Photo Gallery

1 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Period of the "round heads". "The great god" is part of a fresco that quickly became famous. Figures and animals appear to move within a magical scene. This is confirmed by the location where they are found. From elbow to elbow: 0.90 m.

3 - Tin-Tazarift (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Slender archer from the bovine period. As is often the case, the arrows are carried in a "bundle," and one arrow has just been released by the archer.

3 - Tin-Tazarift (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – (original photo) Slender archer from the bovine period. As is often the case, the arrows are carried in a "bundle," and one arrow has just been released by the archer.

8 - Tassirés. Oued Tilemsane (Aïr). – Horse epoch. Animals with very schematic lines. The bovine is well rendered, however. There are likely more recent inscriptions in Tifinar. The ox is 0.90 m long.

9 - Tassirés. Oued Tilemsane (Aïr). – Horse epoch. Numerous horses, graffiti, Tifinars, and a large figure, possibly a woman. As is often the case, the eyes are not carved but are formed by using natural cavities. The height of the woman is 1.60 m. Also noteworthy is the contrast between the quality of the engraving of the horses and the notable clumsiness of the ostriches.

10 - Tassirés. Oued Tilemsane (Aïr). – Horse epoch. The central figure has a "ant-head" typical of this period when warriors dominated more than hunters. Note the costume and the appendages on the head, which may not be feathers. The height of the figure from the top of the antennae to the feet: 1.50 m.

11 - Tassirés. Oued Tilemsane (Aïr). – Horse epoch. This large figure also wears a robe, whose engraving highlights a sort of crenellation. Noteworthy are the two small hemispherical protrusions at the bottom, on the right and left. From feet to head: 1.60 m.

12 - Heraoui (Aïr). – Horse epoch. The riders on three well-identifiable horses are depicted as "body-men." The horse on the left measures 0.35 m from the croup to the muzzle.

16 - Agalala (Aïr). - Various periods, particularly Camel Period. This type of document is typical of the edges of paths that have been used for a long time. Height of the rock: 2 m.

20 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Wall overloaded with graffiti. While the figures from the Horse Period are identifiable, the rest makes little sense. Note an axe at the top, in the center.

23 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Horse Period. A figure without a weapon, carrying an indeterminate round object on the left arm. Decoration on the central part of the body. From the top of the feathers to the base of the feet: 1.10 m.

29 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Very schematic stippled engravings. The central figure does not clearly evoke equids. To its right, a figure with a bi-triangular garment and a head in an inverted U-shape. The central figure is 0.70 m tall.

30 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Figures with "ant head" (equids) set against a background of animals (domesticated?). Note the spears and round shields. The animals measure between 0.30 and 0.40 m in height.

31 - Tagueït moyen (Aïr). - Figures from the horse era. One might wonder what the multiple forms of the heads, oversized in relation to the body, correspond to. Then, note the individuals with a bi-triangular coat, those with a straight coat, and those whose legs are visible up to the thighs. The tallest measures 0.50 m.

39 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – Archer of the horse period and a young horse. Clumsy punctuating. The bow measures 0.50 m in length.

45 - Tanakom (Aïr). - From the same period: giraffes, ostrich, shepherd touching a bovine. The engravers were interested in all smooth surfaces.

47 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Pastoral period. Various quadrupeds. The interest lies in the two figures in the center. The one on the left would fit well in a modern art museum and does not allow for any satisfactory explanation. The one on the right may be holding a bow.

49 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Character with an "ant head" in a praying position. Small intentional character between the two larger ones. Equid period. Religious scene. The appendage between the legs may be the tail of the animal preserved on a leather tunic.

52 - Anakom (Aïr). - Equid period. Very interesting human figures belonging to the same ensemble. The volume is exaggerated for the two large figures, holding a spear and the reins of a horse in the left hand, while holding an undefined object in the right hand. At neck height, perhaps ear pendants. The small figures seem to wear puffed trousers. The hair is well visible on the side, with the faces emphasized. The head is topped with a curious ornament. The costume is highly elaborate. A camel adds a counterpoint to the age of the ensemble. There are also Tifinars, a giraffe, ostriches. The large figure on the left is 1.60 m tall. The small figure on the right: 0.78 m.

53 - Anakom (Aïr). - Equid period. Very interesting human figures belonging to the same ensemble. The volume is exaggerated for the two large figures, holding a spear and the reins of a horse in the left hand, while holding an undefined object in the right hand. At neck height, perhaps ear pendants. The small figures seem to wear puffed trousers. The hair is well visible on the side, with the faces emphasized. The head is topped with a curious ornament. The costume is highly elaborate. A camel adds a counterpoint to the age of the ensemble. There are also Tifinars, a giraffe, ostriches. The large figure on the left is 1.60 m tall. The small figure on the right: 0.78 m.

56 - Anakom (Aïr). - Figures whose main interest is to present a dress for women, a trouser suit (?) for men, all richly decorated. These equid-like figures are approximately 0.75 meters tall.

57 - Anakom (Aïr). - Figures whose main interest is to present a dress for women, a trouser suit (?) for men, all richly decorated. These equid-like figures are approximately 0.75 meters tall.

58 - Anakom (Aïr). - Figures whose main interest is to present a dress for women, a trouser suit (?) for men, all richly decorated. These equid-like figures are approximately 0.75 meters tall.

59 - Anakom (Aïr). - Figures whose main interest is to present a dress for women, a trouser suit (?) for men, all richly decorated. These equid-like figures are approximately 0.75 meters tall.

60 - Arakao (Aïr). - Interesting archer appearing to wear some kind of saroual. The fingers of the hand are clearly highlighted.

77 - Djado Region. - Two figures, probably Garamantes in leather clothing. The figure on the left holds a spear in the right hand and a shield (?) in the left hand. Height of the figures: 0.37 m.

83 - Enneri Domo, Arkana site. - Bitriangular characters. These representations differ from those referred to as "ant-head" (84). The costume is tight at the waist, and its decorations are no longer visible. The head is reduced to a circle with a dotted interior, and its ornaments are limited to a few lines. Photo 83 - : The distance between the hands is 1.22 meters. Photo 84: The character on the left measures 0.54 meters in height, from the head ornaments to the feet.

84 - Enneri Domo, Arkana site. - Bitriangular characters. These representations differ from those referred to as "ant-head" (84 - ). The costume is tight at the waist, and its decorations are no longer visible. The head is reduced to a circle with a dotted interior, and its ornaments are limited to a few lines. Photo 83: The distance between the hands is 1.22 meters. Photo 84 - : The character on the left measures 0.54 meters in height, from the head ornaments to the feet.

86 - Enneri Domo, Arkana site. - Chariot period. Ostrich, oxen, giraffe; tifinars, sheep or goats. On the cart, whose wheels with four spokes are depicted in a "flattened" manner, the central yoke ends in a small crossbar. The floor is reduced to a flat triangle. The rock has a height of 1.77 meters.

92 - Enneri Blaka. Site 1. - Mural depicting a procession of figures painted in red ochre, ranging from 0.10 to 0.20 m in height. The heads, resembling an inverted U or a canine snout, recall those already seen in the Air. One cannot help but think of a ritual dance.

119 - Enneri Blaka. Site 10. - Pastoral period (?). This fresco decorates the ceiling of the rock shelter at Site 10. It primarily depicts bovids and human figures. Two of them are mounted on an ox. The width of the depicted ceiling section is 2.05 meters.

121 - Enneri Blaka. Site 10. - Another view of the ceiling painted in the pastoral period. The presence of a large herd of bovids does not exclude wild animals such as the elephant, which appears here in a red color. The bovids are white. An ox is ridden by a figure, which seems (?) to guide it with a rope. The elephant measures 0.41 meters in length.

122 - Enneri Blaka. Site 10. - A mounted, white ox. The painting style is very homogeneous. Notice the feather on the rider's headdress. From the tip of the tail to the snout: 0.225 meters.

126 - Enneri Blaka. Site 11. - On top of an engraved giraffe are two (?) unidentified quadrupeds. A man stands at the back and touches the tail of one of them.

171 - Oued Mathendous. In Habeter III. - Period of the "bubale." Elephant lifting (?) a man with its trunk. Block width: 1.40 m.

326 - Aouanrhet (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Very slender figures. Very schematic white paintings. The figure in front holds two sticks on one shoulder and a hook (a hoe?) in the other hand. Behind him, an archer seems to be chasing him, but perhaps they are both heading in the same direction in pursuit of game. The left figure measures 0.19 m in height.

326 - Aouanrhet (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - (original photo) Very slender figures. Very schematic white paintings. The figure in front holds two sticks on one shoulder and a hook (a hoe?) in the other hand. Behind him, an archer seems to be chasing him, but perhaps they are both heading in the same direction in pursuit of game. The left figure measures 0.19 m in height.

352 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Engraved warrior inspired by the previous engraving. However, the head this time is that of a cynocephalus (dog-headed figure). The legs are well-rendered. The belt consists of six lines. The bow is held by its wood in the left hand. Curiously, only the toes of the left foot are engraved. The man is followed by a dog.

354 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Engraved subjects of different ages; the ungulate on the right is thus "accidentally" facing a figure engraved with a lighter stroke, probably wearing a loincloth.

376 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer, Tin-Smad region). - Other giraffes engraved with different coats. At the top right, a dressed and bent figure.

397 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Nevertheless, the legends grafted onto ancient myths have never ceased to be in circulation. More than a theriocephalus, the figure shown here evokes a devil and refers to a hundred legends about the "djinn."

413 - Jabbaren (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Pastoral scene, painted in red ochre. Below, schematically, a hunting scene is depicted. The figures at the top are dressed in "tunics." Width of the scene depicted: 1.10 m.

414 - Jabbaren (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Curious ochre painting with beings having very "puffed-up" hair, as is occasionally encountered. Some of them seem to be touching it. Some of the figures are seated. Width of the rock: 0.74 m.

443 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A figure with a "round head," drawn in black paint, partially erased. The figure holds a stick in its right hand. The left arm is firmly extended to the right. The feet are no longer visible. Height of the figure: 0.70 m.

457 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Negroid figures painted in red ochre, in the same style as the animals in photo 456.

484 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - “Tarzan”! Here we remain in the mythical, without knowing what the creators of these white paintings intended to tell us. The large figure on the right has powerful arms. To his left, a woman identified by her breasts raises her arms in the air. The individual preceding her holds a striped structure. Other paintings are even less identifiable. Chest width of the “gorilla”: 0.29 m.

494 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - On the left, a white-painted circle with a diameter of 0.32 m. Numerous animals and figures in the "round head" style. Everything is executed in white paint.

502 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Extraordinary bust of a character lavishly dressed with a kind of hat with a crest and well-dressed. The features are distinctly human. There is a fresco of similar individuals in Jabbaren. The women of this group do not wear this hairstyle.

511 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Pastoral scene. Figures engaged in their tasks amidst a herd of cows with very varied coats. Above, crouching figures and an unidentifiable structure. Below, another figure with moving arms. The animal above him measures 0.17 m in length, from the forehead to the back leg.

517 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - The man with the axe, treated in red ochre, gives us insight into one of the confirmed uses of stone axes found in the Sahara. From feet to axe: 0.18 m.

518 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – "The Conversation". Painting in red ochre. The woman sitting on the left, with her knees folded under her, faces a seated figure, whose right leg is stretched out, and the left is folded beneath. An extraordinary intimate character to the scene. The woman on the left is 0.14 m tall.

519 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Pastoral scene painted in red ochre and white paint. Two groups of seated individuals are talking in pairs. On the right, an oval white structure may represent a dwelling. Below, a procession of cattle. The figure on the extreme left is 0.19 m tall.

520 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Painting in ochre. The outer feet of the two figures on the right and left: 0.68 m wide.

534 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Curious figures painted in ochre. In the center, a horn (possibly an elephant tusk?). The figure with an oversized neck is 0.17 m high.

535 - Séfar (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Strange painting connecting an animal's rear end to a human torso. Width of the belly: 0.09 m.

545 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - On a vertical rocky platform, a pastoral scene painted in ochre, consisting solely of Negroid figures, well attested by their morphology. Height of the panel: 1.85 m.

546 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A large three-legged ox in a scene painted with dark red ochre. In fact, it seems that for some unknown reason, the right leg remains unfinished. The horns are bent back on the head. Below, a "round-headed" figure holds a bow.

Maximilien Bruggmann photographing the preceding rock painting in Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer).

549 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Ochre painting showing a man activating the walk of an ox heading to the right. Above, a figure and another ox are also going in the same direction. For the ox below, from the posterior right hoof to the anterior left hoof: 0.30 m.

551 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Negroid archers running to the right, their head profile resembling that of a dog. The figure in the center-left has a dark red circle on their head.

552 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Beautiful painted scene, with a figure seated at the top, whose head is replaced by a dash that represents only its central part (the head was surrounded by a light yellow painted hairstyle, of which only traces remain). The tunic wraps around the figure. The left hand is at the end of an arm resting on the knee. In the right hand, an undefined object is extended toward a hemispherical shape (perhaps a bag). To the left, a large standing figure. Below, a person dressed in a strip loincloth carries a basket (?) on their arm. Lower right, another unclear scene. The large figure is 0.50 m tall.

553 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Very important painted scene, showing a "flying gallop" chariot drawn by two drivers and another person. The driver at the top center holds six reins that are not aligned with the (or the) yoke. Below, in the center, another indistinct driver holds two reins. Eight reins should correspond to four horses... but only one is visible! Other individuals are also seen, along with a dog running beside the chariot. The dog measures 0.16 m in length and fits into a panel 0.83 m wide.

554 - Tin-Aboteka (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A tall figure wearing loose clothing and a hieratic attitude. He seems to be uncovering his head (?). He is 0.45 m tall. Next to him on the right, and therefore on his left, is another figure that is difficult to identify.

561 - Tin-Tazarift (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A large figure painted in dark ochre, overlaid by a white painted mouflon, followed by another coming from the left. The importance of this wild ruminant in the "round heads" animal park is surprising.

594 - Tin-Kani (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – A "positive" hand missing the thumb. Above, two archers aiming to the right. Painting in ochre.

597 - Tin-Kani (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – A hunter with a bow and arrows in front of the carcass of a slain animal (?). The height of the painting is 0.16 m.

604 - In ltinen (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Three white and two black figures form, with a large cow, a beautiful pastoral scene. The central figure extends a hand towards an open crescent. Facing them, the counterpart holds an object hanging from a rope. Finally, the third figure, on the left, offers a bowl.

605 - In ltinen (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Chariot painted in dark red ochre, two horses in "flying gallop." In fact, it is the chariot that appears to be flying above the horses due to a frequent perspective error. This brings the yoke above the animals. A second axle with its wheels is located behind the chariot.

621 - Tin-Messeous (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Pastoral scene painted in brown ochre. Still the “dash-shaped heads”. Thanks to them, their costumes, their stances, and their armament, we could now write the story of their group, knowing that they themselves depicted themselves. This also applies to the “round heads,” which are well individualized and associated with beliefs that elude us. Thus, rock art represents an important part of prehistory and protohistory. Therefore, it is crucial to link the material remains to the engraved or painted works of art. Width of the depiction: 0.94 m.

622 - Tin-Messeous (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A figure with a "dash head", whose tunic appears to be supported by straps, turning the garment into a skirt. Ochre-colored figurative painting: 0.28 m.

632 - Yeï Loulou Yoga (Niger). - Engraving through complete pecking. On the left, a Sudanese Sloughi. In the center, a traditionally dressed Tuareg with spear, shield, and a cord hanging between the legs. On the right, an armed, mounted dromedary. Note the head ornaments of the animal.

638 - Bardai (Tibesti). - Pastoral scene combining figures and bovids. Each individual is equipped with some sort of sickle. The curvature does not suggest that it is a "boomerang."

647 - Enneri Direnao (Tibesti). - The "Lancer." Coarse dotting that still conveys the figure's stance, with three feathers (?) on the head, a short tunic, and a belt. From the top of the central feather to the feet: 0.49 m.

648 - Enneri Direnao (24 km from Bardaï, Tibesti). - Lancer, drawn from a photo by Maximilien Bruggmann. Note the disproportion of the spear, whose iron is larger than the man's body. The spear measures 0.50 m.

648 - Enneri Direnao (24 km from Bardaï, Tibesti). - (original photo) Lancer, drawn from a photo by Maximilien Bruggmann. Note the disproportion of the spear, whose iron is larger than the man's body. The spear measures 0.50 m.

649 - Enneri Direnao (Tibesti). - Another lancer between two bovines. His costume resembles that of the Swiss Guard! The spear is oversized, and his abdomen is reduced to a line. He has not only three feathers on his head but also "appendages" hanging from his ears. From the top of the central feather to the feet: 0.27 m.

660 - Gonoa (Tibesti). - Giraffes engraved with long, fine lines. The insides of the legs and heads are polished. The legs of the animal on the right are oversized. A small figure and various animals are visible between the two giraffes. From the hump of the back of the largest giraffe to the level of the legs: 0.94 m.