Somalilandsun : About 40km outside Hargeisa, the capital of Somaliland, an independent republic that the international community and the government in Mogadishu consider a part of Somalia, lies Laas Geel.
The complex of caves with ancient rock art is one of the least known and best preserved ancient marvel of the Middle East. The paintings cover an area of 10 rock caves, also known as ‘alcoves’. Stunning figurines depict wild animals such as giraffes, and decorated cattle, like cows and bullocks. It is believed the paintings, made in an erratic pattern, are the work of the herders who resided in these caves thousands of years ago.
The paintings look like they were made a few hundred years ago, but are, in fact, between 5,000 and 7,000 years old. In the modern era, Somalia (and Somaliland) have been totally off the tourist map; as a result, there are few signs of any human damage in Laas Geel. I went there on a Somaliland government sponsored trip. I can tell you that Somaliland is one of the safest places I have ever been to.
Continue reading 11 must-see sights of the Middle East and North Africa
