Abstract ID: 3.13493 | Accepted as Talk | Talk | TBA | TBA

The Kyzyl Dara Gorge is located in the south-western foothills of the Tien Shan mountain range in Uzbekistan. Discovered in 2019, this high mountain petroglyph site is unique in the region, consisting of several hundred panels and thousands of individual representations. The petroglyphs, mainly depicting Capra sibirica, are spread over a steep slope, from the bottom of a ravine at 2,600 metres to a nearby peak at 3,100 metres above sea level. Despite its relative proximity to the nearest town, the site is extremely difficult to access and difficult to explore. The journey requires a two-day hike from the nearest passable road. Even in summer – the most suitable season for research – persistent snow in the gorge complicates both access and fieldwork. Additional challenges include severe thunderstorms, high winds and extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures reaching 40°C and nighttime lows below zero.

These challenging conditions require research strategies adapted to the environment. The fieldwork season must be kept as short as possible while maintaining maximum efficiency. Extending the season would entail logistical difficulties, including replenishing supplies in camp and ensuring sufficient power for cameras and surveying equipment. During the two field seasons, the team was divided into two specialised groups. The first group surveyed the rocky surfaces, marking and numbering the discovered panels. The second group went directly to the marked sites to make photographic and photogrammetric documentation, including, in some cases, the creation of 3D models. The exact location of each panel was recorded using a total station. By prioritising photographic documentation and supplementing it only with simple sketches, the team minimised the time spent in extreme conditions, while shifting most of the interpretive analysis to cabinet work.