The present work focuses on several themes. It is the archaeological study of the Lower Mertoutek in Tefedest. This research deals with all archaeological materials present on the ground. The analysis of Neolithic settlement sites and the study of the remains collected during the excavations allowed to situate them among the Neolithic cultures of the Ahaggar and central Sahara. Similarly, studies of monuments, the analysis of their geographical distribution and the excavation of certain architectural forms, led to refine our knowledge of these monuments and understand the various funeral rites and different burial positions. The study of rock art, painted and engraved, located in the funerary context and prehistoric settlement, has contributed greatly to the understanding of the modalities of the establishment of these cultural groups, producers of these lithic industries and pottery, funerary monuments and cave paintings abounding in the region. This research has also contributed to better understanding of the Holocene settlement of the desert regions, its lifestyle, its evolution and possible relationships between all the remains that have been taken over in this work.
Holocene settlement of Lower Mertoutek, central area of the Tefedest chain, Massif of Ahaggar (Algeria)