 | |
| Location | Algeria |
|---|---|
| Type | Petroglyphs |
| History | |
| Founded | c. 5000 BC [1] |
About 25 km from the oasis of Djanet in southeast Algeria, on the eastern border of erg Admer towards Tassili n'Ajjer in the Tigharghart region, stands a large sand monolith. On one side of the rocks of the monolith are the rock engravings of La vache qui pleure (the crying cow), dated more than 7,000 years ago. [2]
The rock engravings of La vache qui pleure are a masterpiece of Neolithic sculpture. Carried out in bas-relief, the engravings are of extraordinary workmanship and harmony, made of deep grooves carved into the rock. Leaning towards a small depression at the foot of the rock, the engravings represent a small herd of bovidae. The cows seem to be waiting for the water to arrive to drink from it. The tears shed by a number of these cows have given rise to many interpretations and legends. [3]
Monolith containing the rock engravings of La vache qui pleure
Sarcophagus of queen Kawit showing a tear falling from a cow's eye
A bas-relief in the sarcophagus of queen Kawit, wife of King Mentuhotep II of the 11th Dynasty, also shows a tear falling from a cow's eye while it is being milked. [4]
