Rock Art Research

In the Eastern Desert of Egypt there are many animal petroglyphs apparently dating from the predynastic period. This paper reviews the presumed giraffe images in detail in terms of style, location and context, and compares them with similar images from the Nile Valley and (less comprehensively) the Sahara. Stylistic similarity indicates some cultural homogeneity. The work of individual artists or groups working in specific locations is apparent. There is only a little indication that the animals were hunted. In some cases it appears that petroglyphs of ‘giraffes’ predate those of ‘boats’.