Final answer:
The prehistoric cave art of Tassili n Ajjer, Algeria, likely dates to between 12,000 BCE and 1,000 BCE, coinciding with the broader period of cave art creation in similar regions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period of the prehistoric cave art located in Tassili n Ajjer, Algeria, spans various phases within the prehistoric era. Based on the available archaeological evidence and research about cave art in different regions, the cave paintings in the Sahara desert region, including Tassili n Ajjer, often depict pastoral scenes suggesting they were created during the Neolithic period, which began around 12,000 years ago. However, the specific option provided as an answer choice that most closely matches the broader period during which cave art was produced in such regions is option 1) 12,000 BCE- 1,000 BCE.
These cave paintings and engravings are considered among the most significant records of prehistoric African art and have contributed greatly to our understanding of climatic changes and human cultural development in the Sahara. The region depicts a time when it was much wetter, with savannah rather than desert.