ARCHEOLOGY AND ECO-TOURISM

The Rock Art of Jebel Ouesslat

Jebel Ouesslat is a large and imposing mountain range covering approximately 135,000 hectares and dominating the OUesslatia and Merguellil planes to the east, the plain of Kerouan to the west, and the valley of Haffouz to the south.

Although the region is difficult to reach and poor in water, Jebel Ouesslat has always known occupation. Prehistoric man's presence has been traced back to the most ancient times, at least 5,000 years before our times (Neolithic era).

This range contains and impressive quantity of dwellings dating from that era as well as a number of petroglyphs situated on the walls of caves and caverns. It represents, as far as we know to date, the richest area of rock art in Tunisia .

There is a plethoral of different styles and themes to be found. Through these paintings and/or petroglyphs, prehistoric man demonstrates the earlier existence of flora and fauna that has today disappeared in Tunisia .

Thus the white rhinoceros, the great ancient buffalo, the antilope, the giraffe, the hyena, and the ostrich once lived in our part of the world. Domesticated animals are also represented, some in fenced off pastures, such as cattle, goats, and sheep, the latter guarded by a well-known local domesticated dog – the Sloughi.

Invaluable details about prehistoric man's daily life at Jebel Ouesslat are thereby revealed. Other examples include the hunt (hunting scenes of Ain Khanfous) and family life (Dar Mellah). Other figures also appear, probably connected to spiritual life and perhaps the artist's conception of the origins of the world. 

Unfortunately, prehistoric cave paintings (rock art and petroglyph) are extremely vulnerable and are currently undergoing a progressive and irreversible degradation. 

The region of Jebel Ouesslat could be at one and the same time an exceptional ecological (fauna and flora) and archeological park.

Mme Nabiha Aouadi-Abdeljaouad-I.N.P
Mme Sophie Yahia-Acheche-Fac. des Lettres et des Sc. humaines de Kairouan

Words from kairouan.org

Speaking about Tunisia as a cradle of civilizations, a history going back 3,000 years has always been evoked, whereas our country is still overflowing with undiscovered treasures from the past. Human presence has been traced to 5,000 years ago, well documented in the region of Oueslatia.

It should be remembered that only 13 sites of rock art are mentioned on UNESCO's list of that type of archeological treasure. They are found in Algeria , Australia , Libya , Brazil , Mexico , Argentina , France , Italy , Portugal , Spain , Sweden , and Norway . There is no mention of sites in Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, the USA , or Canada .

IIt would be extremely useful if the authorities concerned with these national treasures could draw up a list of our national sites in order to send it to UNESCO for evaluation.

The caves of Djebel Ouslat could very possibly one day be classified fourth in Africa, after those of South Africa (Ukhahlamba/Drakensberg), Algeria (Tassili n'Ajjer), and Libya (Acacus).

It is hoped that the region of Oueslatia will in the very near future become a prime destination for eco-tourism of that type. Its distinctive and precious art cannot be recreated, and is rapidly disappearing due to the course of nature. It is imperative to find ways of protecting these petroglyphs in a form as close to possible to their original state

Mohamed Rebai
info@kairouan.org

Non-commercialized sites to visit :

Ksar Lamssa – Roman ruins
Hammam Sidi Maâmar (Hajeb) – thermal waters (good for skin)
Hammam Trazza – thermal waters (good for joints)
Hammam Sidi Brahim Zahar – thermal waters (good for liver function)

Réserve Touati (Nasrallah)-open to the public and boasting an eco-museum.
Réserve Cherichira (Haffouz)- Under renovation and boasting an eco-museum.
Réserve Zaghdoud ( Under construction).
Jebel Serj Natural scenery of unusual beauty

Village Serdiana (Sbikha)
Village
The Caves of Oueslatia
Jebel Oueslat Of unusual natural beauty.