Tadrart Acacus, Mountain range and archaeological site in Ghat District, Libya.
Tadrart Acacus is a basaltic mountain range extending through the western Libyan desert, with peaks reaching 1506 meters high. The slopes and rock faces throughout the range contain numerous paintings that make it an important archaeological site.
The rock paintings span from about 12,000 BCE to 100 CE, showing how the region changed from hunting grounds to settlements as the climate shifted. This long record reflects the adaptation of people living through dramatic environmental changes.
The rock paintings show scenes of how people lived long ago, including music, dancing, and hunting, along with animals like elephants and giraffes that once roamed these mountains.
Reaching these mountains requires a four-wheel drive vehicle starting from Ghat, and a local guide is essential for safe navigation in this remote area. Travel during cooler months makes the desert experience more manageable.
Several natural wells like Bir Aminaner and Bir Sughd are scattered across the terrain and have served as vital water sources in this dry region. Visitors often discover these ancient springs, which have been relied upon by travelers for hundreds of years.
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