Pecked and carved animals and figures, Mestekawi Cave, Gilf Kebir, Egypt's Western desert.
The Gilf Kebir (meaning great barrier) in Egypts Western Desert is a limestone and sandstone plateau roughly the size of Switzerland. It rises 300 metres from the desert floor and is formed of two landmasses joined by an isthmus almost cut through by the Aqaba Pass. An ancient watershed draining water in all directions its wadis were eroded by water and then by wind and sand over 100,000 years. There are sheer cliffs to the south and southwest while in the Northeast cliffs have worn down to give us the great Sand Sea. Rock art first recorded by Hassanein Bey in 1923. Price Kemal el Din explored and mapped the area of the Gilf in 1925-6 then in the late 20’s both Almasy and Ralph Bagnold began their desert travels. Hans Winkler recorded some of the rock art sites in 1938. The Mestakawi Cave (Colonel Ahmed S. Al-Mestekawi ex army officer who made the discovery) also known as Foggini Cave is situated near Wadi Sura in the far south western corner of Egypt west of Gilf Kebir and close to the border of Libya. Only recently discovered the cave is in effect a rock overhang situated at the top of an enormous dune pressing against a cliff. The art is bright and clear protected from bright sunlight by the overhang. Much of the art goes below the sand line which has obviously ebbed and flowed over time. The wall is completely covered by painted prehistoric rock-art with a multitude of images encompassing hand prints, red figures, dancers, cattle, and other animals. Also we see pecked and carved animals including, antelope and other game.
Size: 5079px × 3386px
Location: Gilf Kebir, Egypt
Photo credit: © Mike P Shepherd / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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