Early Somali Life Depicted In Cave Paintings

RedOrbit ^ | Monday, April 25, 2011 | Staff & Wire Reports

[SunkenCiv]

Laas Gaal, Somalia (also known as Laas Geel), just outside of Haregeisa, the capital of Somalia's self-declared Somaliland state, contains 10 caves that show vivid depictions of a pastoralist history which dates back to some 5,000 years or more, reports AFP. A French archaeology team was sent in 2002 to survey Somalia in search of rock shelters and caves that might contain stratified archaeological infills that could document the period when production economy appeared in this part of the Horn of Africa, according to Wikipedia. During the survey, the Laas Geel cave paintings were discovered. The paintings were in excellent condition, depicting ancient humans who lived in the area raising their hands and worshipping humpless cows with large lyre-shaped horns... Sada Mire, a Somali-born British archaeologist who is working to preserve the rare heritage, explained to AFP that the paintings of decorated cows, herders and wild animals show a period when the region that is now the barren Horn of Africa was lush and had plenty of wild animals. Laas Gaal, translated to mean "camel watering hole," no longer attracts herds of cattle to graze and water. Human settlement is sparse and the land is dry and parched.

[Towed_Jumper]

“Early Somali Life Depicted In Cave Paintings”

I suspect that “early Somali life” looked a lot like “current Somali life” —only without the AK47’s.

[taraytarah]

"We know that the painters were pastoralists who lived in a much better climate than the present.”

Ancient climate change due to those danged unregulated 1500 B.C. Somali carbon footprints.

[colorado tanker]

Back in the day there was a rumor some units might deploy to Djibouti during some crisis. I looked into the climate - a humid desert full of nasty insects. Sounded like one of the worst places on earth. Looks like it was much better back in that day.