Rock Paintings in Lesotho: Site Characteristics

Characteristics of rock painting sites that have been recorded by the ARAL Project in four areas in Lesotho are examined. Site distribution is correlated with aspects of the physical environment such as altitude, geology and distance from water. Preferences with respect to exposure, location, aspect, dimensions and spacing are investigated. The occurrence of other cultural remains in the sites is noted and the relative importance of sites in terms of the number of paintings per site is assessed. Differences in subject matter between the four study areas are analysed and attention is drawn to the resulting contrast between east and west Lesotho.