Climate Change and Its Impacts on Tangible Heritage: An Analytical Study of Wadi Tajant, Sokna

Abstract

The research deals with the study of the climate impact on the
rock drawings and inscriptions in the mountains surrounding the
Tagent Valley, south of the city of Sukna, which date back to
prehistoric times. It became clear that there was a negative
impact resulting from increased periods of solar brightness and
high temperatures, as well as the wind factor. Especially the
human aspect, where the hands of devastation spread distorting
some of the inscriptions and attacking them by stealing some of
them. This confirms the study’s hypotheses regarding the effect
of temperature variations, as in recent years it was recorded at
48°C in the summer, and falling to freezing point in the winter,
with wind speeds reaching between 40 and 60 knots per hour.
spring season.
The study aimed to shed light on diving into the probes of this
valley and the treasures it hides for researchers and those
interested in the fields of history, archeology and geology. The
study of this region is still pristine, and we aspire for it to be a
local and international tourist destination.
The research relied on historical, inductive, deductive and
analytical methods and the use of Geographic Information
Systems (GIS) programmes.
The research determined the extent to which stone inscriptions
are affected by climate change. This is in addition to the fact that
there are other places that are no less important than this place,
and the recommendations included urging officials to protect and
maintain these sites, which are considered one of the tourism
resources if exploited optimally, and a call for study and research
from all those interested.