Ancient rock art depicts swimming men in the Sahara
The Cave of Swimmers, located in the southwest of Egypt, contains cave paintings dating back 9,000 years that depict people who appear to be swimming.
These works were discovered in 1926 by cartographer László Almásy on the Gilf Kebir plateau, an area that was once green and abundant with water.
The paintings suggest that the Sahara was once a lush oasis before transforming into the arid desert we know today.
The Gilf Kebir plateau, rich in sandstone, is considered an important archaeological and paleoclimatic site. Scholars believe that this remote and desert region was once characterized by a wetter climate that supported human and animal life. This supports the idea that the people who inhabited the area, belonging to prehistoric hunter-gatherer cultures, found a favorable environment with lakes, rivers, and abundant wildlife.
Researchers have long debated the meaning of the paintings. Some scholars believe the images are realistic depictions of everyday life, while others suggest a more metaphorical significance.
These paintings also became famous as they were featured in the movie "The English Patient."
