Prehistoric mind in context : an essay on possible roots of Ancient Egyptian civilization

Abstract

The study is dedicated to the examination of a very specific set of iconographic motifs preserved in Gilf Kebir. These are to be found in two locations, in Cave of the Swimmers and Cave of the Beasts.

In both cases, the iconography preserved suggests that many particular motifs predate those attested from the Nile valley and thus may represent one of the significant intellectual sources of Ancient Egyptian civilization.

Keywords

• Western Desert
• Gilf Kebir
• prehistory
• Cave of the beasts
• Egyptian civilization
• origins
• iconography