Roles of nomadic women and men (rock painting / end of the prehistoric period / Ouan Bender / Tassili n-Ajjer / Algeria)

The landscape on the way to Ouan Bender, another place where you can find beautiful rock art. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

The landscape at Ouan Bender, another place where you can find beautiful rock art. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

A magnificent painted document depicting the shepherds' accurate view of the flocks for which they were responsible. The horns are exactly those that can still be seen in some parts of East Africa today. Such a work would deserve to be included in the inventory of world cultural heritage. One must be grateful to the Algerian authorities for prohibiting access to it. The polychrome hues highlight the high quality of the drawing. Pictured rock painting: 0.82 m wide. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - Ouan Bender - 1993

In these shelters of Ouan Bender you can find excellent rock art. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

This dromedary with herringbone tail is harnessed in a logical way, which is not the case with the "frame", in which a person sits without legs, but who has a leather cushion in front of him. The "frame" is 0.16 m high and 0.23 m wide. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - Ouan Bender - 1993

Evening atmosphere in Ouan Bender. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

In these shelters of Ouan Bender you can find excellent rock art. Algeria - Tassili n'Ajjer - 1993

442 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - We return here to the realm of the "round heads" and a strong preference for the color white. The position is typical but not that of a worshiper. The posterior appendage might refer to a loincloth, though not specified. The fingers of the hands and the feet are well depicted. Height: 0.82 m. Note that working in Ouan Bender, strictly prohibited for tourists, requires special authorization from the director of the "Tassili National Park", authorization which Maximilien Bruggmann had.

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.

444 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Group of figures painted in white and outlined in black. Their activities are no longer identifiable. Central figure: 0.70 m in height.

445 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Very beautiful ox with widely spread horns, painted in a burgundy color. It measures 0.35 meters in length, from the front ear to the base of the tail.

446 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - This photo and the following ones, up to 451, belong to the same shelter. Here we see a large mural that continues on the opposite page (photo 448). Several figures are depicted amidst scattered cattle. The small bovine located at the top, slightly to the right of the center, is the same one shown in the photo above (445). The panel is 2.85 m wide.

447 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Very interesting domestic scene, possibly involving barter. As far as can be judged, the features of the two individuals appear Europoid. Height of the depicted panel: 0.34 m.

448 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Continuation of photo 446, which connects on its left side. At the top of this document, slightly left behind the bovine, there is a curious zoomorphic figure that, according to Y. Tschudi, represents two gazelles. Giraffes, goats, cattle, and human figures are visible. Width of the depicted panel: 3.36 m.

449 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A symbolic figure painted with bold strokes. Perhaps an elephant whose legs are overloading a fore bovid. In this curious figure, two back ends of undetermined animals are also visible, touching at the median section of the belly. Height of the figure: 0.48 m.

450 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - The animal (?) from the previous photo, as seen by Y. Tschudi. (Tschudi Y. - North African Rock Paintings. Sansoni Ed., Florence, 1955).

451 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A complex scene. It is not possible to "classify" the depictions. A figure with a "round head" forms the main part of the painting. It is overlain on the left by a gazelle and on the right by a figure presumably following this gazelle. The figure measures 0.34 m from feet to head.

452 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - In the center, two large antelopes painted in ochre are visible.

453 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A large white-painted mouflon, resembling the same animals associated with "round heads." A beautiful polychrome ensemble of bovines, antelopes, goats, and humans... From one mouflon horn to the other: 0.53 m.

454 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - A very beautiful depiction of cows painted in dark ochre brown. Panel height: 0.87 m.

455 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – A splendid painted document that gives the exact vision of the shepherds responsible for the herds. The horns are exactly those still seen today in some regions of East Africa. Such a work deserves to be listed in the world heritage inventory. One must be grateful to the Algerian authorities for having restricted access to it. The polychrome tones enhance the high quality of the drawing. Panel represented: 0.82 m in width.

456 - Ouan Bendr (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – A decadent work depicting hoofed animals that are difficult to identify. Although painted, this fresco lacks the accuracy and freshness of the previous ones. Width of the panel represented: 0.87 m.

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

458 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Certainly, this "dromedary" is amusing, but it is only a dromedary due to the comic nature of its appearance: the art reflects the decadence of the climate. From the front foot to the muzzle: 0.17 m.

459 - Ouan Bender (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – This dromedary with a fishbone-shaped tail is harnessed logically, unlike the "frame," in which a figure without legs is seated, but has a leather cushion in front of it. The "frame" measures 0.16 m in height and 0.23 m in width.

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