El-Mestikawi Cave is a well-known site because of its prehistoric rock art. Located near Gilf el-Kebir, it features similar art to the Swimmer’s Cave and Shaw’s Cave. El-Mestikawi Cave was discovered in 1922. It is larger than Swimmer’s Cave and Shaw’s Cave and has lot more rock artwork and engravings. Variations in colour as well as subjects, with some art having been painted over, indicate a sustained and prolonged habitation of the area. The site is remarkable for the handprint drawings that are prominently featured over a half buried wall that also has paintings of human figures, animals and representations of hunting activities. There’s also an impressive drawing of a headless bull drawn in several parts of the cave. Please do not touch the paintings or use flash when you take pictures because the ancient paint will peel off.
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Tags:Western DesertGilf El-KebirDesert and OasesSafaris

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