Rock art of the Djelfa region, Prehistoric rock art site in Djelfa Region, Algeria
The rock art of the Djelfa region comprises over 1,000 engravings scattered across multiple caves in the Saharan Atlas Mountains, depicting ancient animals and human activities. The gravings vary widely in subject and style, creating a rich visual record from prehistoric times.
These artworks date from Neolithic times and were first identified by archaeologists in 1850. Major exploration efforts in the early 1900s brought systematic documentation and a deeper understanding of this ancient record.
The engravings show scenes of daily life including hunting and animal herding, revealing how early people lived and worked. Visitors can see how these pictures tell stories about the changing ways of survival in ancient times.
Visiting these sites requires guided tours through mountainous terrain with permits arranged beforehand and transportation organized in advance. Local guides are necessary to locate the engravings safely and explain what you are seeing.
One of the most noted engravings is the 'Apollo of Ouled Naïl', a figure that stands out for its careful craftsmanship and unusual proportions compared to other works at the site. This engraving belongs to a distinct artistic tradition that researchers call the Hartebeest school.
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