Séfar, Archaeological site in Djanet Province, Algeria.
Séfar is an archaeological site in Djanet Province, Algeria, located within the Tassili n'Ajjer mountain range near the Libyan border. The rock formations contain structures carved into the stone, along with thousands of prehistoric engravings and paintings on the surfaces of the cliffs.
A French explorer documented the site in the 1950s and brought its prehistoric artworks, dating from the Neolithic period, to international attention. The paintings and engravings were created around eight millennia ago by communities living in a then greener Sahara.
The rock paintings show scenes from daily routines and hunting practices of past societies who lived here thousands of years ago. Visitors can observe representations of human figures and animals that remain preserved on the rock walls in different ochre tones.
Visitors should expect a several-hour hike over steep and rocky paths, as no roads lead to the site. Guided tours from Djanet are necessary because the terrain is difficult to navigate and requires local knowledge.
The rock art documents a time when the Sahara was wet and animals like elephants, giraffes, and hippos roamed the region. These depictions offer a window into the ecological past of what is now desert.
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