Rock Art and the Reconstruction of a Paleoenvironment: The Case of Alces alces in the Mongolian Altai

Prehistoric rock art in the Mongolian Altai, particularly depictions of the moose (Alces alces), provides unprecedented insights into the radical environmental transformations of the region over several thousand years. This study reveals that the presence of moose in petroglyphs from the Baga Oigor valley—dating back to the late Paleolithic through the Turkic Period—signals significant shifts in the Altai Mountains' ecosystem, influencing both faunal survival and cultural dynamics. By analyzing these images within their broader pictorial contexts, researchers reconstruct a world inhabited by ancient hunters and herders, offering a nuanced understanding of how environmental changes shaped human societies. This approach bridges gaps in our knowledge of this poorly documented region, shedding light on the interplay between ecology and culture.

Jacobson-Tepfer, E. (2024). Rock Art and the Reconstruction of a Paleoenvironment: The Case of Alces alces in the Mongolian Altai. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202406.1328.v1