Recent study by scientists suggests that acoustic qualities of a rock shelter may have been a key factor in its selection as a site for rock art and indicate a spiritual significance to the practice.
Prehistoric rockart depicting animals has been uncovered in Subeira Valley near Aswan, South Egypt.
Archaeologists unearthed rock art and jewellery dating back to the last ice age at Leang Bulu Bettue, a cave and rock shelter on Sulawesi, Indonesia. Experts estimate the finds may be at least 22000 years old.
Rock art dating back 5000 years was found on the ceiling of a small cavity in the Egyptian Sahara desert, between the Nile valley and the Gilf Kebir Plateau. It is believed it depicts a star in the east, a newborn between parents and two animals.
Iranian archaeologists discovered numerous ancient rock art sites across the country. Among the art are depictions of ancient hunters, tribal dances, cup marks, possible deities and beasts. But their date of creation is uncertain.
Archaeological survey of the Khyber tribal area in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas region of Pakistan brought a discovery of new 110 heritage sites. Among them are 30000 year old Palaeolithic rock paintings found in in Tehsil Jamrud.
At the site of Jebel Qurma in Jordan’s Black Desert archaeologists discovered thousands of inscriptions and petroglyphs dating back around 2000 years.
Archaeologists and aboriginal landowners surveyed over 250 sites in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, documenting more than 30000 images of prehistoric art.
Chilean researchers documented over 150 rock art paintings in the Coquimbo Region, South of Atacama Desert in northern Chile. Specialised digital analysis software was used to detect colours and patterns unobservable in normal conditions by human eye.