Tifinagh rock inscriptions in Central Sahara

Abstract

During a stay in a small Tuareg village in the south of Tamanrasset (Ahaggar, Algeria), a number of fifteen Tifinagh inscriptions has been observed, which were reportet here. Being accompanied by some Tuaregs from this area, we had an excellent opportunity to observe their difficulties in trying to read and understand the texts. So we were able to compare rock inscriptions with those of the current alphabet and appreciate certain aspects of the script’s evolution, focused on features such as the use of different signs.