The Qarabulli Member of the Jifarah Formation in Wadi ar Raml comprises a thin sequence of chalks, chalky silts and carbon-rich silts draped over a dune-shaped top surface to the Karawah Member. The carbon-rich layers contain rootlets and are interpreted as marsh deposits. The chalks display thickening in the lows and thinning on the highs and yield a mollusc fauna indicative of deposition in semi-permanent, freshwater ponds. Correlation shows that basal beds in the lows are older than those on the highs confirming that the member was deposited on a pre-existing dune-shaped surface. Internal sedimentary structures in the Karawah Member sands suggest that they, and hence the dune-shape, are aeolian in origin. Drowning of the dunes was gradual, initially flooding the lowest troughs and eventually lapping over the crests. Conditions fluctuated between lacustrine and marsh before final inundation resulted in deposition of chalk over the whole section. Destruction of lamination in the underlying aeolian sands of the Karawah Member indicates that the ponds were sourced by upward movement of ground water.

Excavations at Zinchecra, a hill fort settlement of the Garamantes in Fezzan, southern Libya, have recovered a rich assemblage of desiccated and carbonised plant remains. The archaeobotanical analysis of this assemblage has produced a unique insight into the state of agriculture in the Sahara during the first half of the first millennium BC. Three cereal crops and three fruit crops have been identified, as well as salad plants and aromatic herbs. The use of wild plant resources has also been attested. The assemblage is dated by eleven radiocarbon dates to 900–400 cal BC. A well-developed agricultural regime was present, despite the harsh climatic conditions.

The limestone relief, discovered near the motel in New Shahat in 1984, is one of a group of votive reliefs of the later Hellenistic period (2nd-1st centuries BC). The group, from various Libyan sites, depict Libyan sanctuaries, and are of especial interest in reflecting the close relationship between the Greek and native populations of Cyrenaica. The new find is unusual in devoting a large space to two pastoral scenes. They represent an aspect of the cult of a deity, probably Demeter, who was believed to bestow the Libyan people with meat, milk, hair, wool and other products. With these earthly goods Demeter brought the promise of fertility. Women feature prominently in the relief, as in her cult.

Drawings made in 1958 of the Beida Sanctuary peristyle afford a basis for comment on characteristic architectural developments in Cyrenaica, seen as part of the Oriental Hellenistic world.

Since this complex is dated epigraphically to Hadrianic times it offers information on the chronological compass of forms and motifs which are well established at a much earlier period (3rd century BC). Notable features are the mixing of elements from different orders and the use of the cordiform angle pier often in association with the Rhodian-type peristyle.

The emergence of these devices can be seen in the Apollo Temple at Bassae, and they are subsequently formalised in the so-called Argolid School. This style was spread about the Hellenised Orient in the wake of Alexander's conquests. It can be seen particularly in Ptolemaic Alexandria, but owing to the destruction of almost all the free-standing building at Alexandria the bulk of the evidence comes from the Ptolemaic provinces, notably Cyrenaica, Cyprus and Southern Palestine/Arabia.

The details of the Balagrae peristyle also show the retention of some old established Cyrenaican regional manners (Doric Capital with moulded abacus, simplified Ionic Capital, etc) and the complete absence of any specifically Roman innovations either of design or construction.

During the final field season of the UNESCO Libyan Valleys Survey a detailed examination of the eight gsur in the Wadi Umm el Kharab was undertaken and is reported upon in this article. The work involved an architectural survey of the buildings, with accurate plans being made of two of them and measured sketches made of the others. Small scale excavations were undertaken in two of the gsur and the associated settlements were investigated. The study highlighted the diversity in design and construction of the buildings, three major types being noted. The chronological and social implications of this diversity are discussed. The possible functions of the gsur and of the individual rooms within them are considered, but much more work is required before the relationship of the gsur and the settlements which exist immediately adjacent to them can be discussed in a meaningful way.

Trench 330, begun in 1990, was extended. The earlier phases of building II were examined and in two places what is thought to be the bottom of the sequence has been found. A further area of building I was exposed. It is now thought likely that building I wholly post-dates building II and general considerations suggest that the whole sequence should be accommodated within the Ottoman Turkish period. Below the sequence a thick layer of possibly natural clay was discovered, which has interesting implications for the location of earlier settlement.

Libya has enjoyed a considerable growth of its national economy since its crude oil was produced and exported in the early 1960s and Libyan society has achieved a higher standard of living than in the 1950s. But despite the increasing and rapid expansion in the education system, the rising figures for enrolment and well-equipped buildings, the country still suffers from acute shortages of the well-qualified and skilled human resources that should meet the country's socio-economic development and transformation plans, and run the increased number of large industrial establishments like the oil industry, where a large number of foreign personnel still occupy core functions.

This paper shows that a number of practical and theoretical problems are responsible for inaccurate manpower planning, and also for the retardation of the development of Libya's manpower education and training, needed to ensure the country had the necessary well-qualified personnel who would perform their employment duties properly in order that the country achieves its planned socio-economic development targets.

For real control of Libya's natural resources, mainly oil and gas, the paper calls for urgent action to be taken for a well-planned and properly executed Libyanisation policy and more effective use of the most necessary non-Libyan personnel. It outlines the scientific and practical factors needed to improve labour productivity, describes the procedure and methodology of manpower forecasting currently in use, and calls for action to correct its deficiencies.

The paper also attempts to point out the major role that the university and other educational institutions have to play in the education and training of the country's people. It also suggests that more effort should be made to link and involve the educational institutions, and the university in particular, with the industrial and other economic sectors in the country. Also required is a variety of good services which can be employed in consultative work and collaborative involvement, based on a thorough understanding of the requirements both of industry and the university as a consultative and research centre, in addition to its educational functions. These and other aspects are fully discussed and a call is made for better planned and strategic reform of the education and training systems in Libya, so that the country can truly adjust to changes in its students and the workforce.