Wadi Al-Hayat Rock Art Project Libya has one of the most impressive and extensive concentrations of rock art in the world. This rock art forms a crucial component of the cultural heritage of Libya and of the Sahara, yet it is still poorly understood. The area where my research project is located is the Wadi al-Hayat in the far south west of the country in the Fezzan region of the central Sahara. Although today this region is remote, and habitation which is becoming increasingly marginal is only possible through oil-driven irrigation technology, at various times in the past it was an important focus for human occupation.
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A significant collection of prehistoric and historic engravings were identified in the Wadi al-Hayat in 2000 and 2002 during the Fazzan Archaeological Project (FAP), directed by Professor David Mattingly. These preliminary studies indicated that this was an exciting area to explore further (Barnett 2001, 2002; Mattingly et al 2003), and subsequent field seasons were completed in 2004/5 and 2006.

After a systematic survey of over 80 km of the wadi leaving no stone unturned we identified and recorded over 900 engraved rocks, and several thousand individual carved images in total. The landscape context for each rock was also recorded. The engravings in the wadi appear to span all known phases of rock art in the Sahara, possibly dating from before 8000 years ago until present day. This is a period of considerable cultural change, with the emergence of pastoralism and the subsequent development of settled agriculture with the Garamantian civilization.

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Cultural adaptations and the impact of climatic variations are captured and played out in the symbolism of the rock art and the symbolism of place. The engravings have potential to improve our understanding of this important period of cultural adaptation, both in this region and more widely across the Sahara.

This work is on-going with further field seasons planned in future years to extend and complete the survey of the Wadi al-Hayat. Analysis of the data is also crucial and work is currently focussing on refining the existing chronological sequence and determining the relationship between time, place and image(s).

A team of laser scanners from Bristol University joined the project in 2004/5 and completed laser scanning of 15 carved panels. Three-dimensional recording provides the best quality, most objective record possible of carved rock and is invaluable. This work will assist in our diagnosis and analysis of style and stratigraphy. Further 3-D recording is anticipated in future seasons.

We are also working with the British Council and the local Germa Museum in the Wadi al-Hayat to produce educational and informational material for distribution to locals and foreign visitors to the rock art, to help raise awareness and promote respect for the monuments.