Abstract
The striking sandstone formation of Zolat el Hammad is located in the southern Libyan Desert, about halfway between the Middle Wadi Howar and El Atrun. The place has been known for its numerous rock engravings for more than a hundred years. Wild and domesticated animals as well as few human figures are depicted. Cattle engravings largely dominate, followed by giraffes and ostriches. In 1997 the first paintings were discovered in a small rock shelter. Very schematic bovids are drawn in red and white colour. However, even though it is one of the most remarkable rock art sites in this part of the Sahara, Zolat el Hammad has never been intensely studied. Observations on rock art and archaeology made during a short stay in 2001 are the basis for presenting an account of the area with the aim of encouraging further research on it.
Highlights
| Rock Art and Archaeology – a Short Visit to Zolat el Hammad, Northern Sudan 277 a short stop for numerous visitors – besides various research expeditions various tourist groups
In November 2001, during an excavation campaign of the Cologne research project ACACIA (Arid Climate Adaptation and Cultural Innovation in Africa), the author was able to spend a short stay in Zolat el Hammad for the first and to date only time
The spectrum of rock art depicted in Zolat el Hammad has already been outlined in the first descriptions (Newbold 1924; 1928; Rhotert 1952) and supplemented by further publications (Kröpelin 1993; 2004; Berger 1997; 1999): wild and domesticated animals as well as human figures
Summary
The striking sandstone formation of Zolat el Hammad is located in the southern Libyan Desert, about halfway between the Middle Wadi Howar and El Atrun. The place has been known for its numerous rock engravings for more than a hundred years. Very schematic bovids are drawn in red and white colour. Even though it is one of the most remarkable rock art sites in this part of the Sahara, Zolat el Hammad has never been intensely studied. Observations on rock art and archaeology made during a short stay in 2001 are the basis for presenting an account of the area with the aim of encouraging further research on it. KEY-WORDS: Northern Sudan, Libyan Desert, Zolat el Hammad, rock art, archaeology
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