Camels in Rock Art Scenes in Dhofar

Abstract

The region of Dhofar in southern Oman is rich in rock art scenes that widely portray the camel. This paper examines these rock art scenes and looks into their cultural signification. It examines the camel scenes to highlight this animal’s characteristics and its role in the economy, trade and transport. Furthermore, the paper draws from an ongoing ethnoarchaeological study to establish certain analogies in order to explain the significance of these scenes and their denotation. The study regards the scenes as a representation of a wide spread rock art camel culture that parallels traditional camel culture in Dhofar.