Algerian Radio
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) bulletin, in its latest issue, dedicated a special feature to the "Tassili n'Ajjer" plateau site in southern Algeria, deeming it a "unique witness" to a long history that contributes to preserving an important chapter of human heritage.
In a report titled "Tassili n'Ajjer: The Sahara's Open-Air Museum," the publication highlighted the region as "one of the most fascinating open archives on the planet." It noted that the site constitutes "a space for thousands of years of visual storytelling, where it has contributed to preserving a chapter of human and environmental history that writing could hardly convey with the same expressive depth."
The bulletin mentioned the plateau's vast expanse, making it "the largest national park in Africa," in addition to its classification as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1982. Recalling the region's geological history that spans hundreds of millions of years, the report added that today it "offers unique landscapes."
However, the true value of the "Tassili n'Ajjer" region—according to the same source—"lies not only in its geological nature but in hosting one of the richest and most important collections of rock art in the world." It pointed out that "over 15,000 paintings and engravings have been documented there so far, while researchers suggest the existence of more in rugged, hard-to-reach areas."
For those interested in visiting this site, the publication stated that "the visitors' journey often begins from the city of Djanet, which is the gateway and geographical center of the site, from which three main areas branch out: the Tassili plateau, the Tadrart Rouge range, and the Iherir Valley."
The report also paused to examine some of the most famous artworks and rock engravings at the site. It recalled that the "Crying Cows" engraving tells a local legend that these cows embodied, through their tears, the anxiety of shepherds at the onset of the region's drought and the disappearance of rain.
In the same vein, the bulletin highlighted the scientific significance of these drawings, explaining that they "serve as a visual record of major climatic transformations witnessed by the Sahara." This is especially true as they depict "the presence of animals such as hippopotamuses, crocodiles, and giraffes—creatures that can only survive in a water-rich environment. This indicates that the Sahara experienced a humid period, known as the African Humid Period, between approximately 12,000 and 7,000 years ago."
The OPEC bulletin concluded by emphasizing that "Tassili n'Ajjer" remains "a witness to a long history of interaction between humans and the environment, and represents a living record of major natural transformations witnessed by the Earth."
