Libya Rock Art

This site is devoted to the presentation and discussion of the rock-art of the Wadi al-Hayat, in the Fezzan region of south-west Libya. Several hundred engravings have so far been identified here. This rich concentration of rock-art spans the phase from at least 7 000 years ago until the present - a critical period of time which encompasses major transitions in human economy, culture and ideology from hunting and gathering to pastoralism, then to agriculture and more recently to industrialisation. The rock-art provides fascinating evidence of how human groups were living during this period, what their relationships with their environment were and what they considered of importance and value.

Because rock-art is deliberately placed at specific locations in the landscape, a powerful relationship can often exist between rock-art sites and natural landscape features. This study explores this relationship and attempts to express the visual character of the rock-art locations through a series of photographic panoramas which provide a physical context for the engravings.

Note: The photographs on this website open a larger version if clicked on. The panoramic images are very large, and may take some time to open.

Acknowledgements

This research was supported by grants from the Leverhulme Trust and the Society for Libyan Studies. This ongoing project is directed by in collaboration with the Society for Libyan Studies and the Department of Antiquities, Tripoli. The contribution of all those who have taken part on this field work is gratefully acknowledged. Panoramic photographs were produced by Toby Savage. Photographs were produced by Toby Savage, Tertia Barnett and Mark Roberts.