The Hidden Treasures of Namibia: The Peet Alberts Rock Engravings

Guido Donati* 07 Ago 2025
Scienceonline
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While talking about rock art in Namibia, the mind almost inevitably turns to Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yet, near the town of Kamanjab, lies another archaeological treasure of inestimable value, less known but equally fascinating: the Peet Alberts rock engravings [1, 2]. This site, also known as Peet Alberts Koppie, is just 6.9 km from Kamanjab and about 229 km southwest of Etosha National Park [2]. With over 1,500 engravings [2], it is considered the second-largest in Namibia for the number and quality of its works [2].

The site is located on a series of granite rock formations [4] and is named after the farmer who discovered them in the 1950s, when his farm extended over the area. For decades, the works remained an almost private secret, known only to locals and scholars, before attracting the attention of the academic world and the cultural heritage community [2].

The engravings, created on a rock surface that stretches for hundreds of meters, represent a true open-air art gallery. The iconographic repertoire is vast and testifies to the richness of animal and cultural life in the region in remote eras. The works date back to a wide span of time, estimated to be between 25,000 and 400 years ago. In particular, it is possible to distinguish two main styles, attributable to the two cultures that alternated at the site [3]:

Figurative Engravings of the San: The oldest works, attributed to the San hunter-gatherers, are predominantly figurative. Figures of rhinoceroses, elephants, giraffes, and antelopes can be clearly recognized, often depicted in motion and with a remarkable attention to detail [1]. For the San people, these engravings were not mere representations of local fauna but were closely connected to shamanic practices. The Great God Gauwa resided beneath the rock surface, and his power was infused in the large animals, especially in their fat. Consuming the fat of these animals was a ritual to infuse the spirit of the world into oneself. The site itself was considered an entrance to the spirit world, and the engravings served as a medium to interact with it.

 

 

Abstract Engravings of the Khoikhoi: At a later time, with the arrival of the Khoikhoi pastoralists, a change in style is observed. Their engravings tend to be more abstract and geometric, such as circles, dotted lines, and stylized symbols [1]. These drawings, likely from a more recent era (thought to be around 2,500-400 years ago), are considered a distinctive sign of the Khoikhoi culture, which used rock art for different purposes, perhaps related to livestock management or a different spirituality.

Archaeologists have noted that some of the older, figurative San engravings are often superimposed by more recent works, demonstrating the alternation and cultural succession at the site. These are not simply drawings but historical documents that tell of the life, beliefs, and environment of the peoples who created them [3].

Unlike Twyfelfontein, the Peet Alberts site is not formally protected and is not managed as a tourist attraction [1]. This lack of protection makes it particularly vulnerable to natural erosion and acts of vandalism. Its current status highlights the urgency of conservation and the need to raise public awareness of the inestimable value of this heritage. The site has been designated as a national monument of Namibia [4].

The Peet Alberts rock engravings are much more than simple marks on stone: they are a bridge to the past, a window into a forgotten world, and an important testimony to Namibia's rich cultural history. Their existence reminds us of the profound connection between humanity and nature and the need to protect these treasures so they can continue to tell their stories to future generations.

 

 

Bibliography

"Rock Engravings At Farm Kamanjab", Namibian.org

"Discover the Ancient Art of Peet Alberts Rock Engravings", Evendo

"Rock art | Namibia", Namibweb, url: https://www.namibweb.com/rockart.htm

"Category:Rock Engravings at Peet Alberts Koppie", Wikimedia Commons

Breunig, P., "Humans, megafauna and landscape structure – Rock engravings from Namibia encourage a comparative approach to central Europe and southern Africa", Vertebrate Zoology, 2014.

Scherz, E. R., "Rock paintings and engravings of prehistoric Southwest Africa: An investigation into their origin and significance", The Journal of the SWA Scientific Society, 1975.

"Rock Art in North-Western Central Namibia - its Age and Cultural Background", in C. Limprecht, M. Biesele (a cura di), Heritage and Cultures in Modern Namibia - In-depth Views of the Country, Klaus Hess Publishers, 2014.

Gwasira, G., Basinyi, S. e Lenssen-Erz, T., "The relevance of prehistoric rock art in the present", Journal of the University of Namibia, 2018.

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Pubblicato a Roma – Via A. De Viti de Marco, 50 – Direttore Responsabile Guido Donati

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