Photo Gallery

Niger - Two rhinos clash - Stonecutting at the confluence Enneri Blaka / Enneri Domo

Niger - Djado - Enneri Blaka, Site 5 - Engraving of a rhinoceros, period of hartebeest

These enigmatic threefold spirals in the Wadi Djerat were etched in rock with a simple stone wedge next to the imposing engraving of a rhinoceros on the northern Tassili Plateau, Algeria.

Two line-engraved rhinoceroses. From right horn to left tail: 0.84 m. - Site 1 in the "Submarine" rock shelter. - Enneri Blaka - Niger - 1968

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.

80 - Drigana. Djado Region. - Rhinoceros overlapping an elephant. Old engraving. From the tail tip to the horn tip: 1.56 m.

80 - Drigana. Djado Region. - (original photo) Rhinoceros overlapping an elephant. Old engraving. From the tail tip to the horn tip: 1.56 m.

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)

90 - Enneri Blaka. Site 1. - Two rhinoceroses engraved in line with a V-shaped cross-section. From the horn on the right to the tail on the left: 0.84 m.

95 - Enneri Blaka. Site 1. - Rhinoceros from the so-called Bubal period. The document is overlaid with a more recent puncture. From the snout to the end of the tail: 0.36 m.

97 - Enneri Blaka. Site 2. - (original photo) Rhinoceros from the ancient period, engraved with shallow lines. From the tip of the horn to the back of the hind foot: 0.40 m.

109 - Enneri Blaka. Site 5. - Still on the same stone slab of the rock shelter, from the "bubale" period, a schematic rhinoceros that fits well with the local style and the difficulty of properly capturing the anatomy of this animal. The legs also end in a "tapered" shape, which had already struck G.B.M. Flamand in 1921. From the tip of the horn to the back leg: 0.54 m.

131 - Confluent Blaka-Domo. Site 12. - Bubaline Era. Rhino engraved with fine and regular lines. It is preceded by a smaller rhino. At the top right, two hanging parts of “loincloths” (?). Large rhino, from the tip of the tail to the tip of the horn: 0.51 m.

137 - Confluent Blaka-Domo. Site 12. - Confronted rhinoceroses from the Bubaline period. From the tip of one tail to the other: 0.665 m.

142 - Oued Mathendous. In Habeter III. - Bubaline period. As Frobenius described and published it in 1937, this scene is discussed in the chapter "The History of a False Idea: Sex and the Desert." Note the very modern appearance of the costumes.

142 - Oued Mathendous. In Habeter III. - (original photo) Bubaline period. As Frobenius described and published it in 1937, this scene is discussed in the chapter "The History of a False Idea: Sex and the Desert." Note the very modern appearance of the costumes.

143 - Oued Mathendous. In Habeter III. - Bubaline period. The original engraving used as the model for L. Frobenius' drawing. Width of the panel shown in Maximilien Bruggmann's photo: 1.90 m.

193 - Oued Mathendous. In Habeter II. - Two hippopotamuses, with only the upper one being finished. Deep and consistent engraving. Positioned too high on the wall to be measured.

224 - Tadrart Acacous. Tin-Achigh. – Two giraffes in a decadent style, completely dotted on the inside. To the left, the head and horn of a rhinoceros. To the right of the giraffe, a schematic and poorly engraved “diabolo” figure. Tifinar characters. Informal graffiti. Width of the depicted panel: 1.60 m.

272 - Tigane (Morocco). - Engraved rhinoceros. Interesting because of the climatic indication it gives. It is very schematic and shows only one horn. In the same style, between the legs, another indeterminate animal. Note the scattered lines across the entire depicted surface. Length: 0.14 m.

273 - Tigane (Morocco). - Epoch of the "bubale." Another engraved rhinoceros. This time it has two horns and well-marked ears. Length from the front horn to the hindquarters: 0.38 m.

283 - Oumat-el-Harn (Mauritania). - A rhinoceros painted in red ochre (discovered by Maximilien Bruggmann in 1969). Length: 0.18 m.

365 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - Drawing from a photo of an engraved rhinoceros. The head has always posed a problem for both engravers and painters.

365 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer). - (original photo) Drawing from a photo of an engraved rhinoceros. The head has always posed a problem for both engravers and painters.

367 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Two rhinoceroses: one large and one small, engraved with fine lines. The larger one has exaggerated horns and its sex is emphasized. The main engravings of the so-called "Ethiopian" large fauna bring us back to the Neolithic. Essential parts of it will disappear with it.

368 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Engraved rhinoceros with highly exaggerated horns. It seems that these horns were retouched at a later time, restoring the engraver’s full artistry and giving the rhinoceros its precise form. From tail to horn, it measures 1.75 meters in length.

369 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Schematic rhinoceros engraved with a deep line.

370 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Late period. Engraved rhinoceros with a head larger than the body.

371 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Rhinoceros walking in a possible charging position. Note how the front horn is connected to the snout.

372 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Drawing of a naturalistic rhinoceros by Maximilien Bruggmann.

372 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – (original photo) Drawing of a naturalistic rhinoceros by Maximilien Bruggmann.

373 - Oued Djérat (Tassili-n'Ajjer) – Engraving of a rhinoceros defecating. The position of the ears, like the front horn, gives this animal an unexpected appearance.

460 - Ozeneare (Tassili-n'Ajjer). – Rhinoceros treated with dark ochre. The animal is shown at a gallop. The horns are painted white. The small tail is typical of the animal. From the tip of the horn to the rear foot: 0.49 m.