561

Site
Site name
RA01/74
Toponym(s) of the site

Teshuinat IV-V

Description

A long sequence of interlayer shelters located around the mid-left bank of the Wadi Teshuinat at the confluence with the Wadi Kessan. The site faces Teshuinat II (Site ID 569) and Tagzelt (Site ID 570), both located on the opposite bank. It comprises a series of small contiguous shelters with walls oriented in different directions and densely decorated with dozens of paintings in various styles: from the final phases of the Pastoral to Modern Camel. The paintings were reproduced on two large canvases in the Mori collection that display an abridged selection of motifs and a chaotic imitation of the spatial arrangement. The canvases, published as Teshuinat IV and V, reproduce the eastern and southern paintings, respectively. At least twenty-three panels were identified: twelve in the eastern section and twenty-one in the southern one. Their extremely critical state of conservation is owed to natural processes and anthropogenic actions and unfortunately hinders a full reconstruction of the original artistic composition. Parts of the motifs have been wetted and traced with graphite to facilitate their reproduction. Some of the motifs were also retouched and modified through the millennia and now form an intricate palimpsest. The hunt is the most represented theme: giraffe and Barbary sheep hunting scenes occur in both areas in different parts of the site (Panels 4, 6, 8, 14, 18, and 20). Pastoral and fighting scenes are also present (panels 5, 9, 16, 19, and 20) as well as some convivial scenes (Panels 1, 2, and 20). Kettles, cupules, and grooves are scattered around the site.