An evocation of an engraved propitiatory rite in Ifgane (Yagour,western High Atlas,Morocco) [Une évocation d'un rite propitiatoire gravé à Ifgane (Yagour,Haut Atlas occidental,Maroc)]

The rock art site of ifgane,on the west of the yagour plateau,was discovered by simoneau and reported with a photograph in his inventory (1). in 1999,23 engravings were published by rodrigue,who considered the site to be an isolated ensemble. recent campaigns between 2007 and 2012 have led to the discovery of 201 new engravings. these new discoveries have enriched the iconography of the yagour and have provided new elements for the interpretation of this art and the relationship between the high atlas and the saharan regions. the themes engraved at ifgane are common to those of the yagour plateau. however,cattle are superior in quantity to representations of metallic weapons. some cattle images similar to those in the saharan regions doubtless indicate a connection between the high atlas and the southern regions. a frise associating anthropomorphs and rhinoceros can be interpreted as a scene linking animal sexuality and human sexuality. it shows a new approach to the relationship between the men of the high atlas and the large wild fauna.