Laas Geel
Somalia · Africa
Africa's finest Neolithic art — vivid polychrome cattle glowing in reds and oranges, only found in 2002
Age
~9,000–11,000 yrs
Period
Neolithic
Setting
Rock shelter
Art form
Paintings
Discovered
2002
Status
Open (Limited Access)
Discovered in 2002 by a French archaeological team, Laas Geel contains some of the best-preserved and most vivid prehistoric cave paintings in Africa. The polychrome images of decorated long-horned cattle, human figures and dogs glow in rich reds, oranges and whites — extraordinary colour survival in a desert climate.
Gallery
Notable Features
- ◦ Best-preserved Neolithic art in Africa
- ◦ Vivid polychrome cattle
- ◦ Only discovered in 2002
Depicted Subjects
Long-horned CattleDogsHuman FiguresGiraffe
Plan a Visit
AccessThis cave can be visited.
Sources & Further Reading
Hours & prices change — always confirm on the official site before travelling.
Photographs via Wikimedia Commons — image credits. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.