Incoming tourism, outgoing culture: Tourism, development and cultural heritage in the Libyan Sahara

Archaeological contexts in arid lands are particularly endangered, not only by the natural damaging effects of desert environments, but also by both recent indiscriminate tourism and infrastructural developments, specifically oil exploitation. This case study of the Acacus and Messak Mountains in the Libyan Sahara explores the history and causes of the present situation, through a detailed analysis of the state of preservation of the cultural heritage – particularly rock art. At the same time, it provides the first evaluation of the perception of the situation by local people, placing it in a wider scenario that integrates tourism, development, and conservation.