What are they about?

It's a record of the ancient nomads. Recorded on the rocks of Damaidi is a huge open-air exhibit of the various scenes of life and production, the economic conditions and mental status of the ancient nomadic peoples that had lived there. Most of the carvings feature real people and objects but there are also a few ideographic patterns and symbols.

Though these figures had to be carved out of the hard rocks, they were made with delicacy and craftsmanship. Those ancient rock painters were especially good at grand scenes, the biggest group of carvings being 9 meters long and 1.2 meters high featuring nearly 100 individual figures.

A significant portion of the Damaidi rock carvings are scenes of hunting and herding, giving full expression to the nomads' lifestyle. All prairie animals are depicted in these paintings, including both herbivores like sheep, cattle, horses, camels, donkeys, deer, and roes, and carnivores like tigers, wolves, foxes and leopard s. Among these, sheep, the most important animal for nomads, receive the most attention. Not only are they painted in different numbers and manners, resting, grazing or herding, but also there are pictures in the image of sheep horns, a sign of sheep worship at that time.

Two men are dancing and a rider holds a rein.	A horse, with a rider on its back, is galloping.

Humans are another prominent feature of these rock paintings, showing rich ancient social activities. Hunters are either pursuing animals or, arrow in their bow, taking aims. There are warriors shooting arrows at each other in bloody wars. Also depicted are leisurely herders, graceful dancers, and pious worshippers.

Other features of the Damaidi carvings include heavenly bodies (sun, moon, and stars), water, plants, religious masks, vehicles, tents, and pagodas. Almost every aspect of those ancient nomads' life can be traced in these paintings.

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