Kel Essuf Period

[1] Round Head rock art bears considerable similarity with traditional Sub-Saharan African cultures.

[2] A spatula and lithic grinding tools with ocher remnants on them, which serves as evidence of painting, were found in an Acacus rockshelter with Round Head rock art.

[2] Paint from Round Head rock art in the region (e.g., Acacus) of Libya was also tested and dated to 6379 BP.

[2] Altogether, these show continuation of the Round Head rock art tradition well into the Pastoral Period.

[2] Based on the furnished floors purposed for the collection of spring water, the Kel Essuf rock art, which are cultural facies, may date at least as early as 12,000 BP amid the late period of the Pleistocene.

[2] Amid the late period of the Pleistocene, with its varied climate system, the mountainous environment remained sufficiently humid, which allowed for animal, plant, and human life to be sustained.

[4] Aside this absence, both the Kel Essuf and Round Head rock art are largely composed of male artforms.

[4] The precursors for Round Head rock art may have originated in the mountainous northern area (e.g., Adrar Bous, Air) of Niger.

[4] The emergence and expansion of ceramics in the Sahara may be linked with the origin of both the Round Head and Kel Essuf rock art, which occupy rockshelters in the same regions (e.g., Djado, Acacus, Tadrart) as well as have common resemblances (e.g., traits, shapes) with one another.

[4] More than 90% of Kel Essuf rock artforms bear an additional appendage, which do not possess finger-like digits.

[5] The Kel Essuf rock artforms of category three possess two appendages on their sides that are curvilinear (two parallel lines that do not close at their ends), an additional appendage without finger-like digits, and possesses a narrowing which is indicative of it being a neck; additionally, this category of artforms may sometimes possess more than two appendages at the region of their “head”, bear decorative curvilinear attributes near their “shoulder” regions, and even bear trace evidence of having previously been painted.

[2] Round Head rock art bears considerable similarity with traditional Sub-Saharan African cultures.

[5] Based on these furnished floors purposed for the collection of spring water, the Kel Essuf rock art, which are cultural facies, may date at least as early as 12,000 BP amid the late period of the Pleistocene.