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.

Durante la estancia en una pequeña aldea tuareg al sur de Tamanrasset (Ahaggar, Argelia) pudimos documentar un total de quince inscripciones tifinaγ, que se presentan en esta comunicación. Siendo acompañados por algunos tuaregs de la zona tuvimos además una excelente oportunidad para observar sus dificultades tratando de leer y comprender dichos textos. De esta manera pudimos comparar las inscripciones rupestres con el uso del tifinaγ actual y apreciar ciertos aspectos de la evolución de la escritura, fundamentalmente en el uso de diferentes signos.