Rock Art as a Reflection of Cultural Heritage and Environmental Context: Interpreting and Documenting New Epigraphic Materials and Rock Art from Jordan's Black Desert

Over the past two decades, the northeastern Jordanian Badia has been a focal point for extensive archaeological research, particularly in epigraphy and rock art documentation. The Badia Epigraphic Survey (BES) Project, launched in 2015, has played a crucial role in re-documenting Safaitic inscriptions and systematically recording newly discovered inscriptions and rock engravings. One of the most significant recent discoveries is a newly documented rock art depiction of an elephant in Wadi Salma, representing the first known example of its kind in the region. This study examines the stylistic features, cultural significance, and possible historical interpretations of this engraving, comparing it to similar elephant depictions found in Al-Ula and Hima (Saudi Arabia). The analysis highlights the influence of environmental, cultural, and artistic factors in rock art production within the harsh desert conditions. The presence of elephants in Arabian rock art suggests either direct encounters with these animals, artistic diffusion through trade, or secondhand knowledge from travelers and oral traditions. Additionally, references to the “Year of the Elephant” (570 CE) in Arabic literary sources raise questions about whether the depiction in Wadi Salma indicates a broader cultural recognition of elephants in pre-Islamic Arabia. However, due to the absence of associated inscriptions, determining the precise meaning of the engraving remains speculative. This study underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches in rock art research, integrating archaeology, epigraphy, and cultural history to better understand the significance of such depictions. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on rock art in Jordanian Badia, shedding light on the dynamic cultural exchanges and artistic expressions of ancient desert communities.