Tin Hinan is the name given by the Tuareg to a 4th-century woman of prestige whose monumental tomb is located in the Sahara at Abalessa in the Ahaggar or Hoggar region of Algeria.

Tin Hinan, whose name translated as “mother of the tribe” or “queen of the camp”, is regarded as the ancient ancestress of the Tuaregs. According to local legends, centuries ago Tin Hinan arrived in the Hoggar region on a milk-white camel along with her faithful servant, Tagamet. They are said to have settled in the mountainous region of Algeria, and she became the first Queen of the Tuaregs. She was famous for her beauty, wisdom and was known to travel quite frequently.

Upon opening her tomb, Archaeologists found the remains of the queen lying on her back legs crossed and covered with a red cloak of leather that had since turned to dust; she lay on a wooden litter her head facing east and was heavily adorned with gold and jewels. On her right forearm, she wore 7 silver bracelets, and on her left, 7 gold bracelets. Another silver bracelet and a gold ring were placed with the body. Other funerary items and many pieces of jewelry like beads of turquoise, garnet, amazonite, and cornelian were also discovered in the tomb.

Algeria Postal Department has issued a set of commemorative postage stamps that adorn the antique Jewelry of from Tomb of Tin Hinan beautifully. The stamp shows above depict the bracelets.

Image Source: Colnect.com