Boyar Petroglyphs (Pisanitsa)

Boyar Petroglyphs are a set of six petroglyphic sites including, among others, Great Boyar Petroglyph (which is the most popular among tourists), Small Boyar Petroglyph, etc. The petroglyphs are called Boyar due to the Boyary Ridge situated on the left bank of the Krasnoyarsk Reservoir. Further, the Boyar Petroglyphsare part of a large group of rock art sites Boyary—Abakano-Perevoz. Such a concentration of rock art images indicates significant activity by the ancient population in the region and reflects advanced cultural traditions involving the creation of important images on the rocks.

The most well-known images of the Great and Small Boyar Petroglyphs are “villages” of the Early Iron Age (the Tes stage of the Tagar culture, the 3rd century BC to the beginning of the 1st century AD). On large frieze surfaces, dwellings are depicted—such as felt tents, log frames, and even a mud house uncommon for this area—as well as anthropomorphic figures (some mounted), livestock including goats, sheep, and bulls, and household items like kettles, barrels, and more. We can reliably date the images by kettles having particular shapes, as well as complex bow held by a character. Deer, some shown with arrows in their backs, are depicted outside the settlement. Scholars have not reached a consensus on whether the compositions from the Boyar Petroglyph depict a real village or a mythological “ancestor village.”

Among the “residents” of the village, a human figure—possibly a shaman or deity—with hands raised upward can be seen, surrounded by large pecks. This can be an image of a man standing in rain or snow, or a deity bestowing joy.

Location:  Russia, Republic of Khakassia, Bogradsky District

The archeological studies began in:  The petroglyphs were discovered in 1904 by A.V. Adrianov. During the Soviet period, they were studied by M.P. Gryaznov, S.V. Kiselev,and M.A. Devlet. Object is still in regular studing.

Human species:  The end of the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD (Early Iron Age)

Study history

Large and Small Boyar Petroglyphs were discovered in 1904 by researcher and educator A.V. Adrianov. In the early 1930s, archaeologist M.P. Gryaznov made the first trace drawings of the images from the Small Petroglyph. He was also the first to analyze the social structure of the community that created these images. In the early 1950s, archeologist S.V. Kiselev published the detailed description of petroglyphs with focus on the house structures. Large-scale study of the petroglyphs began in the 1960–1970s within the work headed by M.A. Devlet.

She published the first and only monograph on the site, paying special attention to the connection between the images and religious activities. Since the 1980s, systematic study of the petroglyphs has been ongoing, including with the participation of the Institute of Archeology and Ethnography of the SB RAS. New images continue to be discovered, and existing ones are being further detailed.

Most well-known images

Petroglyphs depicting an Early Iron Age settlement, various dwellings.

• Boyar Petroglyphs (Pisanitsa). Great Russian Encyclopedia, 2023 (In Russ.)

• Problems of Reconstruction of Tagar Houses in the Khakas-Minusinsk Hollow.Bulletin of Tomsk State University, 2018 (In Russ.)

• Great Boyar Petroglyph (Pisanitsa), 1976 (In Russ.)