Artistic styles in the engravings of the ancient rock art in Wadi Al Baqar (Valley of Cows) in the Sahara Desert in Libya

There has been limited research on rock art in Libya with a small number of studies conducted in specific parts of the country. This exegesis examines a recently discovered rock art site in Wadi al Baqar in the Sahara brought to the researcher’s attention through collaboration with Indigenous people of Libya, the Tuareg people. The majority of studies in Libya to date were conducted some time ago and the dearth of recent research coupled with the discovery of a new rock art site at Wadi al Baqar have given the researcher the incentive to make a study of Libyan rock art. The Tuareg discovered this site and this research was undertaken with their support and encouragement. As the researcher I will argue that rock art is important to both Libyan and world heritage. This study is an original and timely exploration of this newly discovered ancient art, which also provides insights into the ancient people who created this work thousands of years ago in the Sahara. To achieve these goals, data has been collected and classified from this newly discovered site. The rock art at Wadi al Baqar will be the principal focus of the study and will illuminate descriptive interpretations of life in the Sahara some five thousand years ago. This study uses rock art to explore the environmental changes which have occurred in the Sahara and the changing lifestyle of these ancient people. The exegesis will also discuss rock art in other parts of the world as a comparative aspect of this research project. Most importantly this exegesis will highlight the vulnerability of rock art in the Sahara and the critical need to protect these valuable heritage sites.