Tassili n'Ajjer, Archaeological and national park site in Illizi Province, Algeria
Tassili n'Ajjer is a high plateau in southeastern Algeria that spreads across large parts of Illizi and Djanet provinces, formed from sandstone layers carved by wind and erosion. The rock faces create natural walls and gorges where thousands of drawings and carvings appear across the entire landscape.
The oldest artworks on the rock faces date back around 10,000 years when the region had a wetter climate and was inhabited by hunters. Later carvings show the shift to herding and eventually the desert expansion that changed life in the area.
The rock paintings depict daily life from different periods when the region had green pastures and supported herding communities who left behind images of their animals and ceremonies. Visitors today can see these artworks on protected cliff faces that reveal how people adapted to changing conditions.
Access to the rock walls follows marked paths that often pass through narrow passages and over sandy sections. A local guide is required to find the routes and follow the park protection rules.
Across the plateau grow cypress trees that belong to the oldest tree species in the region and survive only in a few protected gorges within this dry environment. Some natural basins hold water after rare rains, providing habitat for small fish populations and other animals.
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