Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan

Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan

The Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan is a cultural heritage site protected at the provincial level in Jiangsu Province.

Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan (Yuan Dynasty)

The Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan is located in Yishan Town, Guanyun County, Lianyungang City. It consists of three sika deer petroglyph sites: the Sika Deer Petroglyph at Dashawei, the Sika Deer Petroglyph at Daguilao Mountain, and the Sika Deer Petroglyph at Xiaoshaowei.

(1) Sika Deer Petroglyph at Dashawei. Located on the northwest side of Dashawei at Dayishan, about 30 meters northwest of the Sika Deer Petroglyph at Dayishan. The petroglyph is 120 cm wide and 30 cm high, carved in intaglio lines. Its main subject is a running deer depicted in a looking-back posture, conveying a lively attitude. The deer image itself is 0.2 meters in both height and width. To the west of the deer carving is a rectangular frame, 0.15 meters high and 0.05 meters wide, resembling a stele, containing four characters “Fang Shan □□” in regular script, now faint and unclear. To the west of the frame is an image of a structure, 0.75 meters long and 0.3 meters wide. Judging from the overall composition, the petroglyph was likely used for cliff worship and praying for blessings. The deer has no antlers, suggesting it may be either a young deer or a female.

(2) Sika Deer Petroglyph at Daguilao Mountain. Located on the upper northern part of Daguilao Mountain, on the cliff above Jinguiling, the petroglyph faces the southeast. It is 10 cm wide and 15 cm high, carved in intaglio with double lines. The deer’s head is turned southwest, standing and looking back, covered in spots, and positioned facing the deer in the Dayishan Sika Deer Petroglyph.

(3) Sika Deer Petroglyph at Xiaoshaowei. Located on the southern side of Xiaoshaowei at Dayishan, 30 meters west of Shifo Temple. The entire petroglyph is carved in intaglio, depicting a dynamic scene composed of a moving sika deer, flying birds, and flowers. The sika deer is 33 cm long and 40 cm high, shown in a walking-and-looking-back posture, with tall, forked antlers on its head and seven circular spots distributed across its body representing the deer’s markings. The bird is 12 cm long and 12 cm high, shown in flight with wings spread. The floral elements are spread throughout the scene, including one blooming flower.

The Group of Sika Deer Petroglyphs at Dayishan, dating to the Yuan Dynasty, is rarely found locally and holds significant value for the study of the region’s historical culture and folklore during that period.

Yishan Town: Overview of Yishan Town: Yishan Town is situated at the foot of Dayishan, a national 3A-level scenic area. It covers a total area of 76.75 square kilometers and governs 19 village committees and 12 neighborhood committees. The year-end total population is 152,686, with a male-to-female ratio of 110:100. The birth rate is 13.8%, the death rate is 6.4‰, and the natural growth rate is 7.4‰. Major local products include wheat, rice, and watermelon.

1. Honors Received at the County Level or Above Annually. National Green Township, National Advanced Unit of Mass Sports, Jiangsu Province’s Top 100 Famous Towns, Jiangsu Civilization Town, Jiangsu Sports Powerhouse... Detailed Information on Yishan Town++

Further Reading:

· Fifth Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Lianyungang City

· Fourth Batch of Provincial-Level Cultural Heritage Protection Units in Jiangsu Province