Non-Written Sources

Algeria has a rich history of non-written sources. Some of the earliest rock paintings in Africa are located in the Tassili range of the Hoggar Mountains in the central Sahara. One source said of these, "From the point of view of the historian these paintings... are of the utmost value, illuminating the past of the Sahara and going one step further towards the elucidation of the mystery of when, if not why, the region changed from fertility to the sterile sands which have been known through all recorded time" (Nickerson, 6-7).


The Roman period marks a huge transition for the people of Algeria. The Romans changed Algerian society from its largely nomadic roots to a civilized, coherent people group. They also worked to change their culture. Many statues are found in Algeria, although their genesis probably did not originate in Algeria; as one commentator said, the Roman era statues found in Algeria were most likely the result of powerful and wealthy patrons that settled there from Rome (Boissier, 33-34). One particularly elegant statue is found in the Museum of National Antiques of Algeria. The statue features a Roman municipal magistrate made of marble. It was probably from the Constantine period of the Roman Empire. It is unique in the man that it depicts is most likely an African himself and was a magistrate in his ancient hometown, Subzuar.

 

A later piece also comes from the Roman era. In the 4th century, a sarcophagus depicting the seven miracles of Christ was found composed of marble. This demonstrates the heavy influence of Christianity in the formative years of the new millennium in Algeria.



In the 12th century, a group of Islamic Kings, the Berbers, unified North Africa and their movement was called the Almohad Caliphate. This was a critical time in the history of Algeria because it rescinded its Christian heritage in favor of Islam. A silver plate was discovered that dated to the 12th century. It bears an inscription that says, “Praise be to God, Lord of the universe.” Primarily a work of art, it demonstrates the vast changes that occurred in the tumultuous history of Algeria.

 

Bibliography

Boissier, Gaston. Roman Africa: Archaeological Walks in Algeria and Tunis. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1899. Accessed September 9, 2016. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015002137746;view=1up;seq=7.

National Museum of Antiquities. “National Museum of Antiquities.” Accessed September 9, 2016.http://www.musee-antiquites.art.dz/?action=accueil&lang=fr.

Nickerson, James. Africa: From Pre-Roman Times to the Present. New York: Devin-Adair Company, 1961. Accessed September 9, 2016. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015008918313;view=1up;seq=10.