The Anatomy of Deep Time

Elements in Environmental Humanities

by Esther Jacobson-Tepfer

Petroglyphic rock art in three valleys of Mongolia's Altai Mountains reveals the anatomy of deep time at the boundary between Central and North Asia. Inscribed over a period of twelve millennia, its subject matter, styles, and manner of execution reflect the constraints of changing geology, climate, and vegetation. These valleys were created and shaped by ancient glaciers. Analysis of their physical environment, projected from the deep past to the present, begins to explain the rhythm of cultural where rock art appears, when it disappears, and why. The material and this remote arena offer an ideal laboratory to study the intersection of prehistoric culture and paleoenvironment.

92 pages, Paperback

Published March 19, 2020

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I traveled to the geography of this book in 2018 and have worked just across the border in Russian Altai for years. So, although the subject matter is very narrow, I got a lot out of reading it. I appreciated the author’s careful and thorough discussion of how changing environment, history, and culture interact and that rock art (petroglyphs) are at the center of that interaction. I ordered the print version which is in black and white only unfortunately, but you can access a full color electronic version via the publisher’s website. Lots of photographs!