Dabous Giraffes
The Dabous Giraffes are neolithic petroglyphs[1] by unknown artists on the western side of the Aïr Mountains in north-central Niger.[2] The carvings are believed to have been done between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago, during the African humid period, when the region was less arid, and the Sahara was a vast savannah.[3] They are the largest known animal petroglyphs in the world.[2]
The giraffe carvings were first recorded by French archaeologist Christian Dupuy in 1987,[3] and documented by David Coulson[4] in 1997 while on a photographic expedition to the site.
The carvings are 6 metres (20 ft) in height and consists of two giraffes carved into the Dabous Rock with a great amount of detail. Dabous Rock is located on the slope of a small rocky outcropping of sandstone in the first foothills of the Air Mountains. One of the giraffes is male, while the other, smaller, is female.
In the surroundings 828 images have been found engraved on the rocks, of which 704 are animals (cattle, giraffes, ostriches, antelopes, lions, rhinoceros, and camels), 61 are human, and 17 are inscriptions in Tifinâgh.[3]
Due to degradation of the engravings resulting from human activity, a mold was made of the engravings for display.[5][6] An aluminum cast of this mold is on display at the airport of Agadez.[3] The Bradshaw Foundation is an organization dedicated to the protection and preservation of this petroglyph.[6]
External links
References
- ^ Patowary, Kaushi (August 2019). "The Giraffes of Dabous", Amusing Planet. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Dabous Giraffes, Niger", Atlas Obscura.
- ^ a b c d Dabous, Niger, The British Museum. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Coulson, David (June 2007). Sub-Zone 3: Niger, in Rock Art of Sahara And North Africa, pp.45-52. ICMOS, Vancouver. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ Miller, Ritchie W. (Sept. 2000). Saving Ancient Rock Art in Niger, State Magazine, U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
- ^ a b "Rock Art of Giraffe Dabous Niger Dated at Approximately 9,000 Years Ago", Archaeology World, June 11, 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
18°01′49″N 7°34′50″E / 18.03028°N 7.58056°E
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