Historical Libya

Libya has a long history, and we were treated to some of the delights of that history. There were three main elements to what we saw - the ancient rock carvings and paintings at Wadi Matkhandoush and in the Acacus mountains, the old town of Germa, and some Roman ruins (in Leptis Magna, Villa Celiene and Sabratha).

Rock carvings

Wadi Matkhandoush and the Acacus mountains are dripping with ancient rock carvings. Here is a selection of them.

Milad - one of our drivers, beside on of the carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush. Photo: Chris O'Byrne	More carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush Photo: Chris O'Byrne	More carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush Photo: Chris O'Byrne
More carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush Photo: Chris O'Byrne	More carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush Photo: Chris O'Byrne	More carvings at Wadi Matkhandoush Photo: Chris O'Byrne
Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Ancient porn in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Brian Seales
A rock carving of a vehicle in the Acacus mountains. Either the ancient Libyans predicted the future, or someone more modern decided to leave their mark... Photo: Chris O'Byrne

Rock paintings

The Acacus mountains are also dripping with ancient rock paintings. Here is a selection.

Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Jim Lynch
Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Jim Lynch	Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Jim Lynch	Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Jim Lynch
Rock carvings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Jim Lynch	Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne
Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne	Rock paintings in the Acacus mountains Photo: Chris O'Byrne

The old town of Germa

We made a quick visit to the ruins of the old town of Germa.

The old town of Germa Photo: Brian Seales	The old town of Germa Photo: Brian Seales	The old town of Germa Photo: Brian Seales
The old town of Germa Photo: Jim Lynch	The old town of Germa Photo: Jim Lynch	The old town of Germa Photo: Jim Lynch

Leptis Magna

Leptis Magna is a Roman town of some importance situated east of present-day Tripoli. Only about a third of it has been excavated so far, and it is quite impressive.

The forum at Leptis Magna Photo: Brian Seales
The theatre at Leptis Magna Photo: Brian Seales
Some of the ruins of the forum in Leptis Magna. Photo: Jim Lynch	More of the ruins of the forum in Leptis Magna. Photo: Jim Lynch	A view of the stage in the theatre in Leptis Magna. Photo: Jim Lynch
The arch of Septimus Severus born in Leptis Magna in AD 145 and who later went on to become Emperor. Photo: Jim Lynch	A street in Leptis Magna Photo: Jim Lynch	The public baths in Leptis Magna Photo: Jim Lynch
Ali - one of our guides - demonstrating the public lavatories at Leptis Magna Photo: Jim Lynch	Part of the market in Leptis Magna - vendors would set up stalls in this building. Photo: Jim Lynch	A copy of the stone which had markings on it, depicting the various units of lengths of fabric that were sold Photo: Jim Lynch
The temple at Leptis Magna Photo: Brian Seales	The collessium at Leptis Magna. Photo: Jim Lynch	The entrance to the collessium at Leptis Magna. Photo: Jim Lynch

Villa Celiene

Villa Celiene is the private villa of a woman who live in Roman times. Her villa has been excavated, and has some amazingly well-preserved mosaics.

The mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Jim Lynch	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales
More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Dave Seales	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Dave Seales	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales
More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Chris O'Byrne	More of the mosaics at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales
Wall murals at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales	The roof at Villa Celiene Photo: Brian Seales

Sabratha

Sabratha is another Roman town, to the west of Tripoli.

The theatre at Sabratha Photo: Olivia Flynn	The theatre at Sabratha Photo: Dave Seales	The theatre at Sabratha Photo: Dave Seales

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