Writing the desert: the ‘Tifinagh’ rock inscriptions of the Tadrart Acacus (southwestern Libya)

Rock inscriptions in the Tadrart Acacus, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southwestern Libya, reveal significant insights into Saharan writing systems. The study highlights the potential of 'Tifinagh' inscriptions as tools for interpreting landscape history, integrating them with traditional archaeological approaches. Recent efforts, supported by the British Library's Endangered Archives Programme, have expanded the documentation of these inscriptions, addressing long-standing challenges in dating and decipherment. While preliminary findings underscore their role in reconstructing human activity, future research aims to deepen understanding through refined analytical methods.

Biagetti, S., Kaci, A. A., Mori, L., & di Lernia, S. (2012). Writing the desert: the ‘Tifinagh’ rock inscriptions of the Tadrart Acacus (southwestern Libya). Azania: Archaeological Research in Africa, 47(2), 153–174. https://doi.org/10.1080/0067270x.2012.674323