ON THE INTERPRETATION OF CENTRAL ASIAN AND SOUTH SIBERIAN ROCK ART

Several theoretical issues in the study of petroglyphic art of Central Asia and Southern Siberia are discussed: (1) the natural and cultural environment; (2) temporal distribution; (3) planigraphic method based on parallels with site planigraphy; (4) similarities and dissimilarities between petroglyphs and figurines; (5) chronological criteria of style in various artistic traditions; (6) multiple interpretations and principal semantic blocks; and (7) the notion of graphic stratum as a form in which petroglyphs exist and in which they should be studied. The analysis of petroglyphs with regard to these criteria facilitates the reconstruction of their creators’ “artistic laboratory” and helps view the petroglyphs as an integral part of a specific culture and a specific age.