【Art & Design English-27】Rock Art in the Green Sahara (綠色撒哈拉的岩畫)

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. Natural climatic shifts brought the African monsoon rains further north, transforming the landscape. This period between 11,500 and 5,000 years ago is called the African Humid or Green Sahara period. Rain was far more abundant, and vast areas of the Sahara became savanna grasslands crossed by numerous waterways and lakes. People have lived in the Sahara for thousands of years, relying on these water systems, hunting, gathering, fishing, and later herding animals along its fertile corridors. Rock art is one of the best records of the lives 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. Some of the oldest rock art found in the Sahara is 8,000 to 12,000 years old. This period is called the Early Hunter period, and it often focuses on naturalistic engravings representing wild animals. Generally, large mammals represented are typical of the savanna or wetland environments that existed during the early Green Sahara. These engravings have been connected to hunter-gatherer fisher cultures who followed wild game and waterways across the Sahara. The Messak plateau in the central Sahara contains thousands of rock art engravings, including some of the oldest rock art in the Sahara. Found on this plateau is a large engraving depicting a crocodile walking with its hatchling, life-sized at more than two metres long, it dates back to a time when crocodiles were found in waterways before the Sahara became drier, around 5,000 years ago. There are still a few relic populations of crocodiles that can be found even today in isolated Oases. Here we can see an engraving showing the outlines of a human figure next to a large elephant. It is a good example of the naturalistic style of the early hunter period. The image probably depicts the savanna elephant, which roams the grassy plains and woodlands of the savanna and is now found largely in southern and eastern Africa. These two exceptional engravings of giraffes are in northeastern Niger. The area has been part of the trans-Saharan caravan trade for up to two millennia, but archaeological evidence shows much older occupation dating back over 8,000 years. The two giraffes are life-sized, measuring 5.4 meters. The engravings cannot be seen from ground level; they are only visible by climbing onto the outcrop. It is easy to imagine past peoples watching these long-necked, graceful animals in the former savanna below and immortalizing them in stone for future generations. Most rock art found today in the Sahara dates from the pastoral period, roughly 7,500 to 4,000 years ago. This type of rock art focuses on domesticated cattle and scenes of daily pastoral life. Animals began to be domesticated in the Sahara around 7,500 years ago and represent a major shift in lifestyle of the local people in a period that was progressively getting drier and less green. In the Tassili n'Ajjer plateau in Algeria is a site known as the crying cows. These skillfully engraved images depict long-horned cattle with carved teardrops appearing to roll down their faces. They're thought to date between 7,000 and 8,000 years ago when this environment was wetter. These engravings are incorporated in a local myth that tells of a shepherd who engraved them after being unable to find water for his herd. Climatic data shows a period of aridity around 8,000 years ago, which may coincide with these engravings and with the associated myth. Camels were present in North Africa from roughly 2,000 years ago, when the Sahara was as dry as it is today. Their ability to survive in harsh climates allowed major trans Saharan trade to flourish as people, goods, and ideas moved across the desert, and a new type of rock art developed. Now called the camel period. In addition to camels, subjects include highly stylized human figures, flocks of goats, caravans, palm trees, and hunting or battle scenes. This camel is part of a complex scene located in Chad on the southern edge of the Sahara, probably representing a camp with animal herds. Camels feature widely in rock art across the Sahara. Their resistance to heat and ability to survive with small amounts of water have made them key animals for inhabitants of the Sahara, deeply bound to their economy, material culture, and lifestyle. It is not surprising that camels are considered the ships of the desert, transporting people, commodities, and goods throughout the Sahara. Around 7,000 years ago, the Sahara began changing to a desert with natural climatic shifts. As it dried out, grasslands and lakes disappeared desertification processes were accelerated as vegetation, which helps generate rain, was lost, causing even less rain, and the soil lost its ability to hold moisture. The result: desert. As the Sahara dried out, rock art has become one of the best records of life in the past and the animals and humans that inhabited it for thousands of years. Although its original purpose and meanings have long since been lost, the expressive power of the engravings and paintings still remains, allowing us to gain a small view into the world of the people who lived in the Sahara thousands of years ago, when it was a sprawling green savanna. References (optional) Links 【Art & Design English- 02】What is Art For? Discussion Questions (Art) How great is your interest in art? What’s the best art gallery you’ve been to? Do you like modern art? What do you think of installation art? Do you ever think a lot of art is not really art? Do you have a favorite artist? What kind of art do you like – paintings, sculpture, ceramics, etc.? What is art? Does art change the way you think or feel? Do you think anyone can be an artist or do you need a special talent? Do you think all children should study art at school? Do you think children should learn the history of art? Do you think a painting can really be worth a million (or more) dollars? Do you think today’s artists are as good as those from hundreds of years ago? What was the last painting/poster/piece of art you bought? Why did you buy it? Describe the pieces of artwork in your house. What kind of art is your country famous for? What kind of life do you think an artist’s is? Do you have any artistic talents? How would the world be different without artists? Discussion Questions (Design) How would you define design? How do you know if something is designed well? Do you think design is important? Why? Have you ever designed anything? What are some well-designed products? What are some poorly designed products? Are there any designers you admire? Have you done any interior design in your home? What are some examples of good design that you appreciate? Why? How does design influence our daily experiences and interactions with products and environments? Can you think of any iconic designs or designers that have made a significant impact on society? What are some key principles or elements of design? How does cultural and historical context influence design aesthetics? Can you describe a design project or process that you have been involved in or observed? How does user experience (UX) design contribute to the functionality and usability of products and services? What role does sustainability play in design? Share examples of environmentally conscious design practices. How can design be used to solve social and humanitarian challenges? What are some current trends in design that you find interesting? How does technology influence the field of design? Discuss the impact of digital tools and software. Can you think of any examples of design that have sparked controversy or provoked discussions? How can design be inclusive and accessible to people with diverse abilities and backgrounds? Can you share any examples of designs that evoke specific emotions or create a particular atmosphere? How does design differ across various disciplines, such as graphic design, industrial design, or interior design? What are some ethical considerations in design? Discuss the responsibility of designers towards users and society. Can you think of any design failures or instances where poor design affected the user experience? What lessons can be learned from them? How can design thinking be applied beyond traditional design fields to problem-solving and innovation? What skills and qualities do you think are essential for a successful career in design? How has technology influenced the field of graphic design in recent years? Can you think of any examples of design that successfully blend form and function? Explain why they are effective. How does cultural diversity influence design aesthetics and the portrayal of different cultures in design? What are some key considerations in designing user interfaces for mobile applications? Can you describe a design project that aims to address sustainability or environmental issues? How does typography contribute to the overall design and message of printed materials? What are some effective ways to gather user feedback during the design process? How can color psychology be utilized in design to evoke specific emotions or convey certain messages? Can you think of any examples where design played a crucial role in shaping a company’s brand identity? What are the main differences between designing for print media and designing for digital media? How can design be used to improve accessibility for individuals with disabilities? Can you describe a design trend that you find intriguing? Why do you think it has gained popularity? How does packaging design influence consumer perception and purchasing decisions? What ethical considerations should designers keep in mind when creating advertisements or marketing materials? How has social media influenced the field of design and the way designers showcase their work? Can you think of any innovative design solutions that have improved people’s lives in developing countries? What are some challenges in designing for virtual reality (VR) or augmented reality (AR) experiences? How does design impact the gaming industry, particularly in terms of user interface and user experience? Can you describe a famous architectural design that has become an iconic landmark? What makes it significant? How do cultural symbols and icons influence design choices, especially in international contexts? Discussion Questions (Art Culture) How often do you go to art museums? Do you consider yourself to be artistic? What do you think about modern art paintings? How many forms of art can you name? What is your favorite form of art? Is graffiti art? Why or why not? What is the most famous statue in your country? Who is your favorite artist? Why do you like them so much? Do you think that art is important to society? Why? Have you ever tried drawing, painting, sculpting, or something else artistic? What is the most famous painting in your country? What is traditional art like in your culture? What country do you think is the most creative? Why is art so expensive? Do you think it should be more, or less, expensive? Do you have any artistic friends? What kinds of art do they create?