The Significance of Taonaigaole Handprint Rock Art in the Prairie Zone of Northern China

Yang Chao

Abstract:Based on the Taonaigaole handprint rock art in Alashan Youqi of Inner Mongolia,this paper compares the location,color,scene,accompanying subject matter and time of some major handprint rock art in the world, and concludes that the Taonaigaole handprint rock art have their own unique characteristics,which are different from those of other parts of the world and also in southern China.They are the products of rituals preserved for the nomadic hunting life in the northern grasslands.

Key words:Taonaigaole;Handprint Rock Art;The uniqueness