Vandalised rock art

Modern graffiti over prehistoric rock art at Rekeiz Lemgassem , Western Sahara. The number over the head of the giraffe appears to be the personnel number of a member of the MINURSO peacekeeping force. MINURSO personnel have been implicated in extensive vandalism at this site and also at the site of Lajuad. Since the vandalism at Lajuad was widely publicised in January 2007 MINURSO have taken some steps to try and prevent further vandalism. The larger graffiti towards the bottom of the image was apparently created by a nomadic family camped at the site.

See the Sand & Dust blog for more details about the vandalism of rock art sites in Western Sahara.

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Comments

harry harris says:

Ach, well - in a few thousand years it'll all be rock art.

Not that the cockroaches will be able to appreciate it..
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

NPJB says:

...an issue discussed in the comments on the Times article that dealt with the vandalism back in January. The giraffe is just so much prettier, heritage issues aside.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Algeria888 ( 1 2 3 VIVA L'ALGERIE ) says:

i am so sorry about what is happening their . really i got no word or words to express myself :O (
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

NPJB says:

Things have improved since we publicised the damage early in 2007. MINURSO were very embarrassed and I've heard that both the civilian and military leadership were very angry at the behaviour of their personnel, and that the perpetrators have been dismissed in disgrace. (While I've spoken to the civilian leadership in MINURSO, most of the information about what is happening on the ground (dismissal of staff etc) comes from third parties.) The Polisario have established a checkpoint at this site and now control access, and that seems to have prevented further damage. So there is some hope - both the Polisario and MINURSO are taking the preservation of these sites much more seriously now. We can just keep our fingers crossed that this will have the desired effect.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Algeria888 ( 1 2 3 VIVA L'ALGERIE ) says:

i'll cross my fingers too...i do think that you are achieving positive things on the ground . a big good luck and please keep your work up :o )
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

NPJB says:

Thanks for your kind words and support! We'll continue to do what we can to help with raising awareness, and discouraging abuse, of archaeological sites.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Canon PowerShot SX100 IS.
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Taken on December 2, 2008
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Vandalised rock art

Comments

harry harris says:

NPJB says:

Algeria888 ( 1 2 3 VIVA L'ALGERIE ) says:

NPJB says:

Algeria888 ( 1 2 3 VIVA L'ALGERIE ) says:

NPJB says:

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