Kel Essuf Period

Kel Essuf rock art is the earliest form of engraved anthropomorphic Central Saharan rock art,^[1] which was produced prior to 9800 BP,^[2] at least as early as 12,000 BP amid the late period of the Pleistocene.^[3] The Kel Essuf Period is preceded by the Bubaline Period and followed by the Round Head Period.^[2] Kel Essuf rock art usually depicts oval-shaped artforms, which possess four short appendages – two upper appendages, or arms, that may have between three and four finger-like digits, and two lower appendages, or legs – as well as an additional appendage, or penile appendage, without finger-like digits, which may be indicative of maleness.^[4] Concealed remnants of dismantled furnished flooring are found in 75% of the Central Saharan rockshelters where Kel Essuf rock artforms are found.^[5] The furnished flooring in these rockshelters were likely created for the purpose of collecting water and were subsequently dismantled after the earliest Round Head rock art began to be created.^[5] The Kel Essuf rock art tradition of engraving may have developed into^[1] the monumental^[6] Round Head rock art tradition of painting.^[1] Round Head rock art bears considerable similarity with traditional Sub-Saharan African cultures.^[7][8][1][9]