A piece of petroglyph depicting deer found in Alshaa Left Banner in Alshaa League in North China’s Inner Mongolia [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A total of 172 pieces of petroglyphs -- drawings or carvings on rocks -- made by prehistoric man in the late Stone Age to the Iron Age were recently discovered in Alshaa Left Banner in Alshaa League in North China’s Inner Mongolia, according to information from the cultural relics bureau of Alshaa League.

Archeologists explained that most of the petroglyphs were made by using techniques such as grinding, chiseling, with a few employing scratching.

They said the themes include sheep, horses, tigers, deer, riders, hoof prints, camels, gods, figures and horses.

These images reveal the social life and spiritual beliefs of the ancient clan tribes and nations that once lived on the Alshaa Grassland.

“In terms of content theme, production techniques, expressions and style characteristics, some of these petroglyphs were exquisitely made,” said Jing Xueyi, director of the cultural relics bureau of Alshaa League.

“They are extremely rare and Alshaa’s petroglyphs have high academic research value,” Jing added.

The sparsely populated Alshaa League has rich petroglyph art resources.

The petroglyphs have distinctive characteristics such as small distribution areas and dense and clear images. The themes mainly express people's daily activities.

A piece of petroglyph found in Alshaa Left Banner in Alshaa League in North China’s Inner Mongolia [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]