INFLUENCE OF CLIMATE AND GEOGRAPHICAL FACTORS ON THE DISTRIBUTION OF ROCK ART: A COMPARATIVE GEOGRAPHICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Rock art constitutes one of the most significant archaeological records reflecting the relationship between ancient human societies and their natural environment. This article presents a comparative analysis of the distribution of rock art across different geographical and climatic regions. The analysis is based on four selected case studies from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Spain, and South Africa, examining the influence of climatic conditions, topography, and other environmental factors on the occurrence and preservation of rock art. The findings indicate that arid and semi-arid regions exhibit the highest concentration of rock art sites and that climate serves as a crucial factor influencing both the creation and long-term preservation of rock paintings.