Saharan rock art

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Saharan rock art is located in Africa
Tassili n'Ajjer
Tassili n'Ajjer
Tibesti
Tibesti
Ennedi
Ennedi
Messak
Messak
Tadrart
Tadrart
Sabu-Jaddi
Sabu-Jaddi
Adrar Plateau
Adrar Plateau
Gilf Kebir
Gilf Kebir
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Significant Saharan rock art locations
Manda Guéli Cave in the Ennedi Mountains, northeastern Chad

Saharan rock art is a significant area of

Sahara desert. The rock art dates from numerous periods starting c. 12,000 years ago, and is significant because it shows the culture
of ancient African societies.

The paintings and carvings of the Sahara are endangered, and vulnerable rock art on uncovered rock has already disappeared. Organizations, such as the Trust for African Rock Art,[1] are researching and recording as much information about Saharan rock art as possible, while raising awareness of threats to the art itself.

Archaeological sites

Important regions and sites include:

  • Cave of Swimmers and Cave of Beasts caves area, Gilf Kebir area, Egypt
  • Nile Valley. Large animal engravings and other rock art dates to between 12,000 and 4,000 years ago.[3]
  • Ennedi, Chad: Next to the Tibesti Mountain chain is another mountain chain named Ennedi. Much of the rock art in this area is from the Horse Period, and was made in the last 2,000 years. Pastoral Period art was also shown here.[3]
  • Messak Settafet, Libya: Abundant rock art is found in this location, near a mountain chain in Libya. Art is made from engraving techniques such as grinding, pecking, and scratching. Outlines of animals are found in blackened sandstone.[4]
Neolithic cave paintings found in Tassili n'Ajjer (Plateau of the Chasms) region of the Sahara
  • Tadrart Acacus, Libya: Near the sand dune of Murzuk, bordering Tassili n'Ajjer, exists 12,000 year old prehistoric rock art. It appears to reflect much of the same culture as the Tassili n'Ajjer rock art.[5]
Above,Rock carving depicting a lying antelope or gazelle, located at Tin Taghirt on the Tassili n’Ajjer. Below, same rock carving depicted on the reverse of a 1992 1000 Algerian dinar banknote.

Research techniques

organic material, including radiocarbon dating. Organic artifacts found at the sites can be dated, as can some residues on the rock art itself.[7]

Rock art time periods

Rock art from the Bubalus time period in Tin Taghirt
  • Large Wild Fauna Period (12,000 BP - 6000 BP):[8] Saharan hunter-gatherer societies first made rock art. These images included animals that then lived in the area, including hippos, rhinos, elephants, giraffes, bubalus, aurochs, and large antelopes. Many of those animals no longer exist in the Sahara due to changes in climate that have caused the desiccation of the desert over the past several thousand years. Humans are shown hunting with spears and axes. The artwork portrays not only hunting, but the relationship between humans and animals. Most of the artwork can be found in Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria.[8]
  • Kel Essuf Period (9800 BP):[9] The Kel Essuf rock art tradition of engraving may have developed into the Round Head rock art tradition of painting.[10]
  • Round Head Period (9500 BP - 7000 BP):[8] Hunter-gatherers on the Tassili Plateau painted distinctive human figures with round, featureless heads.
  • Pastoral Period (7200 BP - 3000 BP):[8] During this period, humans were depicted with domesticated cattle. Pictures show cultures herding animals and hunting as well, portrayed through men holding bows. Women and children are in camps where they lived. This style is shown around the Sahara with paintings and engravings. Herders eventually migrated to the west, east, and south as Saharan climates aridified.[8]
  • Horse Period (3200 BP - 1000 BP):[8] Humans are shown with horses during this period. Paintings and few engravings have men on horses with weapons, as well as horse-drawn chariots. The people are also dressed in clothing instead of no clothing at all.[8]
  • Camel Period (3000 BP - 2000 BP):[8] This is the final period of rock art in the Sahara, with images of camels appearing. Cattle and goats are frequently included in Camel Period art as well. Advanced weaponry is depicted, including pictures of men with spears, swords, and shields.[8]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Trust for African Rock Art (TARA)".
  2. ^ "Tibesti | mountains, Africa". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2016-12-12.
  3. ^ a b "Rock Art of Chad - Trust for African Rock Art". Trust for African Rock Art. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  4. ^ Temehu.com. "The Rock Engravings of Messak Settafet & Mellet". www.temehu.com. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  5. ^ Temehu.com. "Tadrart Acacus (Akakus or Akakous)". www.temehu.com. Retrieved 2016-12-14.
  6. ^ Coulson, David; Campbell, Alec. "Rock Art of the Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria" (PDF). AfricanRockArt.org.
  7. ^ "Prehistoric African Paintings and Engravings". Trust for African Rock Art. Retrieved 2016-11-02.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i Coulson, David; Campbell, Alec. "Rock Art of the Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria" (PDF). AfricanRockArt.org.
  9. doi:10.1016/j.jaridenv.2016.12.011
    .
  10. ISBN 9781443845793
    .
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