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[[Image:Tsodilo_art.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Red ochre rock art typical of Tsodilo]]

[[Image:Tsodilo_art.jpg|right|thumb|250px|Red ochre rock art typical of Tsodilo]]

[[Tsodilo]] is a major [[Geology|geological]] landmark in the [[Kalahari Desert]], which has been called the "''Louvre of the Desert''"<ref>''Tsodilo'' [http://www.thesalmons.org/lynn/wh-botswana.html World Heritage Sites in Botswana]. Accessed 14 January 2008</ref> due to the quality and quantity of the rock art to be found there, consisting of over 4500 paintings and numerous carvings

'''Tsodilo''' is a major [[Geology|geological]] landmark in the [[Kalahari Desert]], which has been called the "''Louvre of the Desert''"<ref>''Tsodilo'' [http://www.thesalmons.org/lynn/wh-botswana.html World Heritage Sites in Botswana]. Accessed 14 January 2008</ref> due to the quality and quantity of the rock art to be found there, consisting of over 4500 paintings and numerous carvings

which provide a vivid insight into early perceptions of the surrounding environment while giving artistic expression to contemporary ways of life. As one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world the site is of major international significance, and affords a unique opportunity to comprehend the [[Tradition|traditions]], [[Culture|cultures]], and [[Technology|technologies]] of the people of the

which provide a vivid insight into early perceptions of the surrounding environment while giving artistic expression to contemporary ways of life. As one of the highest concentrations of rock art in the world the site is of major international significance, and affords a unique opportunity to comprehend the [[tradition]]s, [[culture]]s, and [[Technology|technologies]] of the people of the

Kalahari region from [[Prehistoric|prehistory]] to the present. It has also been compared with [[Uluru]] in central [[Australia]] in terms of both its rock formations which, from a geological perspective, represent exceptional examples of [[tectonic]] and geomorphic processes, and as a basically natural feature which has become an icon in a [[cultural landscape]].<ref>''Justification émanant de l’État partie'' No. 1021 (2001)</ref>

Kalahari region from [[Prehistoric|prehistory]] to the present. It has also been compared with [[Uluru]] in central [[Australia]] in terms of both its rock formations which, from a geological perspective, represent exceptional examples of [[tectonic]] and geomorphic processes, and as a basically natural feature which has become an icon in a [[cultural landscape]].<ref>''Justification émanant de l’État partie'' No. 1021 (2001)</ref>

==Geology==

==Geology==

The area provides is dominated by the ancient rock formations that make up the Earth’s crust, with massive multicoloured [[quartzite]] rock formations rising from the sand dunes to the east and a dry fossil lake bed to the west. These rock formations are called ''inselbergs'' ([[Germany|German]]: "island rock"), denoting a prominent isolated hill rising from and surrounded by an extensive lowland [[erosion]] surface in a hot dry region.<ref>''The Unique Rock Formations at Joshua Tree NP'' [http://www.desertusa.com/magdec97/rock/rockpile.html desertusa.com]. Accessed 14 January 2008</ref> Four of the inselbergs form a cluster which, because of their height, shape, and spatial relationships have given rise to a distinctive name for each: ''Male'', ''Female'', ''Child'', and ''Grandchild''. At 400m above

The area is dominated by the ancient rock formations that make up the Earth’s [[crust]], with massive multicoloured [[quartzite]] rock formations rising from the sand dunes to the east and a dry fossil lake bed to the west. These rock formations are called ''inselbergs'' ([[Germany|German]]: "island rock"), denoting a prominent isolated hill rising from and surrounded by an extensive lowland [[erosion]] surface in a hot dry region.<ref>''The Unique Rock Formations at Joshua Tree NP'' [http://www.desertusa.com/magdec97/rock/rockpile.html desertusa.com]. Accessed 14 January 2008</ref> Four of the inselbergs form a cluster which, because of their height, shape, and spatial relationships have given rise to a distinctive name for each: ''Male'', ''Female'', ''Child'', and ''Grandchild''. At 400m above

sea level, ''Male'' is the highest peak in [[Botswana]]. The group is visible from the Okavango River, 40km away.

sea level, ''Male'' is the highest peak in [[Botswana]]. The group is visible from the Okavango River, 40&nbsp;km away.

==Archaeology==

==Archaeology==

The archaeology ranges in time from the Middle Stone Age to traditional societies, and the sites consist of caves, rock shelters, seasonal camps, and settlements. The large number and diverse types of artefacts make it the richest site yet discovered in southern Africa.

The [[archaeology]] ranges in time from the [[Mesolithic Age|Middle Stone Age]] to traditional societies, and the sites consist of caves, rock shelters, seasonal camps, and settlements. The large number and diverse types of artefacts make it the richest site yet discovered in southern Africa.

==Rock art==

==Rock art==

==World Heritage==

==World Heritage==

The site was judged by [[UNESCO]] to satisfy several criteria<ref>''Justification for Inscription'' [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1021 UNESCO]. Accessed 13 January 2008.</ref> for inclusion on the list of [[World Heritage Sites]], for its outstanding rock art and for its symbolic and religious significance to the human communities who continue to inhabit the region. As a result it was inscribed to the list in 2001.  

The site was judged by [[UNESCO]] to satisfy several criteria<ref>''Justification for Inscription'' [http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1021 UNESCO]. Accessed 13 January 2008.</ref> for inclusion on the list of [[World Heritage Site]]s, for its outstanding rock art and for its symbolic and religious significance to the human communities who continue to inhabit the region. As a result, it was inscribed to the list in 2001.

==External links==

==External links==

[[Category:World Heritage Sites]]

[[Category:World Heritage Sites]]

[[Category:Africa]]

[[Category:Africa]]