Reflections on the comparative studies of petroglyphs in the Canary Islands and North Africa. El barranco de Balos (Gran Canaria, Spain) and Foum Chenna (Zagora, Marruecos)

Abstract

Petroglyphs created by ancient Canarians cultures share certain similarities with rock art panels in the nearby African continent, in terms of the subject matter of the motifs. The methodology developed to document the rock art stations at Balos (Gran Canaria) provides us with essential data to help question some of the parallels drawn with petroglyphs in Africa, such as those at Foum Chenna (Zagora, Morocco). As a result we have been able to detect differences in the graphical expressions at both locations, some in terms of the techniques applied as well as the contexts in which they are located. Les méthodes employées pour documenter les sites rupestres de Balos sur l’île de Gran Canaria ont permis d’apporter des données essentielles, permettant de revenir sur certaines comparaisons entre les gravures du nord de l’Afrique et en particulier celles de Foum Chenna (Province de Zagora, Maroc) et de mettre en lumière quelques différences de ces expressions graphiques quant à leurs techniques d’exécution, entre autres.