Open AccessCamels in Rock Art Scenes in Dhofar
Author(s) -
Ali Tigani ElMahi
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of arts and social sciences/mağallaẗ al-ādāb wa-al-ʿulūm al-iğtimāʿiyyaẗ
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2522-2279
pISSN - 2312-1270
DOI - 10.24200/jass.vol6iss1pp101-114
Subject(s) - rock art , parallels , denotation (semiotics) , representation (politics) , archaeology , history , art , literature , law , political science , engineering , politics , mythology , mechanical engineering
The region of Dhofar in southern Oman is rich in rock art scenes that widely portray the camel. This paper examines these rock art scenes and looks into their cultural signification. It examines the camel scenes to highlight this animal’s characteristics and its role in the economy, trade and transport. Furthermore, the paper draws from an ongoing ethnoarchaeological study to establish certain analogies in order to explain the significance of these scenes and their denotation. The study regards the scenes as a representation of a wide spread rock art camel culture that parallels traditional camel culture in Dhofar.