Magharet el-Qantara, Prehistoric rock art cave in New Valley Governorate, Egypt.
Magharet el-Qantara is a rock shelter with prehistoric art in Egypt's New Valley region. The shelter extends roughly 60 meters and holds around 135 distinct figures painted on its walls using red, yellow, white, and black pigments.
Archaeological evidence shows that people inhabited this location and created art there over roughly 9,000 years during prehistoric times. This long timespan demonstrates that this place held importance for many successive generations.
The paintings show animals and human figures that reveal how people lived and interacted with their surroundings here. You can see how important hunting and community life were by observing the images on the walls.
The shelter is located in a remote area, so visitors should plan ahead and coordinate with local guides. It helps to prepare for sandy paths and allow adequate time for the journey into the Western Desert region.
Beneath the ancient artwork, an underground river flows whose water you can hear through the rock formations. This hidden water source shaped the valley over millennia and made it possible for people to settle in this place.
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