In June 1964 some prehistoric rock-engravings of great interest and skilful execution were discovered in the Cyrenaican Gebel. They are the first works of rock-cut art of early prehistoric style found in this region after more than 30 years of research and survey carried out by Italian and English scholars in the field of prehistoric archaeology. In 1959 I had the opportunity of visiting several caves and shelters on the very steep rock walls of the widiàn notching the Gebel, and on the two big escarpments of this plateau facing north towards the Mediterranean. In none of the cavities thus explored have I found prehistoric art, except in a single case—of no absolute certainty—consisting of some line-engravings.

In the spring of 1964 I was informed of the existence of some rock-drawings of animals in a cave not far from Cyrene, and some weeks later I went to this site. No doubts about the authenticity of these engravings can be entertained, since, as we shall see, some of them are partially covered with stalactitic concretions.