Dhambalin

Dhambalin
Snakes, sheep and goat polychrome with symbolic elements and other rock art in the cave complex
Map showing the location of Dhambalin
Map showing the location of Dhambalin
Map showing the location of Dhambalin
Map showing the location of Dhambalin
LocationDhambalin, Sahil, Somaliland
Coordinates10°23′59″N 45°54′01″E / 10.399768°N 45.900335°E / 10.399768; 45.900335
AccessPublic

Dhambalin ("half, vertically cut mountain") is an archaeological site in the central Sahil province of Somaliland. The sandstone rock shelter contains rock art depicting various animals such as horned cattle and goats, as well as giraffes, an animal no longer found in the country.[1] The site also features the earliest known pictures of sheep in Somaliland. Discovered in autumn 2007, residents of Beenyo Dhaadheer reported the rock art to the Somali archaeologist Sada Mire, Director of the Department of Archaeology within the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of Somaliland.[2]

The archaeological site is dated to about 5000 years ago.[1] The images provide an important link to the rock art of the Horn of Africa, particularly in their representation of its pastoral cultures and fauna.[3]

The site is endangered because of a lack of adequate security arrangements. Though the archaeological study has been done with funding by the UN, the site's recognition as UNESCO World Heritage Site is not feasible at this stage as Somaliland is not recognized as an independent nation, and also not ratified the 1972 World Heritage Convention.[4]

  1. ^ a b Alberge, Dalya (September 17, 2010). "UK archaeologist finds cave paintings at 100 new African sites Scientist unearths 5,000-year-old rock art, including drawing of a mounted hunter, in Somaliland". The Guardian. Retrieved 25 May 2013.
  2. ^ Mire, Sada (December 2008). "The Discovery of Dhambalin Rock Art Site, Somaliland". African Archaeological Review. 3-4. 25 (3–4): 153–168. doi:10.1007/s10437-008-9032-2. S2CID 162960112.
  3. ^ Mire, Sada (2008). "The Discovery of Dhambalin Rock Art Site, Somaliland The Discovery of Dhambalin Rock Art Site, Somaliland". African Archaeological Review. 25 (3–4): 153–168. doi:10.1007/s10437-008-9032-2. S2CID 162960112.
  4. ^ "'First-aid' needed for 5,000-year-old Somali cave paintings". Karst World.Com. 5 February 2011. Retrieved 27 May 2013.