The Application of the Lichenometry Method to Estimate Petroglyph Ages in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan

Dating methods for rock art have traditionally been divided into two categories: traditional and scientific, both with challenges regarding accuracy. The universal appeal of rock art drives scholars to decode its imagery and underlying narratives, requiring an understanding of its origins, context, and influences. This research aims to evaluate the precision of lichenometry as a technique for dating rock art. Fieldwork conducted in 2023-2024 across several sites in the Örnök region of Kyrgyzstan spanning villages between Balykchy and Cholpon-Ata marks the first use of this method for rock art in the country. The study seeks to provide new insights and potentially challenge established dating methodologies. By applying lichenometry in this context, the research intends to refine current tools used in archaeological and historical studies, improving our understanding of the age of rock art. The results of the fieldwork are presented in the findings and conclusion sections.