Iconographic and archaeometric studies on the rock art at Musayqira, Al?Quwaiyah Governorate, central Saudi Arabia

We investigated the rock art (petroglyphs) in Al-Quwaiyah Governorate (Saudi Arabia) with focus on Musayqira site. Iconographic analysis showed a broad variety of human depictions, game animals (ibex, ass, ostrich, lion, etc.), domestic (cattle, camel, horse, dog, inscriptions and abstract symbols. Archaeometric measurements by pXRF provided areal densities Mn petroglyphs intact varnish. Varnish accumulation rates were derived from density known approximate age. Applying these to varnish yielded age estimates. Some was incised fracture fill rather than true varnish, complicating interpretation data. The combination iconographic archaeometric data indicated multiple phases creation, corresponding Late Neolithic, Bronze Age, Iron Islamic Period, different artistic traditions, reflecting changing socioeconomic ecological conditions.