This
10,000- year-old engraving of two mythical creatures
in Libya is in imminent danger of crumbling from natural
causes (note slanting crack, top). Thousands of other
engravings here are also threatened by vibrations
from oil exploration activities in this remote area.
Two
names, Dennis and Patrick were scratched over these
millennia-old paintings in Western Kenya. An international
restoration expert had to be brought in to remove
the graffiti. Today, this site is a National Monument
protected by the law as well as by the local community.
A
Tuareg looks at 5000-year-old paintings in Algeria,
damaged by graffiti.
Rock
art theft and vandalism represent serious threats
to this heritage, especially in some north African
countries. Here a Moroccan expert displays the broken
remains of 4000-year-old engravings which thieves
tried to steal and smuggle out of the country.
Bullet-ridden
painting of a camel in western Chad. In some parts
of the Sahara rock art images are used for target
practice.
