Archaeologists in southern Libya have announced the discovery of prehistoric rock art, estimated to be around 10,000 years old, in the Al-Hasawna Mountains near the city of Sebha. First reported by a local resident, the engravings have since attracted national interest for their cultural and historical significance.

Specialists from the Department of Antiquities and heritage experts have confirmed the site as a major prehistoric landmark in the region.

The carvings correspond to several known phases of Saharan rock art found across Libya, including the Round Head, Buffalo, Horse, and Camel traditions. Each phase reflects different periods of settlement, environmental change, and cultural transformation in the Sahara.

Among the most striking depictions are human figures with abstract, circular heads, typical of the Round Head period, which dates to between 10,000 and 6,000 years ago.

Later carvings portray cattle, horses, and camels, illustrating the transition of life in the desert from hunter-gatherer groups to pastoral and trading societies.

To safeguard the site, the Southern Region Tourist Police and Antiquities Protection Agency have secured the area against vandalism and looting, while legal measures are underway to designate it as a protected cultural heritage zone.

Archaeologists believe the site sheds rare light on Libya’s deep prehistoric heritage and could become one of the country’s most significant rock art locations. Despite decades of conflict and neglect, Libya’s vast desert continues to reveal discoveries that highlight its role as a center of early Saharan civilization.

Officials stressed that the find is not only about uncovering the past but also about reinforcing cultural identity, advancing education, and preserving Libya’s heritage for future generations.