Messak Settafet Plateau: A Dual Tale of Ancient and Modern Times
Nestled in Libya’s southwestern desert, the Messak Settafet plateau is a remarkable testament to both ancient human activity and modern industry. Rising dramatically from the surrounding sands, this sandstone expanse bridges millennia, reflecting a unique convergence of prehistoric innovation and contemporary resource extraction.
Ancient Times
The Messak Settafet plateau has been a cradle of human ingenuity for hundreds of thousands of years. Long before the advent of modern civilization, early hominins—including Homo sapiens and their ancestors—utilized the plateau’s resources to craft tools, leaving behind one of the earliest examples of large-scale human interaction with the environment.
Archaeological surveys reveal an astonishing density of artifacts on the plateau’s surface—approximately 75 stone tools and fragments per square meter. These tools, fashioned from quartzite quarried from the plateau, were essential for survival in the harsh desert climate. Bright spots visible in satellite imagery mark ancient quarry pits where materials were extracted, and these pits likely doubled as water catchments after rains, attracting both humans and animals.
In addition to tools, the plateau is rich with prehistoric art. At Wadi Mathendous, rock engravings and paintings depict a Sahara once brimming with life, featuring scenes of rhinoceroses, elephants, giraffes, and crocodiles. These artworks, estimated to be around 8,000 years old, offer a glimpse into the lives of early humans and the once-lush landscapes they inhabited.
Modern Times
In stark contrast to its ancient history, the Messak Settafet plateau today is home to a vital hub of Libya’s oil industry. The El-Feel oil field, operational since 2004, sits atop this desert plateau, symbolizing the region’s modern economic significance.
The oil field, discovered in 1997, features a network of wells, pipelines, power lines, and infrastructure, linked by a dusty road that winds up the escarpment. Seismic survey lines etched into the land hint at the meticulous exploration efforts that preceded its development. While oil rigs and industrial activity dominate the plateau now, they reflect a continuity of resource utilization that stretches back to the Stone Age.
Even the landscape bears the marks of change. Though the region now receives less than 10 millimeters (0.4 inches) of rain annually, ancient wadis and silty deposits left by past water flows are still visible. These remnants of a wetter climate echo the ingenuity of ancient inhabitants who once thrived here.
The Messak Settafet plateau stands as a living narrative of human history. From the prehistoric artisans who shaped its stones to the engineers extracting its oil, this extraordinary landscape embodies the resilience and adaptability of humanity through the ages.
