Les gravures rupestres d’anthropomorphes du Dhar Néma

Abstract

In the refuge area of Dhar Nema (Mauritania), rock engravings of anthropomorphic figures help to understand the lifestyles of populations from the second half of the Holocene. These representations, that require an urgent study given their poor preservation, were found at Gedida (DN48), Tounfrin (DN60) and Tarf el Rjeimat (DN71). Two styles emerge from the stylistic analysis of these semi-schematic or schematic sets. Some of the men and women dotted on the cephalic or other rocks bear attributes, or are represented perched on animals. The interpretation of life scenes, done in taking account of the surrounding rock context of each engraving, depict populations where stock farming and hunting play an important role. A comparison with the neighbouring regional sets of Dhar Tichitt and Oualata shows strong similarities in the techniques, styles and depicted scenes. This allows for the identification of two main periods that underline the persistence of human occupation in these refuge areas. The oldest, which includes most of the figures, corresponds to the Neolithic occupation of the area, with human associated to cattle and oryx, or giraffes in the Dhar Nema. In the most recent period (post-Neolithic), horses and ostriches are depicted.

Keywords

• Neolithic
• postNeolithic
• rock engravings
• anthropomorphic figures