Carschenna rock n. 3: concentric
circles
and solar representation (photo A. Arcà - Footsteps
of Man) |
Situation.
One of the most interesting open air Rock Art sites in
the Swiss Alps is situated at Carschenna, Rethic Alps
(Graubunden - CH), where Latin derived languages melt
with German ones.
The first engraved rocks were discovered in 1965, during
the building of an iron electricity framework. The engraved
rocks show not very large limestone surfaces polished
by the glaciers during the last glacial period. All the
engravings have been executed by pecking. It is possible
to recognize the dots, mostly very large.
Engravings.
Carschenna engravings are mainly characterized by concentric
circles and cup-marks. Also riding scenes and schematic
horses are well present. Ten engraved rocks are known:
the best preserved surfaces were probably underground.
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Cup-marks are usually surrounded by 1 to 9 circles. On the rock
n. 7 we can find also spirals. Cup - marks are often related by
long channels. On the rock n. 3 (picture above) we can find a
solar representation. All the engraved rocks are under a thick
wood of fir-trees.
Superimpositions.
Schematic horses and riding scenes are very similar to the Valcamonica
ones. In Valcamonica (Alps) they are currently dated to the first
Iron Age (VIII-VII century b.C.), by comparisons with decorated
pottery and by the fact that in this region the horse was not
ridden before this period. At Carschenna schematic horses cover
concentric circles: so concentric circles are more ancient, and
must be dated to the Bronze Age.
Regarding cup-marks and grooves, it must be noticed that long
grooves relied with cup-marks often cut concentric circles So
cup-marks and grooves are more recent, probably first Iron Age.
The same occurs at Grosio Rupe Magna (Valtellina), where cup-marks
and grooves cover Bronze Age and first Iron Age human figures.
Phases.
Finally we can distinguish at least between three phases, in order:
- concentric circles
with central dot and spirals;
- schematic horses;
- grooves and cup-marks.
Interpretation.
Carschenna concentric circles are identical to the Pontevedra
(Spain) and to the Scottish ones. Likenesses can't be casuals,
so they probably belong to the same culture. In the Alps we can
find concentric circles in Valcenischia (Western Alps) and at
Sonico (Valcamonica). At Sonico they are covered by little shovels
of the first Iron Age. Carschenna engravings are not easy to interpret.
Some scholars suggest a topographic key. They were studied by
C. Zindel and G. C. Borgna.
Imaging.
The pictures have been taken with daily grazing light, obtained
with sun and mirrors. Slides have been scanned by a slide transparency
scanner.
More Carschenna
- Concentric circles
- Schematic horses and riding
scenes
References
1. ZINDEL C., 1970. Incisioni
rupestri a Carschenna, in Valcamonica Symposium,
1968, pp. 135-142, Capo di Ponte
2. BORGNA G. C. 1980. L'arte rupestre preistorica nell'Europa
occidentale, Pinerolo
3. ARCA' A. - FOSSATI A., 1995. Sui sentieri dell'arte rupestre,
pp. 103-107, Torino
Sui Sentieri dell'arte rupestre
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