Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs

The origin of the Arabian horse breed has been the topic of much speculation. The earliest clear depictions of horses with Arabian attributes are in Egyptian New Kingdom tomb art, although they were likely first obtained as war booty during Asian battles. Rock art from the 1st millennium BCE to earl...

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Main Author: Sandra L. Olsen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences Sociales de Sanaa 2019-11-01
Series:Arabian Humanities
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/3282
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author Sandra L. Olsen
author_facet Sandra L. Olsen
author_sort Sandra L. Olsen
collection DOAJ
description The origin of the Arabian horse breed has been the topic of much speculation. The earliest clear depictions of horses with Arabian attributes are in Egyptian New Kingdom tomb art, although they were likely first obtained as war booty during Asian battles. Rock art from the 1st millennium BCE to early 1st millennium CE indicates a possible start date for their arrival in the Arabian Peninsula. This study focuses on petroglyphs near Taymāʾ, Ḥāʾil, and al-ʿUlā oases, important caravan way stations along the incense route. Regional artists developed a characteristic style for depicting horses and camels, distinguishing them temporally and spatially. From its initial appearance the breed was closely associated with chariots, but its eventual value to equestrians is equally evident in Arabian rock art. Petroglyphs in this region elucidate physical conformation, military roles, and high status. Practical aspects and cultural indicators such as training, tack, grooming, and henna body painting are revealed in the detailed illustrations.
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spelling doaj-art-ff66d19c76cf451ebfb4c55dbc769af52025-08-20T01:54:19ZengCentre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences Sociales de SanaaArabian Humanities2308-61222019-11-01810.4000/cy.3282Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian PetroglyphsSandra L. OlsenThe origin of the Arabian horse breed has been the topic of much speculation. The earliest clear depictions of horses with Arabian attributes are in Egyptian New Kingdom tomb art, although they were likely first obtained as war booty during Asian battles. Rock art from the 1st millennium BCE to early 1st millennium CE indicates a possible start date for their arrival in the Arabian Peninsula. This study focuses on petroglyphs near Taymāʾ, Ḥāʾil, and al-ʿUlā oases, important caravan way stations along the incense route. Regional artists developed a characteristic style for depicting horses and camels, distinguishing them temporally and spatially. From its initial appearance the breed was closely associated with chariots, but its eventual value to equestrians is equally evident in Arabian rock art. Petroglyphs in this region elucidate physical conformation, military roles, and high status. Practical aspects and cultural indicators such as training, tack, grooming, and henna body painting are revealed in the detailed illustrations.https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/3282Arabian horsepetroglyphgroomingtackhenna
spellingShingle Sandra L. Olsen
Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
Arabian Humanities
Arabian horse
petroglyph
grooming
tack
henna
title Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
title_full Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
title_fullStr Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
title_full_unstemmed Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
title_short Insight on the Ancient Arabian Horse from North Arabian Petroglyphs
title_sort insight on the ancient arabian horse from north arabian petroglyphs
topic Arabian horse
petroglyph
grooming
tack
henna
url https://journals.openedition.org/arabianhumanities/3282
work_keys_str_mv AT sandralolsen insightontheancientarabianhorsefromnortharabianpetroglyphs