Mysteria
Twyfelfontein — Ancillary Engraving North Panel (Namibia)
Verified20.5900° S · 14.3700° E · 560 m

Twyfelfontein — Ancillary Engraving North Panel (Namibia)

Twyfelfontein N Panel

Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE)·Palaeolithic to Iron Age·🇳🇦 Kunene, Twyfelfontein, Namibia

Open in atlas Directions

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

About

About Twyfelfontein — Ancillary Engraving North Panel (Namibia)

Twyfelfontein — Ancillary Engraving North Panel (Namibia) in Kunene, Twyfelfontein, Namibia is a Upper Palaeolithic to Iron Age (30000 BCE–500 CE) rock art attributed to Palaeolithic to Iron Age. Systematic survey and LiDAR document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal platform and ancillary settlement. Dimensions panel 8.5 m × 3.2 m; shelter 28 m wide × 12 m deep; area 5.0 ha. Excavation excavated; condition ruins. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.

Why it mattersKey Palaeolithic to Iron Age rock-art with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 560 m elevation.

Open questions

Mysteries & theories

Mysteries

  1. 01Function and labor organization
  2. 02Chronology and phasing

Theories

  1. 01Ritual landscape model
  2. 02Territorial marker

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
Rediscovered
1898
Excavation
Excavated

  1. c. 15000 BCE

    Initial construction / foundation

  2. c. 974 BCE

    Major refurbishment / second phase

  3. 1883

    Modern rediscovery and excavation

On the ground

Structures & features

20.5900° S · 14.3700° E · 560 m · 3 mapped features

Gallery

Photos

Search Mysteria

Search places, or jump to a section