A recent study published in the Cambridge Archaeological Journal has shed light on the mysterious transformation of elk rock art in the Mongolian Altai Mountains. The research, conducted by Dr. Esther Jacobson-Tepfer, reveals how these realistic images of elk gradually evolved into stylized and distorted wolf-like beasts.
The earliest depictions of elk date back to the late Paleolithic period, around 12,000 BP. These early images show both males and females in naturalistic settings, often accompanied by other wildlife such as mammoths and woolly rhinos. However, over time, these images began to change, with elk becoming more alert and dynamic.
As the environment changed due to climate shifts, hunters and herders adapted their lifestyles, leading to a shift in the types of animals depicted in art. Elk became less static and were incorporated into human activity scenes, while also being depicted alongside other fauna. However, by the late Bronze Age, realism began to fade, and elk representations started to take on more stylized forms.
These transformations coincide with significant changes in socio-political structures and environmental conditions. As forests receded and habitats changed, people adapted to their new environments by becoming semi-nomadic pastoralists. This shift is reflected in the art, with images of families traveling together with their animals appearing at higher elevations.
The study suggests that elk became symbols of rank, clan, and specific ideas, rather than a reflection of the natural world. By the Turkic Period, the image of the elk had disappeared completely. The transformation of elk rock art provides valuable insights into the cultural and environmental changes that occurred in the region over thousands of years.
Source: https://phys.org/news/2025-07-reveals-ancient-elk-art-realistic.html