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See the Ancient Algerian Art of Tassili n'Ajjer
Published by Shujauddin Razmi, Writer
Country: Algeria 
The Experience
If you're planning to visit Algeria then beeline it Tassili n'Ajjer in the Sahara Desert, a prominent mountain range harboring rock art and engravings dating back more than 8,000 years. Over seventeen thousand engravings and cave paintings have been discovered so far. These cave paintings beautifully depict ancient life and show just how different life was in the Sahara Desert thousands of years ago. Tassili National Park is a gigantic plateau bordered by Mali, Niger and Libya; spread over 72,000 sq. km. The discovery of the cave art—and the outstanding density of engravings and paintings—are true authentications of history. These cave paintings and engravings are of such an excellent artisan nature that they are a UNESCO world heritage site.
The uniqueness of Tassili n'Ajjer lies in its sandstone and sedimentary rock composition. Erosions over thousands of years on these rocks have formed caves, rock shelters, overhanging cliffs and arches. Some Tassili n'Ajjer cave paintings, which are very popular can be found in Plateau of Dider and Wadi Djerat. They include giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros, buffalos and hippopotamuses.
Different paintings strengthen the theory that Tassili n'Ajjer in the Sahara was once shelter for many people. The cave paintings testify to the different transformations of human development and climate changes they endured. You can clearly see the relationship between the environment and human life, despite the age of the art. Tassili n'Ajjer is not the only place where these rock paintings and engravings can be found, but to its favour, it is also famous for the sheer number of myths and legends associated with it awe inspiring arches.
Geologists are attracted to the Tassili n'Ajjer landscape because the engravings and cave paintings can be divided into four important eras. Geologists describe the first period as “camel tradition” which existed during the time of Christ with creatures that were found first in North Africa. The second period includes “horse traditions” from about BC 200, as these animals first appeared in North Africa. The third period stretches between BC 4,500 and BC 4,000 when Bovidian tradition developed and domestic animals came into existence in North Africa. The fourth and last period is known as the archaic tradition and relates to when the existence of animals was unknown.
Entry to the site is only possible when you take a Tassili n'Ajjer tour and have an official guide with you. Other Tassili National Park tourist attractions include Illizi and In Amenas, but they are not as famous as Tassili n'Ajjer due to its wonderful rock art with prehistoric human stories perfectly preserved.
The uniqueness of Tassili n'Ajjer lies in its sandstone and sedimentary rock composition. Erosions over thousands of years on these rocks have formed caves, rock shelters, overhanging cliffs and arches. Some Tassili n'Ajjer cave paintings, which are very popular can be found in Plateau of Dider and Wadi Djerat. They include giraffes, elephants, rhinoceros, buffalos and hippopotamuses.
Different paintings strengthen the theory that Tassili n'Ajjer in the Sahara was once shelter for many people. The cave paintings testify to the different transformations of human development and climate changes they endured. You can clearly see the relationship between the environment and human life, despite the age of the art. Tassili n'Ajjer is not the only place where these rock paintings and engravings can be found, but to its favour, it is also famous for the sheer number of myths and legends associated with it awe inspiring arches.
Geologists are attracted to the Tassili n'Ajjer landscape because the engravings and cave paintings can be divided into four important eras. Geologists describe the first period as “camel tradition” which existed during the time of Christ with creatures that were found first in North Africa. The second period includes “horse traditions” from about BC 200, as these animals first appeared in North Africa. The third period stretches between BC 4,500 and BC 4,000 when Bovidian tradition developed and domestic animals came into existence in North Africa. The fourth and last period is known as the archaic tradition and relates to when the existence of animals was unknown.
Entry to the site is only possible when you take a Tassili n'Ajjer tour and have an official guide with you. Other Tassili National Park tourist attractions include Illizi and In Amenas, but they are not as famous as Tassili n'Ajjer due to its wonderful rock art with prehistoric human stories perfectly preserved.
When to Go to Tassili N'ajjer
Odds n' Ends
Algeria is a country where you really need your own vehicle as most public transportation is of no use. While visiting the cave art of Tassili n'Ajjer do not expect any food services because the whole area is a desert.
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