Discovered by chance, protected because it had to be, and absolutely worth seeing because… well, just because!
In the second home of Sto Gran Tour, there’s a place unlike any other in the world: Twyfelfontein.
Never heard of it?
That’s not great, because this is where some of the most important rock engravings in human history have been preserved for thousands of years.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered: in this article, we’ll give you a mega refresher on the site and the art that makes it so special. Since we’re nice, we won’t quiz you at the end of this little lesson. But you’d better pay attention, okay?
LET’S GO!
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Who discovered the Twyfelfontein engravings?
Picture the scene: you’re in Namibia, in the Damaraland region, looking for a good place to graze your cows. You’re wandering around here and there when suddenly: BAM, one of Africa’s richest treasures of rock art appears before you.
That’s exactly what happened to David Levin in the middle of the last century at Twyfelfontein. Yes, David, who, while searching for the perfect place for his cattle, discovered a collection of rock engravings so impressive they could give the Louvre a run for its money.
Of course, his discovery attracted hordes of archaeologists, academics, and curious visitors. And the study of the engravings immediately revealed that they date back as far as 6,000 years and were created by San hunter-gatherers, who clearly found time for art between one hunt and the next.
Despite the importance of the discovery, UNESCO took quite a while to seriously turn its attention to Twyfelfontein, but in 2007 it finally stepped in and declared the site a World Heritage Site. About time…
From that moment on, Twyfelfontein gained the global recognition it deserves and, above all, the right to protection alongside the greatest treasures in human history.
But why does this area have such a strange name?
We wondered the same thing, and after a bit of digging, we found the answer.
Once again, it all goes back to our friend David who, when he settled in the area, noticed a spring that never seemed to provide enough water for him, his family, and his livestock. The poor guy worried about it so much that a friend of his (if we can call him that) nicknamed it “Twyfelfontein,” which means doubtful spring in Afrikaans.
Years later, David was apparently rewarded for his choice, because he earned enough money to buy the land where he had settled, which he decided to name after his nickname: Twyfelfontein.
These engravings are beautiful, but how were they made and what do they represent?
Okay, David was an interesting character, but let’s not get distracted and get back to the rock engravings.
Those of Twyfelfontein are among the oldest and most sophisticated expressions of rock art in Africa, dating back, as we’ve seen, around 6,000 years.
The ancient artists used different techniques, including deep and shallow pecking, to create the images. This method involved striking the rock surface with stone tools to remove the desert varnish and reveal the lighter rock underneath. In other words, it took a huge amount of patience, but it allowed the creators to produce even false shading and relief effects, suggesting an advanced understanding of artistic techniques and a desire to express complex ideas.
All very fascinating, but what exactly is shown in these engravings?
A lot of things, but animals clearly dominate the scene: giraffes, rhinos, elephants, ostriches, and lions fill the imagination of those who carved these stones. Particularly famous is the engraving of a lion with an upright tail, believed to represent a shaman or a divine figure.
Human figures are less common, but they do appear in different postures and actions. Geometric and symbolic motifs have also been found, including circles and pecked lines.
And now for a twist you probably didn’t expect.
We’ve already told you several times that the engravings date back 6,000 years, right?
Well, not exactly!
Or rather, that’s true for most of them, but not all. In fact, it is believed that the oldest may date back as far as 10,000 years, and their creation continued for a very long time, apparently ending with the arrival of pastoral tribes around 1000 AD.
The conservation challenge of the Twyfelfontein engravings
Preserving the rock engravings of Twyfelfontein is no easy task.
The main causes are linked to natural erosion and human damage. On the one hand, exposure to weather such as wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations can lead to the deterioration of the engravings, despite the hardness of the sandstone rocks.
On the other hand, there are those who seem to think touching everything is a great idea: tourists!
To reduce these risks, various measures have been put in place, including marked paths, informative signs, and expert guides who accompany visitors.
Twyfelfontein’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 encouraged a series of protection initiatives, including regular monitoring programs to assess the condition of the engravings and allow timely intervention when necessary. In addition, partnerships have been established with international organizations to secure technical and financial support.
Will we manage, for once, not to mess up one of the most fascinating human creations in the world?
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In conclusion
The rock engravings of Twyfelfontein are like the graffiti of the area’s ancient inhabitants, and thanks to good old David Levin, today it’s possible to admire them in all their splendor. Not bad for a completely accidental discovery.
These ancient drawings, showing animals and intriguing symbols, give us an idea of how these people lived and what they thought thousands of years ago. Each engraving tells a small story of life that has remained untouched over time. It’s a bit like finding the secret diary of someone who lived here thousands of years ago.
Does this window into the past intrigue you, where ancient art offers a glimpse into a history perhaps even older?
Well, you should know that Damaraland and the Twyfelfontein engravings are a must-see stop on our group trip to Namibia: 13 days during which, in addition to this spectacular location, we’ll visit many other incredible places, such as Etosha National Park, the Skeleton Coast, and Deadvlei, the valley of death!
Exciting, right?
And that’s all. We’ve told you lots of interesting things about Twyfelfontein and introduced you to a tour unlike any other: now it’s your turn.
Book your spot on the next departure: we’re off to Namibia!!!
