All  

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ

Ancient Origins Tour IRAQ Mobile

Some of the many paintings inside the Laas Geel caves, near Hargeisa in Somaliland, Somalia.

Laas Geel Complex and The Magnificent Ancient Rock Art of Somaliland

Print

Thousands of years ago, humans from the Neolithic age, decorated the walls of rock shelters with paintings of animals and humans at a site called Laas Geel in Somaliland. Their work would last 5,000 years and would one day attract the attention of the 21st century. The caves provide a glimpse into the little known history of this part of the world. Even with the history of political instability, war, natural weathering, and other factors, the paintings have survived intact, retaining their clear outlines and vibrant colors.They are thought to be among the best and oldest preserved rock paintings in Africa.

Laas Geel, meaning ‘source of water for camels’, is a complex of rock shelters and caves located 55 kilometers (34 miles) northeast of Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, an autonomous region of war-torn Somalia. In an area encompassing a nomadic village, the Naasa Hablood hills, the site overlooks a wide district of countryside, where nomads graze their livestock and human settlement is sparse. Much of Somalia is now comprised of vast badlands and the parched Laas Geel region no longer draws herds of cattle coming to graze and take water. The complex is located near a confluence of two dry rivers, which lends credence to its name. 

Locals knew of the place for centuries but avoided it due to what they believed to be the haunt of demons and evil spirits. 

“We believed it was drawn by the devil with blood,” said caretaker Musa Abdi Jama [via csmonitor], “and believed that when we slaughtered a goat for protection, the devil would come and suck the blood from the sand.”

Depiction of a herd of cattle at Laas Geel

Depiction of a herd of cattle at Laas Geel (Wikimedia Commons)

In November and December 2002, an archaeological survey was carried out by a French team in Somalia to search for rock shelters and caves containing stratified archaeological infills. On December 4, French archaeologist Xavier Gutherz from Paul Valery University, and his team ‘discovered’ the Laas Geel caves and spectacular paintings scattered among ten rock alcoves.  In November 2003, a mission returned to Laas Geel and a team of experts undertook a detailed study of the paintings and their prehistoric context.

Laas Geel rock shelter near Hargeisa, northern Somalia, known for containing Neolithic rock art. Photo by Najeeb, 2005.

Laas Geel rock shelter near Hargeisa, known for containing Neolithic rock art. Photo by Najeeb, 2005. (Wikimedia Commons)

As is the case with rock art sites, the dating remains a problem even at Laas Geel as the only thing it is based on seems to be small fragments of pigments found in layers believed to date to 3500-2500 BC.  There is not a single ceramic segment found at Laas Geel’s Shelter 7, which is the only excavated shelter and upon which the dating estimation is based on. Little is known about the civilization at the time and which painting techniques were used to create the rock art, and some scholars believe the paintings could be anywhere from 5,000 to 11,000 years old.

The complex is comprised of approximately 20 shelters or rock caves made of naturally occurring rock formations of varying size, the largest being ten meters long with a depth of about 5 meters. These shelters feature polychrome (multi-colored) painted panels that are considered to be the oldest known rock art in the Horn of Africa, a peninsula in Northeast Africa. Shelter 1 is one of the most important shelters at Laas Geel due to the richness of variations and composition of its rock art. The size of this shelter is 170 m2, with a ceiling that is completely covered with paintings and is considered the artistic and creative center of the complex.

One of the Laas Geel alcoves

One of the Laas Geel alcoves (Wikimedia Commons)

It is estimated that there are 350 animal and human representations, as well as numerous tribal marks among the rock art at Laas Geel. Some of the cave paintings are stunningly well preserved as they have been sheltered from the elements by the granite overhangs.  Others have faded due to rock degradation and the effects of weathering and erosion. The caves house a constellation of brown, orange, white and red pre-historic sketches on the walls and ceiling.  

The paintings depict mostly animals, including cows and dogs, but they also show humans, some in touching scenes, such as a woman giving water to a dog.  Lesser animals depicted in the artwork include monkeys, antelope, giraffes and possibly jackals or hyenas. The herders and wild animals point to the interglacial period when the now arid Horn of Africa region was lush and green, and home to many wild animals.

Detail of the Laas Geel cave paintings near Hargeysa, Somaliland/Somalia, showing a cow. This cow has a straight back and unique head and horns.

Detail of the Laas Geel cave paintings near Hargeysa, Somaliland/Somalia, showing a cow. This cow has a straight back and unique head and horns. Photo by: Najeeb, 2005.  (Wikimedia Commons)

The most frequently depicted animal in the rock art paintings is the cow. Some are schematic outlines, others are drawn in elaborate detail with radiant neck stripes and decorated with what looks like traditional fabrics and ceremonial robes. The painted bovines at Laas Geel are depicted with heads appearing like beakers and situated close to the horns, often large ones. This could also be a symbol of fertility joining the body through a line (possibly representing the spine). These parts are combined in various colors and produce a complete polychrome figure. The colors are comprised of various shades of red, orange, yellow, white, and violet.

Laas Geel Rock Cave Paintings

Laas Geel Rock Cave Paintings, photo by: Theodore Hoffsten. 2012. (Wikimedia Commons)

In nearly all the artwork, human representations are found, though less numerous than the cows. Ancient humans of the area are shown raising their hands and worshipping cows with large lyre-shaped horns. A few tiny hunters run amidst the herds. They are painted in the same colors and techniques as the cows, usually with chests striped in white or red. These mostly appear under the udders or the hind areas of the bovines. Some appear to be wearing trousers, but no feet appear. A circle or radiating lines surround the heads, which narrow into the shape of a tulip. The representation of the human figures at Laas Geel are ambiguous, and some researchers have suggested they may depict deities or imagined figures.

Human figures depicted in a scene with a cow at Laas Geel

Human figures depicted in a scene with a cow at Laas Geel (J McDowell / Flickr)

Today the archeological site is at risk due to destruction, looting, and clandestine excavation. Dust continues to destroy the rock art and according to chief site guide, Muse Abdi Jama, the once clear pictures on the rocks are fading on a daily basis as a result of wind propelled dust that has ensued with a strong dark coat on top of the paintings. Adding to the difficulties is the fact that Somaliland is not internationally recognized, and this ambiguous political status has prevented the historic artwork from being listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

In recent years, the Laas Geel rock paintings have become tourist attractions drawing visitors from around the world. We can only hope that with more attention comes greater efforts to conserve and protect these treasured artworks from the past. 

Top image: Some of the many paintings inside the Laas Geel caves, near Hargeisa in Somaliland/Somalia. Photo by: Abdullah Geelah. 2006. (Wikimedia Commons)

References

Morris, Harvey. "Postcard from... Laas Geel." The Independent. August 23, 2014. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/postcard-from-laas-geel-9686871.html

Richardin, Pascale. "The Decorated Shelters of Laas Geel and the Rock Art of Somaliland." The Decorated Shelters of Laas Geel and the Rock Art of Somaliland. https://www.academia.edu/1471836/The_decorated_shelters_of_Laas_Geel_and_the_rock_art_of_Somaliland

"Pristine Examples of Neolithic Rock Art." CyArk. http://www.cyark.org/projects/rock-art-sites-of-somaliland/in-depth

B, Andy. "Laas Gaal." The Megalithic Portal. March 11, 2011. http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=29211

"A Guided Tour of Laas Gaal's Mysterious Neolithic Rock Art." The Observers. August 2, 2013. http://observers.france24.com/content/20130208-tour-laas-gaal-rock-art-somaliland

Hasan, Yusuf. "Somaliland: Oh Laas Geel! Laas Geel! What Has Thy Done to Thee?" Somaliland: Oh Laas Geel! Laas Geel! What Has Thy Done to Thee? http://www.somalilandsun.com/index.php/in-depth/1747-somaliland-oh-laas-geel-laas-geel-what-has-thy-done-to-thee

By Bryan Hilliard

 

Comments

Which is the ancient site means 2500-2000 years old or older sites like rock cut caves, ancient temples or ruins etc. Not necessarily prehistoric but ancient. Thx.

I'm surprised that this site is still intact. What with the IS bulldozing everything ancient that their terrorists come near (and those that they don't come near as well), you would expect that the Somali government would do the same and destroy this site.

Archaeologists had better do something to preserve this site now before it's too late. Maybe it already is, since this story has been posted.

Many years ago I came across an article about extremely large rough cut stones/boulders that were either in a large mound or a filled in valley.
I remember that it was supposed to be cursed and fairly impenetrable, those that tried to wiggle through never came out.
There was a picture, but I cannot remember where it was I'm thinking Eastern Europe/Russia. The article stated it was very ancient and was constructed to keep people out.
Any help is truly appreciated, thank you.

My partner calls me outside to look at the Dragon in the sky. She often sees all sorts of ‘animals’ in the clouds but upon pointing them out to me I can't see that which she sees.

The same applies to these cow pictures, I do not see cows and neither can anybody else. What we are looking at is that which our current cultural paradigm allow us to see. The closest approximation to some thing which we know.

I suggest that the symbols might be a depiction for the age of Taurus, perhaps.

 

 

Bryan Hill's picture

Bryan

Bryan graduated with a Bachelor of Art in History from Suffolk University and has a background in museum volunteering and as well as working with children’s groups at the Museum of Science and the National Park Service.  He has traveled... Read More

Next article