The archaeological sites of Wadi Mathendous. Graffiti and paintings in the Sahara desert. Pictures, images, travelogue.

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF WADI MATHENDOUS
11 October 2007

Trekking inside the bed of an ancient dried river, where beautiful archaeological findings dated about 8000 years ago were discovered.

(Click on a picture to see an enlarged version)

We leave the sand dunes of Murzuk, driving to the archaeological site of Wadi Mathendous.



The archaeologial site is located into a bed of a dried river, in the middle of a desolate flat of black stones. We trek inside the canyon for about 5 kilometers.

The graffiti are located on the canyon's wall, in three main sites about 4km from each other.





Graffiti representing giraffes, elephants, hippos and egyptian cats with big ears. The style of these cats may indicate that this place was populated by egyptian's ancestors, migrated towards east in today's Egypt, because of the extending desert.


We continue to trek inside the bed of the dried river.


	I reach the last archaeological site inside Mathendous, where the most famous graffiti are present. Above: a men killing a rhino, a giraffe and, below, giant cats.

Once out from Mathendous, we drive back to Murzuk, to set our camp on the sand dunes.

Me taking pictures of the sunset. Picture by Federico.


Some cloud makes the today's sunset very nice.

ITINERARY - IMAGES - PICTURES - TRAVELOGUE

	TRAVELING TO ACACUS 6 October 2007 A long daytrip by 4x4 from Sebha to the Acacus mountains. Stop in Germa, Ubari and Al Uwaynat to buy the last provisions and register our libyan visa to the local police office. GO.
	IN THE HEART OF ACACUS 7 October* 2007* After the first night in a tent (or under the stars for somebody) we penetrate into Acacus canyons with our 4x4. GO.
	THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN ACACUS 8 October* 2007* A full day exploring the Acacus canyons where ancient rivers, now totally dried, were running and where lots of paintings and archaeological findings were discovered. GO.
	FROM ACACUS TO OUAN KASSA SAND DUNES 9 October* 2007* Last trips inside the Acacus to discover additional paintings and graffiti, before reaching the huge sand dunes of Ouan Kassa. GO.
	FROM OUAN KASSA TO MURZUK SAND DUNES 10 October* 2007* Once out from Ouan Kassa, we cross a desolate flat of black stones, before reaching the majestic dunes of Murzuk, made of pink, orange and yellow sands. GO.
	<YOU ARE HERE> THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF WADI MATHENDOUS 11 October* 2007* Trekking inside the bed of an ancient dried river, where beautiful archaeological findings dated about 8000 years ago were discovered.
	TRAVELING TO UBARI OASIS 12 October* 2007* From Murzuk we go back to Germa to buy additional provisions and to get some fuel, before visiting the ruins of ancient Germa and proceeding to Ubari oasis. GO.
	THE SALT LAKES OF UBARI OASIS 13 October* 2007* A full day going up & down on the sand dunes on foot and by 4x4, discovering the salt lakes of Ubari oasis. In the evening, we go back to Sebha, where our desert adventure ends. GO.
	LEPTIS MAGNA AND TRIPOLI 14 October* 2007* A short flight brings the group from Sebha to Tripoli, from where we reach the ruins of ancient roman city Leptis Magna. A short hike in Tripoli's suk follows. GO.

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