Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers
Early Holocene (7000–6000 BCE Beasts)·Gilf early Holocene cattle herders and hunters·🇪🇬 Western Desert, Gilf Kebir, Wadi Sura, Cave of Beasts (WC-02), Egypt
About
About Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers
Sura Beasts excavated by Kuper 2010, 7000 BCE 13k stencils Africa biggest. Recorded context — Period: Early Holocene (7000–6000 BCE Beasts); Culture: Gilf early Holocene cattle herders and hunters; Field status: unexcavated; Materials: sandstone, ochre; Condition: preserved — gated.
Why it mattersKey Gilf early Holocene cattle herders and hunters rock-art with stratified sequence and regional typology.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Astronomical alignment
- 02Chronology and phasing
Theories
- 01Defensive stronghold
- 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. 7000 BCE Beasts 7000 hand stencils; swimmers nearby 6300
- Period
- Early Holocene (7000–6000 BCE Beasts)
- Culture
- Gilf early Holocene cattle herders and hunters
- Purpose
- 8000 figures incl. headless beasts and 13,000 hand stencils — largest Saharan cave art enclosure 18 m × 9 m
- Rediscovered
- Modern excavation 1974
- Excavation
- Unexcavated
c. 7000 BCE Beasts 7000 hand stencils; swimmers nearby 6300
Initial construction / first occupation at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers
c. 800 CE major extension
Major expansion / refurbishment at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers
1950 excavation
Modern rediscovery and scientific excavation of Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers
On the ground
Structures & features
23.5970° N · 25.2320° E · 600 m · 4 mapped features
- Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — Principal Structurestructurestructure at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — primary structure23.5969° N · 25.2318° E
- Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — Complex Annex 2complexcomplex at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — outlier feature23.5952° N · 25.2326° E
- Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — Southern Rock Artrock artrock art at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — subsidiary complex23.5983° N · 25.2310° E
- Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — Eastern Structurestructurestructure at Wadi Sura — Cave of Beasts and Swimmers — primary structure23.5965° N · 25.2315° E
Gallery