Chifeng Ongniud Banner Petroglyphs
赤峰翁牛特岩画 · Ongniud Petroglyphs · Chifeng Rock Art
Neolithic to Medieval (Hongshan to Liao-Jin)·Hongshan, Lower Xiajiadian, Ordos and Khitan Liao·🇨🇳 Inner Mongolia, Chifeng, Ongniud Banner, Han-Su Mu grassland, China
About
About Chifeng Ongniud Banner Petroglyphs
Low granite Inselbergs and tableland scarps scattered across the Ongniud steppe at the eastern terminus of the Yinshan rock-art province. Some 3000 pecked images on varnished granite: Neolithic elk, Bronze Age chariots and dagger-axe symbols, plus Liao-Jin period Khitan inscriptions. The site bridges Yinshan (west) and Manchurian (east) traditions, showing Hongshan culture influence on mask imagery. Seasonal river valleys concentration near old shorelines of the Xilamulun River indicates pastoral aggregation near wetland refugia. Municipal reserve with 4WD tracks and herder-guided access.
Why it mattersEasternmost Yinshan corridor linking North Chinese steppe rock-art to Manchurian core.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Hongshan dragon-mask link
- 02Khitan script content
Theories
- 01Xilamulun wetland ritual gallery
- 02Hongshan-Yinshan transmission node
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.5000 BCE–1100 CE (Neolithic to Jin)
- Period
- Neolithic to Medieval (Hongshan to Liao-Jin)
- Culture
- Hongshan, Lower Xiajiadian, Ordos and Khitan Liao
- Builders
- West Liao River plain farming-pastoralists
- Purpose
- Seasonal pastoral camp marking and burial-associated art
- Abandoned
- Jin collapse c.1100 CE
- Rediscovered
- 1970s Chifeng Cultural Bureau; 2000s Inner Mongolia University photogrammetry
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c.4000 BCE
Hongshan mask-inflected panels
1500 BCE
Lower Xiajiadian chariot peak
902 CE
Khitan Liao inscriptions overlay
2018
Ongniud Geopark interpretation centre
On the ground
Structures & features
42.9200° N · 119.0200° E · 620 m · 2 mapped features
Central Inselberg — Elk and Mask Panel
inselberg panelGranite dome with Neolithic elk herd and Hongshan-style mask
42.9210° N · 119.0210° ENorthern Scarp — Khitan Text Boulder
boulder panelLow scarp boulder with Liao Khitan inscription overlaying Bronze Age ibex
42.9250° N · 119.0180° E