Discussion on the Contact Between Tibetan Plateau Rock Art and Central Asia Prairie Culture

Li Yongxian

Abstract:First of all, from the point of physical geography, the paper argues that the new found rock art in eastern of Tibetan Plateau constitutes the main distribution area with high elevations in the west（northwest of Tibet and upper reaches of the Indus）, also have geographical characteristic of Plateau rock art. Secondly, it is believed that Tibetan Plateau rock art as well as other rock art in north of China belong to marginal culture of ancient "Hua Xia", while have many connections with Central Asia prairie culture in the further north. For the reasons of physical geography of Tibetan Plateau and earlier nomadic cultures, it is possible that Tibetan Plateau rock art may have connections with Central Asia Prairie Culture through the Inner Asia Mountain Corridor of Tianshan-Pamir Plateau. The influence of this interaction is obviously revealed on metal objects and rock art graphics.

Key words:Tibetan Plateau Rock Art; Central Asia Prairie Culture; Inner Asia Mountain Corridor