Ancient rock art found in Egypt's Sinai Desert spans about 10,000 years

A rock shelter on the Umm Arak Plateau in southern Sinai contains rock art and inscriptions dated stylistically from roughly 10,000–5,500 B.C. through medieval times, the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced.

Archaeologists have identified a rock shelter with art and inscriptions on the Umm Arak Plateau in southern Sinai. The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities announced the discovery in two statements. The shelter's images span a long time range, with the oldest material stylistically dated near the entrance to about 10,000–5,500 B.C., and additional imagery and inscriptions continuing into medieval periods. The site was found during an archaeological survey and the team was assisted by a local resident, Sheikh Rabie Barakat. Key details: - Location: Umm Arak Plateau in the southern Sinai Desert. - Shelter dimensions: about 100 meters long, roughly 3 meters deep, with a ceiling up to about 1.5 meters high. - Oldest rock art near the entrance is stylistically dated to roughly 10,000–5,500 B.C. - Images include a hunter holding a bow accompanied by at least two hunting dogs, geometric motifs (X's, squares, ovals, crescents and more complex shapes), and later scenes showing people on horses, camels, and weapons, plus inscriptions including Nabataean script. - The shelter sits near ancient copper and turquoise mines and was described as likely used across ages as a lookout point and a place for gathering and rest. - The archaeological team is analyzing the designs and images and reported the site during a survey assisted by Sheikh Rabie Barakat. Summary: John Darnell, a Yale Egyptology professor not involved in the discovery, said the Sinai was an important mineral region and that the find will help better understand interactions between ancient Egyptians and the desert environment. The archaeological team is continuing analysis of the designs and the images released so far include material from late antiquity through medieval times with Nabataean inscriptions. Undetermined at this time.