Uan Muhuggiag

Uan Muhuggiag is a significant archaeological site located in southwestern Libya, within the Tadrart Acacus range. This rock shelter was occupied from at least the 8th millennium BCE to around 2700 BCE, during the Neolithic and Chalcolithic periods. The site is notable for its stratified occupation layers, revealing a transition from a wet savannah environment to the arid Sahara desert. Among the key discoveries at Uan Muhuggiag is the Tashwinat mummy, a well-preserved child mummy predating known Egyptian mummies by a millennium. The site also features elaborate rock art, particularly the Round Head paintings, and remains of domestic animals indicating early pastoralist activities. These findings provide valuable insights into the prehistoric cultures of the Sahara, their adaptation to climatic changes, and possible interactions with other regions.