Mysteria
Messak Settafet — North Escarpment Engraving Panel
Widely accepted26.0000° N · 12.0000° E · 600 m

Messak Settafet — North Escarpment Engraving Panel

Messak N Panel

Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇱🇾 Fezzan, Messak Settafet, Libya

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Unknown 1st century CE Roman artist; Photo courtesy of Annette Haug · Public domain

About

About Messak Settafet — North Escarpment Engraving Panel

Messak Settafet — North Escarpment Engraving Panel in Fezzan, Messak Settafet, Libya is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and magnetometry document architectural phasing. The site includes a principal necropolis and ancillary necropolis. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 1.5 ha. Excavation excavated; condition preserved. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.

Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 600 m elevation.

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Chronology and phasing
  2. 02Construction technique

Theories

  1. 01Territorial marker
  2. 02Ceremonial centre

Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.

History

How it came to be

Built
c. 15000 BCE
Period
Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)
Culture
Palaeolithic to Iron Age
Purpose
Rock art panel and ritual gallery
Excavation
Excavated

  1. c. 15000 BCE

    Initial construction / foundation

  2. c. 810 BCE

    Major refurbishment / second phase

  3. 1897

    Modern rediscovery and excavation

On the ground

Structures & features

26.0000° N · 12.0000° E · 600 m · 3 mapped features

Gallery

Photos

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