Explanation and Interpretation: An Overview of Newly Discovered Rock Art Materials from the Jordanian Black Desert

Al-Manaser, Ali; Al-Tell, Yazan

DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.21246405.

Vol. 58 (2026), pp. 3–12 •

2.42 MB

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Explanation and Interpretation: An Overview of Newly Discovered Rock Art Materials from the Jordanian Black Desert

Ali Al-Manaser,^1,* Yazan Al-Tell ²

(1) Department of Cultural Resources Management and Museology, Queen Rania Faculty of Tourism and Heritage, The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan; (2) Department of Cultural Resources Management and Conservation, School of Archaeology and Tourism, The University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan

^* (aliy@hu.edu.jo)

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Abstract

This study analyzes recently discovered rock art inscriptions and carvings from northeastern Jordanian Badia, interpreting their symbolism from both local and scholarly perspectives. The paper examines how the surrounding environment shaped these representations and explores their cultural significance. Furthermore, this research provides a comprehensive overview of the rock art tradition in northern Badia, focusing on basalt stone carvings dating from the 1st century BCE to the 4th century CE. The rock art features various animals, most commonly camels, alongside anthropomorphic images and abstract (non-representational) designs, including geometric patterns. This research presents only the second known published example of an elephant depiction in the region's rock art corpus. It also distinguishes between hunting spears and combat spears, discussing technologies such as the atlatl (spear-thrower) as represented in the engravings. Additionally, the study analyzes war shields depicted alongside warriors.

Keywords

Rock art, petroglyphs, anthropomorphs, abstract images, elephant depictions, hunting spears, combat spears, atlatl, Black Desert, Jordan.

Cite as

Al-Manaser, A.; Y. Al-Tell. 2026.
Explanation and Interpretation: An Overview of Newly Discovered Rock Art Materials from the Jordanian Black Desert. Arqueología Iberoamericana 58: 3–12.

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Other Persistent Identifiers

PURL: purl.org/aia/5801. ARK: ark:49934/421, ark:49934/421.

Received: May 30, 2026. Accepted: July 2, 2026. Published: July 10, 2026.

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