Tassili n'Ajjer

UNESCO World Heritage Site

Tassili n'Ajjer
Name as inscribed on the World Heritage List
Landsat multilayer image of the Tassili n'Ajjer
Type	Mixed
Criteria	i, iii, vii, viii
Reference	179
UNESCO region	Arab States
Coordinates	25°45′N 8°15′E / 25.750°N 8.250°E / 25.750; 8.250Coordinates: 25°45′N 8°15′E / 25.750°N 8.250°E / 25.750; 8.250
Inscription history
Inscription	1982 (6th Session)
Location of Tassili n'Ajjer in Algeria.

Tassili n'Ajjer (Berber: Tasili n Ajjer, meaning "Plateau of the Rivers"; Arabic: طاسيلي ناجر‎‎) is a mountain range in the Algerian section of the Sahara Desert. It is a vast plateau in south-east Algeria at the borders of Libya and Niger, covering an area of 72,000 km².

The range is also noted for its prehistoric rock art and other ancient archaeological sites, dating from the Neolithic era when the local climate was less dry, savannah rather than desert. The art is no older than 9–10 millennia, according to OSL dating of associated sediments, but may be younger. The art depicts herds of cattle, large wild animals including crocodiles, and human activities such as hunting and dancing. According to UNESCO, "The exceptional density of paintings and engravings...have made Tassili world famous as from 1933, the date of its discovery. 15,000 engravings have been identified to date."

The Tassili n'Ajjer range extends from 26°20′N 5°00′E / 26.333°N 5.000°E / 26.333; 5.000 east-south-east to 24°00′N 10°00′E / 24.000°N 10.000°E / 24.000; 10.000, and the highest point is Adrar Afao, 2158 m, at 25°10′N 8°11′E / 25.167°N 8.183°E / 25.167; 8.183. The nearest town is Djanet, about 10 km southwest of the range. Much of the range, including the cypresses and archaeological sites (see below), is protected in a National park, Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site, named the Tassili n'Ajjer National Park.