Page 86 - Off The Tourist Trail - 1000 Unexpected Travel Alternatives (Part 2 of 2)

254 6 MORE ROCKART SITES TO RIVAL LASCAUX

ART AND CULTURE Jebel Acacus Creswell Crags Gobustan 3644*"

NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
NEED TO KNOW
LOCATION Gobustan is
LOCATION Creswell is
LOCATION Jebel
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22 miles (35 km) north of
around 30 miles (50 km)
Acacus is around 100 miles
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(160 km) southeast of
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southwest of Baku, capital
Nottingham in the East
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Ghat in Libya
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DATING FROM
DATING FROM
DATING FROM
Around 8000 to 3000 BC
Around 8000 BC
12,000 BC to AD 100
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DAYTIME +&#&- "$"$64 DAYTIME $3&48&-- DAYTIME
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TEMPERATURES TEMPERATURES *3&-"/% /PUUJOHIBN TEMPERATURES
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Jan: 55°F (13°C); Apr: 77°F "M ,VGSBI Jan: 39°F (4°C); Apr: 46°F ,*/(%0. Jan: 40°F (4°C); Apr: 54°F $BTQJBO
(25°C); Jul: 88°F (31°C); /*(&3 (8°C); Jul: 61°F (16°C); -POEPO (12°C); Jul: 79°F (26°C); *3"/ -BOLFSBO 4FB
Oct: 76°F (24°C) $)"% Oct: 51°F (11°C) Oct: 61°F (16°C)
Tucked away in Libya’s remote southwestern England is not particularly known for its rock art, The Gobustan (or Qobustan) State Reserve has an
corner, the Jebel Acacus region (also known as so there was considerable excitement in 2003 estimated 6,000 petroglyphs, scattered amidst the
Tadrart Akakus, tadrart being the Berber word for when prehistoric paintings showing bison, birds, rocky outcrops and caves that dot the desert
“mountain”) is home to one of the world’s greatest and an ibex were discovered at Creswell Crags, landscape southwest of Baku. Carvings include
collections of prehistoric art. There are thousands the only example of Ice Age rock art so far depictions of hunters, animals, battles, and
of rock and cave paintings here in a wide range discovered in the country. Paintings apart, the dancers, as well as a famous image of a reed boat
of styles, dating from 12000 BC to AD 100 and Crags offer a rich insight into life during the last which led Norwegian ethnologist Thor Heyerdahl
showing changing ways of life in the Sahara, Ice Age, between 50,000 and 10,000 years ago. to suggest that Scandinavians might originally
along with depictions of local flora and fauna. The caves here, carved by centuries of erosion have come from this region. Gobustan is also
The area’s fantastical desert scenery is another out of the flanks of a beautiful limestone gorge, known for its belching cold mud volcanoes, and
major attraction, with sweeping sand dunes, rock were used by hunters as a temporary camp during for curious musical stones, which produce strange
arches, the stumps of eroded mountains, and a their seasonal pursuit of herds of migrating sounds when struck with a smaller stone, often
labyrinth of twisting wadis (dry river valleys). mammoths, bison, and reindeer. Creswell is one compared to the noise of a tambourine.
of the most northerly points they ever reached.
Practical Information Practical Information
Getting There and Around Fly to Libya’s capital, Tripoli, then take an Practical Information Getting There and Around Fly to Baku, then continue by bus to Gobustan
onward domestic flight to Ghat (575 miles/ 925 km away). Domestic Getting There and Around The nearest international airport is the East town, some 30 miles (50 km) away. Alternatively, arrange for a vehicle
transfers must be arranged through a Libyan tour operator. Midlands airport near Nottingham. London to Nottingham by train takes with a driver to take you to the site.
When to Go The cooler winter months (Oct–Feb) can be surprisingly about 2 hours. There are train and bus links from Nottingham to Creswell When to Go From April to June the weather is pleasant but not too hot.
temperate, although nights can be teeth-chatteringly cold. station and the Crags respectively. Website www.window2baku.com/eng/Ancient/9gobustan.htm
Website http://looklex.com/libya/acacus.htm When to Go May to September offers the best chance of good weather,
though it may rain at any time of year. Book in advance for cave tours. Striking petroglyphs at Gobustan, showing what seem to be hunters
in pursuit of a horned animal, Azerbaijan
Delicately painted figures at Wadi Anshal appearing to depict Websitewww.creswellcrags.org.uk
musicians, dancers, and feasting as well as hunters and animals, Libya
Dramatic limestone cliffs riddled with caves and crevices, typical of
the scenery at Creswell Crags, UK

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