Publications
Book 89-90 - BRm Ecological Rupture Model - Algeria Tell & Saharan Atlas - V90 Corrected and Reproducible
A revised and automated ecological assessment of Algeria's Tell and Saharan Atlas regions, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Tassili n'Ajjer, reveals significant variations in ecological resilience under anthropic pressure. The corrected BRm Ecological Rupture Model (V90) recalculates and cross-checks 10 sites, identifying Tassili n'Ajjer as having a notably low vulnerability score of 0.21, indicating high resilience. This update addresses prior errors in the model (V89), ensuring reproducibility through automated verification. The study highlights the model's utility in quantifying ecological disruption across diverse landscapes, from the Djurdjura mountains to the Ahaggar Central region.
Geoheritage as a Tool for Environmental Education: Towards the Development of Sustainable Geotourism in Algeria – The Case of Tassili N’Ajjer
Tassili n'Ajjer, Algeria's spectacular geological plateau, holds significant potential for sustainable geotourism and environmental education when integrated into school curricula. A study involving 500 students and 80 faculty from two universities revealed high student interest in geo-heritage but low formal instruction. Faculty expressed enthusiasm for integrating geo-heritage teaching but noted institutional support gaps. Tassili n'Ajjer was identified as an ideal location for educational tours due to its geological and cultural importance, suggesting that enhanced visibility of Algeria's geosites could foster more informed and responsible tourism, aligning with sustainable development goals.
Solar Reflection Geometry of the Great Pyramid of Giza: A Proposed Optical Alignment with the Richat Structure, Mauritania
A novel analysis reveals that the Great Pyramid of Giza's western face, when illuminated at a specific solar elevation (13.6°), reflects sunlight horizontally toward the Richat Structure ('Eye of the Sahara') in Mauritania with remarkable precision—deviating only 2.84° from due west. This alignment, calculated using spherical geometry and solar optics, suggests intentional optical design. Two ancient sites, Siwa Oasis (Egypt) and Tassili n'Ajjer (Algeria), lie along the same bearing between Giza and Richat, further supporting this hypothesis. The study proposes that these geometric relationships warrant physical investigation of the Richat Structure and its potential cultural or astronomical significance.
Discovery of New Fish Depictions in the Central Sahara (Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau – Algeria)
A new catalog of fish depictions from the Tassili n'Ajjer Plateau, Algeria, reveals the significance of fishing in Holocene Saharan subsistence. These images, re-examined using DStretch digital technology, provide clearer insights into the aquatic life and human activities of early inhabitants during a humid phase around 10,000 years ago. The study also revisits earlier depictions where species identification was unclear, contributing to a deeper understanding of this understudied topic.
Ancient Neolithic cultures in the central Sahara
The central Sahara's Neolithic period was remarkably ancient, paralleling developments in the Near East with significant advancements in pottery, agriculture, and animal domestication. Unlike the Near East, where these innovations are often attributed to complex social structures, the Saharan region's early adoption of pottery predates that of the Near East. Rock art emerges as a defining feature of this era, offering profound insights into Neolithic cultures. The Hoggar region, alongside Tassili n'Ajjer and Acacus, stands out as a crucial center of civilization, preserving numerous significant sites that attest to the region's rich cultural heritage.
Floral Ontogenesis and Embryogenesis Features of the Relic Wild Laperrine's Olive (Olea Europaea SSP Laperrinei) in Arid Central Sahara
A unique adaptation in the relic wild Laperrine's olive (Olea europaea subsp. laperrinei), endemic to Tassili n'Ajjer and Ahaggar, has been identified through detailed analysis of its floral ontogenesis and zygotic embryogenesis. This study reveals significant imperfections in the female gametophyte, often absent or lacking nuclei, suggesting an evolutionary response to extreme arid conditions. Unlike previous genetic and phylogenetic studies that focused on reproductive methods, this research delves into cytological and histological changes during early embryogenesis, providing new insights into the species' resilience and its potential as a genetic resource for cultivated olives.
On the presence of the African catfish Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) Siluriformes Clariidae) in south-eastern Algeria (Ifni-Illizi)
A significant discovery of the African catfish Clarias anguillaris (Linnaeus, 1758) in Guelta Ifni, Tassili n'Ajjer National Park, southeastern Algeria, was documented through experimental fisheries in August 2019. This finding expands the known distribution of the species on the African continent and updates the inventory of freshwater fish in southern Algeria. The study analyzed 16 morphometric variables and three meristic traits from two male specimens to confirm the identification, reinforcing its status as a Least Concern (LC) taxon on the IUCN Red List. This research contributes to broader biodiversity mapping efforts by providing new locality data for this widespread but understudied species.
The Earliest Berbers in the Sahara: In the Central Sahara between 3000 and 1000 BC
Archaeological evidence reveals that the earliest Berber groups migrated into the central Sahara between 3000 and 2000 BC, coinciding with a period of relative humidity before the region's shift to aridity. These groups, likely originating from the east and north, spread across Tassili n'Ajjer, leaving behind intricate rock art that stands among the world's finest Neolithic representations. The study suggests that Black population groups dominated the Sahara during earlier pastoral phases, but Berber populations became prominent later, benefiting from favorable climatic conditions. Research relied on archaeological analysis of artifacts and rock art to reconstruct historical demographic shifts.
A világ természetvédelmének története 1986 és 1990 között (védett területek alapítása)
Between 1986 and 1990, the global establishment of protected areas saw a decline from 6,174 to 4,412 sites, with Germany leading in their creation (846 sites). While the total area remained stable, the diversity of national categories increased by 278. Notably, this period included the designation of significant sites such as La Amistad National Park (Costa Rica), Mantadia National Park (Madagascar), and Tassili n'Ajjer National Park (Algeria)—all now UNESCO World Heritage Sites—highlighting its importance in conservation history. The study, analyzing IUCN categories, reveals that 47.5% of newly established areas fell under Category IV (Protected Landscapes), with most being small (<100 ha). Hungary contributed 37 sites, including the Gödöllői Dombság Landscape Protection Area.
Ordovician shallow-marine tidal sandwaves in Algeria – the application of coeval outcrops to constrain the geometry and facies of a discontinuous, high-quality gas reservoir
A high-quality, discontinuous gas reservoir interval in the Tiguentourine field of Algeria's Illizi Basin has been characterized through comparison with coeval outcrops in Tassili n'Ajjer. The study reveals that this thin (<12 m), shallow-marine sandstone unit—unresolvable on seismic data and variably developed subsurface—exhibits tidal sandwave geometries with wavelengths >100 m, documented via Landsat imagery and outcrop analysis. These findings explain the reservoir's patchy distribution and high exploration risk by linking facies variations to modern marine analogs. The research bridges subsurface reservoir modeling with surface exposures, offering critical insights for predicting this challenging target in Ordovician proglacial settings.
Direct 14 C Dating of Early and Mid-Holocene Saharan Pottery
A groundbreaking study directly radiocarbon-dated pottery from Tassili n'Ajjer, revealing ages spanning 5270 ± 35 BP to 8160 ± 45 BP (6276–9190 cal BP), marking the transition from pre-Pastoral to Pastoral contexts during the early-mid Holocene. The research employed a combined geochemical and microscopic approach to isolate plant material in pottery, providing reliable 14C ages that align with typological chronologies. This method not only confirms the potential of vegetal temper in pottery for dating Saharan archaeological sites but also sheds light on the cultural shifts during the Holocene transition.
Direct 14C Dating of Early and Mid-Holocene Saharan Pottery
Radiocarbon dating of pottery from Tassili n'Ajjer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the central Sahara, reveals ages spanning 8160 ± 45 BP to 5270 ± 35 BP, providing critical insights into the early-mid Holocene transition. This study demonstrates that plant material used as temper in pottery can yield reliable 14C dates, correlating with typological chronologies and confirming a shift from pre-Pastoral to Pastoral contexts during this period. The research combines geochemical and microscopic analysis to isolate plant material for dating, offering a novel approach to understanding Saharan prehistoric cultures.
Surviving in Mountain Climate Refugia: New Insights from the Genetic Diversity and Structure of the Relict Shrub Myrtus nivellei (Myrtaceae) in the Sahara Desert
Clonal reproduction and high genetic diversity persist in Myrtus nivellei, a relict shrub endemic to Saharan mountain ranges, despite severe range contraction during the last aridification phase. This suggests that population connectivity was likely maintained during past humid periods, contradicting expectations of significant genetic isolation due to habitat fragmentation. Researchers analyzed 215 individuals from 23 wadis across three Algerian mountain ranges using nuclear microsatellites and AFLP markers, revealing low isolation-by-distance within ranges but strong structuring among them. The study highlights the resilience of relict species in climate refugia and provides insights into their survival strategies under environmental change.
Valorisation du patrimoine, tourisme et développement territorial en Algérie : cas des régions de Béjaïa en Kabylie et Djanet dans le Tassili n'Ajjer
Tourism-driven heritage valorization in Algeria shows divergent impacts on territorial development between Kabylie (Béjaïa) and Tassili n'Ajjer (Djanet). While Béjaïa's approach relies on limited generic resources, lacks strong local integration, and shows minimal territorial linkage, Djanet demonstrates a promising model of sustainable development. This is evidenced by the mobilization of specific regional resources, active Tuareg participation, localized learning dynamics, effective tourism regulation, and international openness—factors absent in Béjaïa's underdeveloped tourism sector. The study highlights that successful heritage-led tourism requires tailored strategies, local actor engagement, and institutional proximity to foster territorial development.
Channelized sandstone bodies (‘cordons’) in the Tassili N'Ajjer (Algeria & Libya): snapshots of a Late Ordovician proglacial outwash plain
A Late Ordovician proglacial outwash plain, preserved in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Tassili n'Ajjer (Algeria & Libya), reveals fossilized networks of braided and anastomosed channels formed by high-magnitude flood events. These channelized sandstone bodies, or 'cordons,' exhibit ribbon-like forms with widths ranging from 60 to 600 meters and thicknesses from 5 to 30 meters, offering a unique snapshot of an unconfined outwash braidplain. The study combines satellite imagery, sedimentary logs, and photomosaics to analyze the architecture and facies of these features, which indicate they were deposited during glacier outbursts within a sand-dominated deltaic topset succession.
Gestion durable des ressources naturelles et culturelles dans l'extrême sud-est algérien. Cas d'étude : le parc national du Tassili n'Ajjer
Tassili n'Ajjer, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in southeastern Algeria, faces significant challenges in sustainable management of its natural and cultural resources. This study identifies critical gaps in the protection and governance of the region, which is renowned for its unique human-environment interactions, stunning landscapes, and distinctive Saharan culture. Through comprehensive analysis—including field surveys and interviews with local stakeholders—the research proposes actionable strategies to enhance sustainable development and safeguard Tassili n'Ajjer's ecological and cultural heritage. These recommendations aim to address the region's underdeveloped infrastructure and insufficient conservation efforts, offering a blueprint for balanced preservation and growth.
Ordovician proglacial sediments in Algeria: insights into the controls on hydrocarbon reservoirs in the In Amenas field, Illizi Basin
Ordovician proglacial sediments in the Tassili n'Ajjer region of Algeria serve as significant gas reservoirs in the In Amenas field, Illizi Basin. The study identifies that these deposits, characterized by poorly sorted argillaceous sandstones and high-density turbidity sandstones, were formed through catastrophic outflows from subglacial lakes, which incised subglacial tunnel networks and delivered sand to turbidite outwashes. The research developed depositional models using core data and analogous outcrops, revealing a lobate geometry for subsurface composite turbidites and indicating high-energy, stable outflows during ice retreat. This stability was likely due to grounding over the In Amenas granitic palaeohighs, which influenced the location of outwash fan apices and feeder channels. The study provides critical insights into the controls on hydrocarbon reservoirs in this region.
Chemical Variability of Essential Oils in Natural Populations of Cupressus dupreziana
A comprehensive analysis of the chemical variability in essential oils from Cupressus dupreziana, an endemic species in Tassili n'Ajjer (Central Sahara, Algeria), reveals that genetic factors are unlikely to be the primary cause of its population decline. The study identified 32 terpenoids, with alpha-pinene, delta-3-carene, and germacrene-D being dominant, and used these markers to map chemotypic variability across 164 trees from 26 natural populations. This chemical diversity suggests that desertification, rather than genetic factors, is the main threat to this species' survival in the Tassili n'Ajjer region.
The Earliest Rock Paintings of the Central Sahara: Approaching Interpretation
The Central Sahara, particularly the Tassili n'Ajjer region, harbors some of the world's richest collections of ancient rock paintings and engravings, with the earliest likely dating back to the 10th millennium BP. These early depictions, known as 'Round Heads' due to their distinctive circular head shapes, were created by dark-skinned hunter-gatherers in the mountains of Tassili n'Ajjer and adjacent regions. Despite being discovered in the 1950s, these paintings had previously been considered uninterpretable. A recent study challenges this notion by employing archaeological evidence, landscape archaeology, and comparative studies to reveal a complex underlying reality behind individual painted images. This approach offers new insights into Saharan rock-art studies, moving beyond mere description to interpretative analysis.
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