The Iconographic Genealogy and Cultural Space Reconstruction of Newly Discovered Rock Art in the Ili River Valley on the Northern Route of the Silk Road

As a key geographical unit in the heart of the Eurasian continent, the Ili River Valley has long served as a pivotal hub where Eastern and Western civilisations converge. Drawing upon four newly discovered rock art sites in the Ili River Valley and incorporating the latest data from microerosion dating techniques, this paper systematically examines the iconographic genealogy and cultural spatial attributes of the region’s rock art. The research reveals that the rock art of the Ili River Valley shares profound affinities with the Saka and the Wusun culture in terms of iconographic motifs and stylistic features. Its spatial distribution strictly adheres to the seasonal transhumance dictated by vertical zonation; consequently, the rock art sites serve as silent landmarks through which ancient pastoralists constructed social memory and asserted territorial claims at key ecological niches. These rock paintings are not merely artistic expressions, but also crucial physical evidence for understanding early cultural exchanges and ethnic interactions along the Northern Silk Road.