Ghadames Museum

The entrance to the Museum of Ghadames, Libya.

Ghadames Museum is a unique museum, displaying various archaeological and cultural treasures from different periods of Libyan history. Stone implements from the stone age and fossilised objects, preserved animals, birds and insects showing example of the wild life present in the Sahara, and cultural and traditional crafts. The museum is divided into several wings,each one is separate from the other. The following photo shows the entrance to the Fourth Wing (left) and the First Wing (right).

The Fourth Wing (left) & the First Wing (right)

The Bride During the Henna Night.

This dress is worn by the bride during the henna ceremony, part of the marriage ceremony and also worn during the contract night: the night the bride and the bridegroom decide and promise each other to be husband and wife.

Desert Rose Crystals

The very top line (with the tops missing) shows food covers made of woven palm leaves. These are used to cover clay bowels using to serve food, which keep food warm without releasing condensation back onto the food. The second line shows small baskets or pots (or containers) also made of straw. The very old versions of these items are made of much finer woven threads, look more delicate and of better quality these these modern versions. The older versions are also free of any colour, just the light mud-like colour of straw. The bottom two rows show examples of what is known as "desert rose" stones, a leaf-like structure of crystals of the mineral Gypsum, which grows in the tiny gaps between the specks of sand. As it grows in these cavities it seals the surrounding   sand in leaf-like flakes.

Traditional industries based on palm leaves and coloured fabrics. Palm leaves are an important material
in the desert. They are used for various objects and tools, from ropes and strings to baskets and mats.

Leather Crafts

Berber Tuareg Traditional Wallets

Traditional Libyan Boots

The Tuareg Berber Alphabet and its Arabic Translation,
located in the Third Wing of the Museum.

A framed picture showing the Tuareg alphabet, generally known as Tifinagh or Tifinar. The first column on the right is the Arabic translation of the second column, the third of the fourth, and so on. The English translation is as follows: starting from top right and going down (of the second column from the right): A, B, T, J, KH, D, then from the top of the fourth column from the right: R, Z, GH, N, S, SH, then from the sixth column from the right: D' (emphatic D), F, Q, L, M, Z' (emphatic heavy D, similar to Z), then from the top of first column on the left: H, Y, O (or W), G, Dg (as in judge), K, and emphatic T (heavy open form of English /th/, as in English "ta" (short for 'thank you')).

Temple Column Bases

A Map of the Old Town of Ghadames

Camel Milking Mugs

The Evolution of Ghadamsian Doors

Modern Ghadamsi Door

Weaving Stand (Loom). The above sign says: "goat hair rope".

Map of Ghadames, from Ghadames Museum, Libya.