The Chinese writing system is by far one of the most complex in the world, and its origins are truly ancient. In fact, Chinese characters are the oldest continuously used system of writing in the world, a fact that alone makes them very, very special. It is thus only natural to ask the question: where did these characters originate? A system of writing that is so complex and unique surely has to have a special place of provenance. Some scholars believe that the characters first came to existence amongst the Damaidi petroglyphs – ancient drawings carved in stone that reach far, far back in time. Are they the key to the riddle?
Searching for the Origins: The Enigma of Damaidi Rock Art
Damaidi rock art, also known as the Damaidi petroglyphs, are a collection of stunning ancient rock carvings found in China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. They are situated close to the village of Damaidi, which is set amid the Weining Mountains on the north bend of the famed Yellow River . These carvings have been dated to between 6,000 and 8,000 years before present and depict a wide variety of images, including animals, humans, and abstract symbols . The images are carved into local cliffs, and in total there are 3,172 sets of early Chinese petroglyphs , all of which feature 8,453 individual figures. These are stunning numbers, indicating that the site was filled with art over many generations.
The engravings (right of center) depict human…
