The Enchanting Algerian Sahara…Secrets and Marvels.
Tassili n’Ajjer
Tassili n’Ajjer National Park
Location Tamanrasset Province, Algeria
Coordinates 25°10′0″N 8°10′0″E / 25.166667°N 8.166667°ECoordinates: 25°10′0″N 8°10′0″E / 25.166667°N 8.166667°E
Area 72,000 km²
Established 1972
Tassili n’Ajjer (Tamazight, “Plateau of the Rivers”, Arabic: طاسيلي ناجّر) is a mountain range in the Sahara desert in southeast Algeria, North Africa. It extends about 500 km from 26°20′N 5°00′E / 26.333°N 5°E east-south-east to 24°00′N 10°00′E / 24°N 10°E, and the highest point is Adrar Afao, 2158 m, at 25°10′N 8°11′E / 25.167°N 8.183°E. The nearest town is Djanet, about 10 km southwest of the range.
Much of the range, including the cypresses and archaeological sites (see below), is protected in a National park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, named the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park.
The range is composed largely of sandstone. Erosion in the area has resulted in nearly 300 natural rock arches being formed, along with many other spectacular landforms.
Because of the altitude and the water-holding properties of the sandstone, the vegetation is somewhat richer than the surrounding desert; it includes a very scattered woodland of the endangered endemic species Saharan Cypress and Saharan Myrtle in the higher eastern half of the range.
The ecology of the Tassili n’Ajjer is more fully described in the article West Saharan montane xeric woodlands, the ecoregion to which this area belongs. The literal English translation of Tassili n’Ajjer is ‘Plateau of the rivers’ referring to a time when the climate was repeatedly far more wet than today (see Neolithic Subpluvial).
Prehistoric art
Carvings of fauna (animals) found in Tassili
The range is also noted for its prehistoric rock paintings and other ancient archaeological sites, dating from neolithic times when the local climate was much moister, with savannah rather than desert. The art depicts herds of cattle, large wild animals including crocodiles, and human activities such as hunting and dancing. The art has strong stylistic links to the pre-Nguni Art of South Africa and the region, executed in caves by the San Peoples before the year 1200 BC.
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