Djado Plateau Rock Art
Djado · Plateau du Djado
Neolithic to Medieval (6000 BCE–1500 CE)·Saharan pastoralists / Libyco-Berber / Kanem·🇳🇪 Agadez Region (Djand lateral), Niger
About
About Djado Plateau Rock Art
Djado Plateau is an isolated sandstone cuesta 1,000 m² in Ténéré with rock art 6000 BCE–1000 CE, engraved cattle, giraffe and Libyco-Berber inscriptions in shelters, plus ruined ksar Djado fortress 13th c. of Kanem–Sao. Tifinagh script. Salt nearby? Palaeolake Djado relict. Threat: uranium exploration. Engravings pecked deeply 10 cm; paintings finger dots. Fortified granary atop.
Why it mattersTénéré rock art frontier; Djado ksar as Kanem Saharan outpost.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Cattle engraving chronology vs desiccation
- 02Ksar abandonment 15th c.
Theories
- 01Saharan pastoral refugium model (Smith)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- 6000 BCE engravings; ksar 13th c.
- Period
- Neolithic to Medieval (6000 BCE–1500 CE)
- Culture
- Saharan pastoralists / Libyco-Berber / Kanem
- Builders
- Saharan herders and Kanem garrison
- Purpose
- Pastoral rock art shrine and desert caravan fortress
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
6000 BCE
Cattle engravings
1000 CE
Libyco-Berber inscriptions
13th c.
Ksar Djado built (Kanem)
1500
Abandoned
On the ground
Structures & features
21.0450° N · 12.3420° E · 780 m · 2 mapped features
Cattle Engraving Panel
rock artPecked cattle and giraffe panel
21.0460° N · 12.3430° EKsar Djado Citadel
ksar100×80 m fortified granary atop plateau
21.0440° N · 12.3410° E
Gallery