The towering petroglyphs of the Ténéré desert

Hidden deep in the Ténéré desert, two enigmatic figures stand tall. For centuries, they’ve been lost to the passing sands of time, but a closer look reveals a tale that speaks of a different Africa. These are the Dabous Giraffes, ancient carvings that rise six meters into the air. For those who chance upon them, these impressive figures captivate the imagination and spark wonder. They are the largest known animal petroglyphs in the world, with carvings of two giraffes, one male and one female.

It’s believed that they were carved between 6,000 and 8,000 years ago, during the African humid period, when the Sahara was a vast savannah. The surrounding area boasts 828 images engraved on the rocks, including 704 animals like cattle, giraffes, and lions.

The giraffe carvings were first recorded by French archaeologist Christian Dupuy in 1987, and documented by David Coulson in 1997. Due to degradation resulting from human activity, a mold was made of the engravings for display, with an aluminum cast on display at the airport of Agadez. The Bradshaw Foundation is dedicated to their protection and preservation. In 2022, Nikos Solounias proposed that these engravings might depict a previously unknown species of giraffe, Giraffa sahara.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons