TARA is an international, Nairobi-based organisation committed to recording the rich rock art heritage of the African continent, to making this information widely accessible and, to the extent possible, safeguarding those sites most threatened by humans and nature. To achieve its mission, TARA works closely with communities where rock art is found as well as with national and international heritage bodies including the UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Rock Art Safaris
News
Joan Travis Obituary, 2020
Rock Art Galleries
African Rock Art Image Project
People
Ancestors of the Kalahari San Bushmen.Discovery & Exploration
Every year TARA uncovers new rock art discoveries.Rock Art Drawings
A pipe-player at Pahi, Kondoa region, traced by Dr Mary Leakey in the 1950s. Courtesy of the Leakey Family.
Community Engagement
Community ownership for any project is critical for sustainability and support of the project during the initial implementation phase and long-term sustainability.Threats & Conservation
Rock art is fragile and irreplaceable. Protection of Africa's rock art heritage is a global priority.TARA Interactive Rock Art Map
Rock Art in the Green Sahara
The Sahara is the world's largest hot desert, spanning the entire northern part of Africa. Yet it hasn't always been dry - archaeological and geological research shows that it has undergone major climatic changes over thousands of years. Rock art is one of the best records of the life of past peoples who lived across the Sahara. It often depicts extraordinary images of life, landscape and animals that show a time when the Sahara was much greener and wetter than it is now.
Most of the rock art images and information in this video are from the TARA archive and were taken by David Coulson.Statement by Kofi Annan (R.I.P.)
Short video with Kofi Annan, former UN Secretary General, talking about conservation of Africa’s endangered rock art heritage.
TARA is sad to learn of the death of one of its supporters, Kofi Annan, on August 18th 2018 – a great African and a great man.
