The culture in Libya is strongly influenced by its Islamic roots. The country’s heritage can be found in its art, its music, its architecture, and its archaeology. There is little theater or other staged events in Libya.

Archaeology

From the beginning of humankind, Libya has been host to hundreds of tribes and cultures. Today, evidence of these cultures can be found in Libya’s archaeological sites. In the caves of the Tardat Mountains, one will find ancient writings, drawings, and engravings marked on the walls. Engravings can be found on the Akakus Mountains, while prehistoric drawings are in the Matchandous caves. On the walls of the Matchandous caves are pictures of the animals that prehistoric and early man hunted, along with stories of the myths of the animals’ capture. Many archaeological treasures are housed in the museums of Libya’s cities, for those who would like to see the ancient pieces without having to hike through the mountains.

Leptis Magna

The must-see cultural site in Libya is Leptis Magna. It is considered the best roman site on the Mediterranean. The city was originally settled in the first millennium BC as a port city. It was one of the greatest cities of its time, until the Vandals destroyed it in 455 AD. The Romans tried to revive the city, but the local tribes, led by the Berbers revolted. It, like the surrounding areas, became predominately Arab, and the city was eventually left to be buried in the desert sands, completely abandoned by the 11th century.

In the 20th century, however, Leptis Magna caught the interest of archaeologists, who discovered that this great archaeological find was mostly intact. Today, there is a large museum near the site, but Leptis Magna itself can be toured.

Music and Art

Music is very important to the Libyan culture. It comes from both the Islamic and the Roman influences on the country. Every important cultural or social event in Libya is accompanied by traditional music.

As does music, Libyan art takes its influence from its Islamic and ancient Roman histories. The beautiful temples are decorated with mosaics, and the Muslim mosques are representative of the best Islamic structures in the world. The designs of the mosques are Libya’s greatest contribution to the art world. Smaller forms of art are the leather, jewelry, and carpets designed by craftsmen and craftswomen all over Libya.

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