Prehistoric Art Vandalized

[Ahriman238]

In Libya, not the US this time.

Vandals have destroyed prehistoric rock art in lawless southern Libya, endangering a sprawling tableau of paintings and carvings classified by UNESCO as of "outstanding universal value".

Located along Libya's southwestern tip bordering Algeria, the Tadrart Acacus mountain massif is famous for thousands of cave paintings and carvings going back up to 14,000 years.

The art, painted or carved on rocks sandwiched by spectacular sand dunes, showcase the changing flora and fauna of the Sahara stretching over thousands of years.

Highlights include a huge elephant carved on a rock face as well as giraffes, cows and ostriches rendered in caves dating back to an era when the region was not inhospitable desert.

But in a visit to Libya's remote far south, Reuters found many paintings destroyed or damaged by graffiti sprayers or people carving in their initials.

Tourist officials in Ghat, the nearest large town, said the vandalism started around 2009 when a former Libyan employee of a foreign tour company sprayed over several paintings in anger after he had been fired.

But the destruction has accelerated since the 2011 civil war which ousted dictator Muammar Gaddafi and then plunged the sprawling North African country into widespread armed anarchy.

With tourist and archaeologists staying away on safety grounds, hunters have taken over the Acacus massif, shooting much of the wildlife across the arid, rugged landscape.

Weapons are available anywhere these days in a country where the central government based in Tripoli on the northern Mediterranean coast exerts scant authority and the nascent armed forces are no match for armed tribesmen and militias.

"The destruction is not just affecting the paintings but also the natural reserve. Hunters are to blame," said Ahmed Sarhan, a tourist ministry official in Ghat.

I've never heard of this place before now, but it sounds like quite the treasure.

[Venator]

I've never gotten the mentality of the type of person who damages historical treasures. As much as it's an enormous asshole move, I understand why the disgruntled former employee who started this would, because it gets back at their employer.

But sacking historical artwork just because? Other than no-brain bravado, the only actual motivation that comes to mind is a raised middle finger to the authorities and Westerners who consider it to be so valuable.

[Borgholio]

But sacking historical artwork just because? Other than no-brain bravado, the only actual motivation that comes to mind is a raised middle finger to the authorities and Westerners who consider it to be so valuable.

Several years back there was that thing where the Taliban destroyed a pair of massive ancient statues because they "offended Allah". So that's as good a motivation as any for destroying a priceless artifact...

[madd0ct0r]

your mistake is to think there has to be a motivation. If someone dosen't value a thing, he sees no issue with carving his name on it. Boredom is a curse and a blessing.

[Venator]

But sacking historical artwork just because? Other than no-brain bravado, the only actual motivation that comes to mind is a raised middle finger to the authorities and Westerners who consider it to be so valuable.

Several years back there was that thing where the Taliban destroyed a pair of massive ancient statues because they "offended Allah". So that's as good a motivation as any for destroying a priceless artifact...

Those statues I remember, and 'get' - they were dedicated to another religion, which was a big no-no for the Taliban. These cave paintings didn't have any overt religious significance. Madd0ct0r is probably right about the sad combination of small-mindedness and boredom.

[Thanas]

It has been a very bad two years for archaeology and history in general. Just reading about the stuff destroyed in Syria alone is enough to make me want to put every combatant there on a cross. Another thing which is not publicized so much is the growing illegal trade in artifacts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt, often coinciding with the destruction of monuments, whether by illegal or state-sponsored means. And this is not just a local problem - outside companies and nations are just as much to blame. Heck, the Chinese planned to demolish what is likely to be the most important buddhist monastery of all times until massive popular outcry caused them to delay that until the middle of 2014 (well, and the fact that the Chinese wanted to renege on most of the humanitarian aid, building conditions and payments they agreed on before).

EDIT: Oh, and the chinese company, being the uncultured barbarians they are, apparently are now putting pressure on the archeologists to finish early.

[Zixinus]

And this is why it is important to document and capture such historical treasures as soon as possible: you never know when you lose control over them and thus cease to be valuable information to you.

Even in stable countries, artifacts have been lost to misfiling errors, were stolen or destroyed in accidents.

Too bad about the cave paintings though. They sound interesting.