table). Despite the rich diversity of fauna depicted, thus far there is only one anthropomorphic figure, whose date is unclear.

Boat depictions are relatively frequent, with 23 boat motifs recorded at seven localities. The most common type is the "in-curved sickle boat" (as classified by earlier scholars), usually with elaborately decorated prows These occur prominently but not exclusively in the HK11 and Southern Complexes. These decorated boats often include ornamental finials and sometimes feature animals, such as bulls, above their cabins (cf HK61A). Less common are undecorated boat types, with only two examples found on an outcrop in the center of the Wadi Abu Suffian (Donkey Hill).

Geometric designs and markings are widespread, particularly in the Southern Complex, where they often accompany animal motifs. For example at, Barbary Sheep Rock in the Wadi el Pheel, detailed depictions of Barbary sheep appear alongside rows of ticks or notches in the stone, some organized in sinuous lines or spirals, a motif found at various locations around the site.

The rock art at Hierakonpolis is often associated with notable landscape features, such as large boulders, rock shelters, or built rock circles, which seem to have been focal points for ancient visitors. This co-occurrence suggests that rock art creation was not a random pastime or opportunistic affair, but instead had an intended purpose at designated locations. While in some cases, it is not clear by a low or remote location was chosen, overall, one can detect a complex interaction with the landscape, emphasizing the significance of both fauna and symbolic designs that were clearly meaningful within the region's ancient culture.