The archaic period is difficult to date with certainty. The rock art of this period is generally limited to wild animals. At this time raising domestic animals had not yet spread into northern Africa. Art Animals depicted include elephants, giraffes, ostriches, and panthers. Humans have round heads and are generally unclothed except for a loincloth.
Weapons consists of bows, clubs, and sticks.
Some figures have lines or dots indicating hair, clothing, or jewelry. By the end of the archaic period the subject matter had broadened to show dancers, runners, men shooting arrows, and women carrying baskets on their heads. The climate in Chad during this period was harsh, and the importance of grazing animals as a food source cannot be underestimated. Even today, milk is given to guests as an antidote to the arid climate. During the early part of this period weapons are usually depicted as spears and bows.