Ancient Neolithic cultures in the central Sahara

The central Sahara's Neolithic period was remarkably ancient, paralleling developments in the Near East with significant advancements in pottery, agriculture, and animal domestication. Unlike the Near East, where these innovations are often attributed to complex social structures, the Saharan region's early adoption of pottery predates that of the Near East. Rock art emerges as a defining feature of this era, offering profound insights into Neolithic cultures. The Hoggar region, alongside Tassili n'Ajjer and Acacus, stands out as a crucial center of civilization, preserving numerous significant sites that attest to the region's rich cultural heritage.

Benbouzid, L. (2022). Ancient Neolithic cultures in the central Sahara. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/ZENODO.21761967