TEHRAN – Experts on Sunday discussed strategies and methods for protecting the historical, cultural, and natural landscape of Teymareh, which is home to thousands of petroglyphs.

The Tehran meeting, titled “The Historical, Cultural, and Natural Landscape of Teymareh: A Heritage at Risk,” brought together a number of cultural heritage and archaeology experts, CHTN reported.

In Iran, the earliest known petroglyphs can be found in Teymareh, some of which date back 7,000 years. Teymareh is home to more than 20,000 petroglyphs spread across an area of 150 square kilometers.

Situated at the intersection of the headwaters of the Anarbar River, between the cities of Mahallat, Khomein, and Golpayegan, Teymareh's mysterious rock paintings can be found in the provinces of Markazi, Lorestan, and Isfahan.

The carved figures in Teymareh range from abstract to realistic, and they include depictions of animals and plants. Animal figures are predominant, especially goats with large, pointed horns. Other animals depicted include feliforms, canids, horses, dromedaries, owls, fish, tigers, cows, and birds such as storks, hoopoes, and partridges. Plant figures include cedar, pine, and wheat. There are also images of martial arts, magic dances, pregnant women, camel caravans, and people with large hands.

AM