Tassili Azkar, the land of primitive art in the heart of the desert
Journey in a collection of postage stamps
Tassili Azkar is a charming Algerian region registered on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This region is located in the heart of the Sahara Desert and features a unique mixture of beautiful landscapes, ancient rock paintings and traces of previous civilizations dating back more than 12,000 years. This article reviews the region of Tassili Azkar through a set of stamps issued by Algeria in 1983. The stamps describe the inhabitants of the region and the different animals and plants that live in it. The paintings also cover amazing primitive drawings and archaeological finds that make it a treasure trove of history and natural beauty.
Geographical location:
The erosion factors formed natural stone arcs, abyssal valleys and natural water reservoirs - Algeria - 1983-YT-797
Tassili-Azkar is located in the southeast of Algeria and covers a huge area of about 72,000 square kilometres. It is in the heart of the Sahara Desert, and is bordered by Libya to the east and Niger to the south. This remote and rugged plateau region rises more than 2,000 meters above sea level and is characterized by high mountains, deep valleys and wide areas of rocky desert landscape.
Residents of Tassili Azkar:
The Tuareg tribes are the inhabitants of the Tassili Azkar region and their presence extends into neighboring countries - 1983-YT-795
The inhabitants of the Tassili Azkar region belong mainly to the Tuareg tribes, who have maintained their nomadic way of life for hundreds of years. These desert tribes have continued their nomadic way of life for many centuries. The Tuareg, who are traditionally nomadic shepherds, travel in this difficult nature thanks to their knowledge of its features and thanks to their animals.
Animals and plants:
Barbary lamb, one of the mammals that lives in the Tassili-Azkar region of Algeria - 1983-YT-794
Although Tassili-Azkar is an arid region, it is home to an incredible variety of fauna and flora. Animals that used to live in the desert, such as fennec foxes, Dorcas gazelles and Barbary sheep, roam the rugged terrain. Although Tassili N'Ajer is an arid region, it is home to an incredible variety of fauna and flora. Animals that used to live in the desert, such as fennec foxes, Dorcas gazelles and Barbary sheep, roam the rugged terrain. Birds such as houbara bustards and eagles also fly over these stunning landscapes. Among the plants, acacias, date palms and other desert plants managed to survive in this dry desert climate. They provide shade and food for the animals and the Bedouin population.
Primitive murals:
Primitive rock drawings in the caves of Tassili Azkar - Algeria - 1983-YT-796
One of the most interesting aspects of Tassili Azkar is its extensive collection of drawings left by prehistoric people on the rocks of the area. There are more than 15,000 different rock art sites in the region. It features vivid depictions of people, animals, hunting scenes, and rituals. These paintings depict life in this region that was green more than 12,000 years ago.
These ancient drawings provide us with a glimpse into the lives, customs and beliefs of the first peoples who inhabited the region. Art also testifies to the rich cultural history of the first inhabitants of the desert and the connections between them.
Archaeological discoveries:
Tassili Azkar not only contains impressive cave paintings but has also been the site of important historical discoveries. Archaeologists have discovered tools, pottery and ruins of ancient villages that tell us more about the ancient cultures that lived in the region. The burials of the Jaramant Cave are among the most important discoveries, as they show how people buried their dead and practiced rituals and other customs.
In conclusion, Tassili Azkar is an amazing place, of dazzling natural beauty, with a great variety of fauna and flora, as well as a rich cultural history. With prehistoric cave paintings, archaeological treasures and barren desert landscapes, this extraordinary region offers tourists a unique opportunity to connect with the past and enjoy the desert.
Catalog reference: Yvert & Tellier 794 to 797.
Source: websites