Morocco has a rich
history that includes many non-written historical records such as art and
music. One particular form of art history is quite impressive, the ancient rock
art of Morocco. As of this writing there are confirmed over 300 different sites
in Morocco that contain ancient rock art.[1]
Some scientists believe the oldest sites to be about 5,000 BP.[2] The first humans appear in rock art about
9,000 years ago.[3]
This type of rock art is also found throughout the Sahara region of North
Africa particularly in desert mountain areas.[4]
There are four distinct
styles of rock art that also overlap different periods in history. The oldest
style is Tazina, followed by the Horse Period, the Libyan Warrior, and finally
the Camel Period.[5]
[1] Searight,
Susan. "Morocco’S Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013):
35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.
[2] "Morocco
- Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed November 10,
2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.
[3] Jeffrey
Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com,
last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017,
http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.
[4] Prehistoric
Rock Art In Morocco". Wild Morocco | Where Adventure Begins. Last modified
2017. Accessed November 13, 2017.
http://wildmorocco.com/prehistoric-rock-art-in-morocco.
[5] "Morocco
- Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed
November 10,
2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.
Some of the rock art in
the Atlas Mountains of Morocco depict weapons made from metal.[1]
This is an important clue for historians studying how trade and smelting
developed in the ancient world. Another benefit of the rock art is the clues it
gives us on how the Sahara region of Africa changed over the centuries. We can
see by the animals and vegetation depicted that the Sahara region was a
savannah. About 7,000 years ago the Sahara began changing into the desert it is
today.[2]
Rock art was a way of
communication. Unlike South Africa and other parts of the world, rock art in
Morocco is out in the open and not in caves. The rocks were placed in places
that any traveler could clearly see.[3]
Many different types of events and animals are represented in the rock art
which gives us an insight into the past. Many exotic animals such as elephants,
rhinoceros, and giraffes are in rock art. Depictions of humans include battles,
musicians, every-day life, and ancient religious rites.[4]
[1] Searight,
Susan. "Morocco’s Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013):
35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.
[2] Jeffrey
Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com,
last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017,
http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.
[3] Searight,
Susan. "Morocco’s Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013):
35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.
[4] Jeffrey
Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com,
last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.
Today the Moroccan
government is advocating an increase in tourism. Part of this effort includes
day trips to visit rock art sites near the popular city of Marrakesh.
Marrakesh, Morocco
References
Prehistoric Rock Art In Morocco". Wild Morocco | Where Adventure Begins. Last modified 2017. Accessed November 13, 2017. http://wildmorocco.com/prehistoric-rock-art-in-morocco.
"Morocco - Trust For African Rock Art". Last modified 2017. Accessed November 10, 2017. https://africanart.org/rock-art-gallery/morocco/.
Jeffrey Hays, "SAHARAN ROCK ART | Facts And Details", Factsanddetails.Com, last modified 2017, accessed November 11, 2017, http://factsanddetails.com/world/cat56/sub361/item1463.html.
Searight, Susan. "Morocco’S Rock Art: Age And Meaning". Arts 2, no. 1 (2013): 35-43. Accessed November 7, 2017. http://www.mdpi.com/journal/arts.
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