Photo Gallery

Chapter 1: AÏR - Niger

The Aïr Mountains are famous for their rock art, which dates back to 6000 BC to 1000 AD. It is mainly found on the eastern slope of the mountain range in the transition zone to the Ténéré desert. These are mainly rock engravings made with pointed stone and possibly with metal after 1200 BC. According to the oldest depictions, this was a pastoral area, as evidenced by numerous depictions of cattle and large mammals (in particular, a five-metre-high engraving of a giraffe discovered in Dabous in 1999 is world-famous). In the 3rd millennium BC, however, desertification became noticeable and the Tuareg migrated into this region from the north. The depictions now point to war scenes showing chariots, horses and battle scenes.

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.

13 - Heraoui (Aïr). – Horse epoch. Here, the riders appear as if standing on their horses, which is a mistake by the engraver. Additionally, the two men are pushing wild antelopes in front of them, such as oryx, addax, etc. Width of the rock support: 1.60 m.

14 - Oued Tagalalat (Aïr). – Horse epoch. Emaciated cow (?). Note the vertical line in the center of the abdomen, as well as the jugular appendage and the precise depiction of the animal. From the tip of the horn to the end of the legs: 0.30 m.

14 - Oued Tagalalat (Aïr). – (original photo) Horse epoch. Emaciated cow (?). Note the vertical line in the center of the abdomen, as well as the jugular appendage and the precise depiction of the animal. From the tip of the horn to the end of the legs: 0.30 m.

15 - Oued Tagalalat (Aïr). - Despite the weakness of the engraving style, this is indeed a document from the Horse Period. The warriors, shaped like a diabolo, are equipped with spears and shields. On the right, note the exceptional beast. A hoofed animal resembling a lion (?). The head, achieved by peripheral punching, shows the two eyes in a "flat" position (diocular technique). Length of the lion: 0.30 m.

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.

17 - Agalala (Aïr). - Horse Period. Male cattle. Note the jugular appendages and the extended punching meant to represent the coat's colors. Height of the central figure, from hoof level to the middle of the back: 0.45 m.

18 - Oued Tafidet (Aïr). - A typical view of this region (landscape veiled by suspended sand in the air).

19 - Oued Tafidet (Aïr). - Giraffes from the so-called Pastoral Period. Compare with other schematic giraffes from the Horse Period found at Tagueït bas. Height of the left giraffe: 1 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.

21 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Pastoral Period? It is difficult to associate these giraffes with those from Oued Tafidet: their attribution to one style or another is difficult.

22 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Pastoral Period. An elephant, with noticeable feet and a vertical line across the middle of its belly. Another antelopine. A schematic ostrich made with a single line. Height of the elephant: 0.40 m.

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.

24 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - End of the Pastoral Period. Five highly stylized giraffes. From the head to the base of the legs of the largest giraffe: 0.95 m.

25 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Pastoral period. In the Sahel, near domesticated cattle, giraffes are not rare. Their abundance should therefore not be surprising. Remember the crumbly nature of the rocks in the Air mountains. Height of the large giraffe: 0.65 m.

26 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - The stippling aims to render the coat of an antelopine to the edge of schematism. From the horns to the legs: 0.40 m.

27 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Note the difference in style between the first three giraffes on the right and the two preceding them, and finally the one on the extreme left. The supporting block is 2.20 m wide. The rock is located at the top of a rockslide.

28 - Tagueït bas (Aïr). - Stippled giraffe and ostriches on a rockslide. Height of the rock: 0.50 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.

32 - Tagueït moyen (Aïr). - Four very schematic and very recent ostriches. The tallest is 0.37 m high.

33 - Tagueït moyen (Aïr). - Current or sub-current giraffe. Note the right-angled tail, the straight spine, and the gender still emphasized. Height: 0.32 m.

34 - Tagueït moyen (Aïr). - Two male elephants in the same very decadent style as the previous giraffes and ostriches. They appear to be from the pre-Islamic period but should be dated to the end of the pastoral period.

35 - Tagueït haut (Aïr). - Giraffes, bovids, rhinoceroses, and ostriches intertwine and overlap in this fresco, where wild species seem to dominate.

36 - Tagueït medium (Aïr). – Note the difference in patina between the two giraffes on the left, which are themselves overlain by a newer giraffe with an appendage around the neck. The hind legs are too long, like those of the two giraffes on the right. Note the isolated rhinoceros at the top, as well as the chariot, which highlights the historical character of the work engraved in "flat". The chariot's platform is not visible; finally, a lion (?) catches the attention. Chariot length: 0.52 m.

37 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – Enlargement of the belly pattern of the central giraffe in the next image. Note the combined use of punctuating and line drawing. Width of the detail: 0.35 m.

38 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – This giraffe fresco, remarkable for the work of punctuating and line engraving it required, does not date from the same period as the two figures, one of which is an archer leading the herd, and which seem much later. The main animals measure between 0.60 m and 0.80 m. The rock itself is 2.40 m long.

Maximilien Bruggmann photographing the giraffe fresco in Tagueït.

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

40 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – Punctuated elephant, very decadent. From the top of the skull to the hind leg: 0.27 m.

41 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – Small, very natural horse with an appendage hanging at the neck. The inside is fully punctuated. Although it is probably a mere coincidence, the horse is in the posture of an animal rising up. Height: 0.27 m.

42 - Tagueït high (Aïr). – Fresco depicting giraffes, an elephant, ostriches, and an ox. The important site of Tagueït does not offer any truly ancient engravings. The wildlife is still significant, but the arrival of foreign ethnic groups often makes it difficult to attribute them to a specific culture.

43 - Tanakom (Aïr). – Typical labyrinth showing the advanced peeling state of the rock in Aïr. The overhanging rock to the right, covering the slanted line in the foreground, is covered with beautiful engravings.

44 - Tanakom (Aïr). – Herd of bovines led by a shepherd. On the side, one animal is ridden, another followed by a shepherd. Work from the late pastoral period. The slab is 2.15 m long.

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

46 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Still giraffes. Their number can be explained either by the engravers' interest or by their diversity. These are very well observed. Slab height: 0.45 m.

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.

48 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Decadent giraffes. The largest measures 0.85 m in height.

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.

50 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Giraffes, graffiti. Width of the decorated surface: 1.20 m.

51 - Tanakom (Aïr). - Spotted elephant, strange schematic animals. Note the three stylized figures. Height of the elephant: 0.45 m.

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.

An overview of the two previous photos.

54 - Large fresco from Anakom (Aïr). - A well-observed rider, oryx, antelopes, ostriches, Tifinars show the continuity of mankind since the arrival of the "equids". The animal with a diamond-shaped coat is 0.47 m long. The large antelope on the right is 0.52 m long.

55 - Anakom (Aïr). - The galloping oryx stand out from many graffiti. The small horse, near a man armed with a spear and shield, is also engraved by someone familiar with the equid world. At the bottom right, a man with a U-shaped head. Although of the same type as the previous one, the character on the left (0.75 m tall) has a "sun-shaped" head.

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.

61 - Arakao (Aïr). - Equid period: gazelles, monkey (?) To the left of the second row of gazelles, horse, ostrich, giraffes, figures from the equid period. The support block measures 2.40 meters in height.

62 - Arakao (Aïr). - A large giraffe (from the tip of the tail to the snout: 0.61 m). The punctuated pattern, which usually indicates the color of the garment, is replaced by lines.

63 - Arakao (Aïr). - A cow (note the udders) in the same style. From the base of the tail to the tips of the horns: 0.94 meters in length.

64 - Arakao (Aïr). - Many Tifinar characters are added to the figures of the equid period. The exact date of Tifinar writing is unknown, but its structure appears to be very ancient. Height of the two figures: 1 meter.

65 - Tezirzek (Aïr). - Horse Period. Two figures (the one on the left is 0.70 m tall) hold together, at the end of a rope, an indistinguishable being that seems to resemble a child!

66 - Tezirzek (Aïr). - The horse-like figures were so fond of representing themselves that one could create an inventory of their various portrayals, often, in fact, accompanied by one or more horses.

67 - Tezirzek (Aïr). - The horse-like figures were so fond of representing themselves that one could create an inventory of their various portrayals, often, in fact, accompanied by one or more horses.

68 - Surroundings of Iferouane (Aïr). - Two graceful antelopes (?) adorn a smooth rock surface, which is very rare. The style recalls Black Africa. Height of the animals: 0.60 m.

68 - Surroundings of Iferouane (Aïr). - (original photo) Two graceful antelopes (?) adorn a smooth rock surface, which is very rare. The style recalls Black Africa. Height of the animals: 0.60 m.

69 - Temet (Aïr). - Very decadent engravings depicting two equid-like figures with strongly emphasized eyes. Bovids (?). From the snout of the one on the right to the tail of the one following: 1.05 m.

70 - Dabous (Western Aïr). - Animal fresco: giraffe, goats (?) etc. Note the deep lines of the engraving, despite the "equine" appearance of the giraffe, which measures 1.15 meters from the nostrils to the tail.

71 - Dabous (Western Aïr). - Antelope engraved in wide and deep lines. From the top of the horns to the front legs: 0.55 meters.

72 - Dabous (Western Aïr). - Antelope-like (?) from the head to the hind hooves: 0.80 m.

73 - Dabous (Western Aïr). - Rare and very beautiful giraffe head. The snout, horns, and ears are polished. The mane is highlighted. This giraffe is reproduced in its entirety in photo 74. Note the rope hanging from the snout...

74 - Dabous (Western Aïr). - Remarkable pair of giraffes with great anatomical precision that can be attributed to the beautiful naturalist era. The left giraffe, from the hind hoof to the head: 5.80 m, and the right one, also with a rope hanging from the nostrils, 3.02 m from the head to the tail's end.

81 - Drigana. Djado Region. - On a rock bordering a reg, once a prime area for elephant movement, this magnificent Neolithic fresco of 4 naturalistic elephants. The rock measures 4.25 m in width. In the same position, facing the Ténéré plateau, and 300 m from the first ones, three other elephants in the same style. Width of the supporting rock: 4.10 m. (82)