Saharan Rock Art

Saharan
Rock Art

Engravings and paintings on rock surfaces found in the Tassili Plateau in modern Algeria.
Over 30,000 sites have been discovered.
Rock art indicates that there has been human habitation in the Sahara from 8,000 B.P.

Paintings and Engravings categorized into 4 periods:

1. Archaic/Bubalus period: 8,000-7,000 BP

Engraving of an Elephant

Characteristics:

Large scale animals incised and engraved on rock surfaces.
Very naturalist representations of large animals: elephants, buffalo, hippos, giraffes, antelopes, etc..
Many of the animals represented are now extinct.

2. Pastoral Period: 6,000-2200 BP

Herdsman and Cattle

Painting depicting cattle.

Characteristics:

Smaller scale paintings done with red ochre and white pigments.
Depictions of cattle with humans.
Characterized by accuracy of details.
Men with weapons are common.

3. Horse Period: 3,200-1,200 BP

Divided into two phases:

A. Chariot sub-period

Painting depicing humans and animals with chariots.

Horse-drawn chariot.

Characteristics:

Human figures become bi-triangular.
Head size shrinks.
Small weapons and horse-drawn chariots appear.

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This website was created and modified by Cynthia Becker, Bolaji Campbell and Janine Sytsma with Professor Henry Drewal. It was last modified August 31st, 2007.
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