The Rock Art of Arabia: Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, The Emirates & Yemen

This work presents for the first time a comprehensive study of the rock art of the entire Arabian Peninsula, covering five States where it has been recorded. Major portion of the book is covered by Saudi Arabia owing to abundance of material and vastness of the country. In fact, this is the first comprehensive book on Saudi Arabia’s rock art covering and reviewing all the regions and describing stylistic traditions to be found there. The book, besides presenting description of the petroglyphs, with archaeological background, delves and discusses topic’s emerging from their study. Such as, development of rock art in Saudi Arabia and chronology, people of rock art and their ethnic origin, socio-cultural aspects, tribal marks (Wusum), origin of writing from rock art in Arabia, etc. Separate parts of the volume are devoted to Qatar, the emirates, Oman and Yemen. Lastly, it syntheses the rock art from all these five States and finds affinities in the art of neighbouring countries. Profusely illustrated, the book is outcome of several years’ research and travelling to far-flung sites of all the Arabian States. A formidable task achieved singly. It brings to light several hundreds of unpublished petroglyphs. The book is of remarkable distinction, which will become indispensable as a work of reference for any specialist of rock art.