The Huashan Rock Art paintings, dated between the 5th century BCE and 2nd century CE, are believed to have been created by the Luoyue people, ancestors of today's Zhuang ethnic group. These paintings provide a valuable insight into the life, culture, and religious beliefs of the people who lived in the area during this period.
The most impressive paintings are located on Mount Huashan, the highest peak in the region. The rock faces here are adorned with over 1,800 red pictographs that span approximately 200 meters in length and up to 40 meters in height. These red paintings have been made with a mixture of hematite and animal glue, which has surprisingly resisted the ravages of time and weather.
The depictions range from human figures to animals and geometric patterns. Most notable are the large human figures believed to represent chieftains or gods. The pictographs also depict a variety of animals such as dogs, horses, and birds, as well as scenes that depict hunting and other rituals.
There are various hypotheses about the purpose of these paintings. While some suggest they were made for ritualistic or religious purposes, others propose they might be related to narrating the community's history or establishing territorial claims.
