Symbolism of the ibex motif in Negev rock art

Article (PDF Available) in Journal of Arid Environments 143 · December 2016 with 317 Reads
DOI: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.11.009
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Abstract
The male ibex is the dominant zoomorphic motif in rock art of the Negev desert, Israel. It recurs in thousands of petroglyphs, either alone or in association with several recurring images; commonly with dogs or other predators but also with hunters. These associations occur in all chronological phases of Negev rock art, implying that they had an enduring symbolic significance. Here we address only some aspects of ibex iconography, focusing on its association with dogs, hunters and astral symbols. We discuss the possible meaning of these associations with regard to the ritual hunting of ibex and connection to deities associated with rainfall, seasonal cycles and celestial constellations.
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Supplementary Information
SI Fig. 1. Male ibex on the cliffs of the Ramon Crater, central Negev highlands (Photograph
by U. Avner, 2012).
SI Fig. 2. Ibex hunting scenes in neighboring deserts: A. Sakaka, Sa‘udi ‘Arabia (‘Abdul
Nayeem 2002:202), B. Najran, Sa‘udi ‘Arabia (courtesy of Christian Robin), C. Wadi
Abu-Qwei, Eastern desert, Egypt, late Predynastic (Redford & Redford 1989:13, c.f.
Morrow et al. 2010:218), D. Wadi Abu-Wasil, Eastern desert, Egypt (Morrow et al.
2010:189).
SI Fig. 3. Ibex with dogs and hunters in Near Eastern art: A. Susa, Iran ca. 4000 BC. (Clark
2001:69), B. Iran, ca. 800 BC (Kist et al. 2003: Fig. 11), C. Saqqara, Egypt, ca. 2320 BC.
(Malek 2001:83), D. Hierakonopolis, Egypt, ca. 2990 BC, lower part of palette (Malek
2001:32, Ashmolean E.3924).
SI Fig. 4. Saving the ibex: A. Achaemenid seal impression, Persepolis, ca. 600 BC (Root
2002:182), B. Mesopotamian seal impression, ca. 4th millennium BC (Amiet 1961: No.
698). C. Dilmun, Baḥrain (Højland et al. 2005: Fig. 17).
SI Fig. 5. Seal impressions with ibex up and down: A. Akkad, ca.1800 BC, (Hartner 1965:
Fig. 25), B-D. Cyprus, ca.1600 BC (Kenna 1967: Figs. 15, 28, 29).
SI Fig. 6. Metal object from Nabataean temple at Jebel Serbal, Sinai, 1st century BC-3rd
century AD (Avner in press: Fig. 13).
SI Fig. 7. Susa, Iranian bowl, ca. 3400 BC (Pope & Ackerman 1938: Pl. 3c).
SI Fig. 8. Ibex with celestial symbols: A. Ramat Matred, central Negev Highlands, B. Har
‘Arqov, central Negev Highlands, C, D. Har Karkom.
SI Fig. 9. Ibex with celestial symbols in Near Eastern art: A. Iranian Goblet, Tepe Sialk, ca.
3300 BC. (Woolley 1961:39). B. Pottery decoration, Susa, ca. 4000 BC (Pope & Ackerman
1938: Fig. 32j,k), C. Tepe Gian, ca. 4000 BC (Amiet 1961: No. 85), D. Early Assyrian
(Ward 1910:181, No. 494), E. Iron Age, Jordan (Timm 1993:192, No. 6), F. Proto-Elamite
(Amiet 1961: No. 537), F. Iron Age II (Sass 1993: Nos. 59/158).
SI Fig. 10. Sky-map with reconstructed the ibex constellation (Hartner ,1965: Diagram 1).
SI Fig. 11. Star constellations: A. Bronze astral bowl, ca. 700 BC (Lemair 1999: Fig. 1), B.
The constellation of Orion (following the astral bowl) with Lepus below him. C.
Reconstruction of ibex below Orion (following the astral bowl).
SI Fig. 12. Middle Bronze Syrian seal impression, an ibex with ‘rabbit ears’ in the mid lower
part (Collon 1982: Fig. 3f; Zevulun & Ziffer 2012: Fig. 24).
References for SI
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