Twyfelfontein
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Twyfelfontein or /Ui-//aes* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
 Twyfelfontein carvings |
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | iii, v |
| Reference | 1255 |
| Region† | Africa |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2007 (31st Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. † Region as classified by UNESCO. |
|
Twyfelfontein is a site in the Kunene Region of Namibia containing 2,000 figures of rock carvings. In 2007, UNESCO approved it as Namibia's first World Heritage Site.[1]
[edit] Artworks
The figures at Twyfelfontein were created over the course of two thousand years, before 1000 AD. The hunter-gatherers who lived in the region created them as part of their rituals. The carvings represent rhinoceroses, elephants, ostrichs and giraffes as well as depictions of human and animal footprints. Some of the figures notably the "Lion Man" depict the transformation of humans into animals.[2]
Archaeologists have dug objects from two parts of the site including stone artefacts, pendants and beads. Twyfelfontein also contains six rock shelters containing depictions of humans painted in red ochre.[2]
The creation of new works was probably ended by the arrival of pastoral tribes around 1000 AD.[2]
 Twyfelfontein landscapes |
 Twyfelfontein rocks |
[edit] References
 |
This Namibia location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
