Karin Heegan is one of the most significant Neolithic caves in
#Somalia. Itโs located between Milxo &
#Bosaso in Eastern Sanaag/Bari region of Somalia. Unlike the much-hyped Laas Geel which the Somaliland separatist sympathisers discovered in 2002 to boost the illegal recognition, the Karin Heegan was known & protected by the locals for centuries since the Warsangeli Sultanate in mid last millennium. Itโs extensively studied by both locals & international archeologists.
The most important lithic archeological sites/caves discovered & studied in the Horn of Africa concentrate in
#DJebouti &
#Northeastern State of Somalia (Eastern Sanaag & Sool region) as per depicted in the map below.
In Southern
#Somalia the inter-riverine granite inselberg (Buur) in Bay region near Burhakaba is significant. Among them is Bur Haybe โThe potters Hillโ which is by far the most explored archaeological complex in Somalia dating back Pleistocene period (>11,000 years ago). The Gogoshiis Qabe cave studied since 1930s, is believed to be the cave mentioned in the Quran in Surat Al-Kahf. Its traditional oral Somali source.
Thereโre more than dozens of other cave complexes throughout Somalia that are yet to be studied (externally). Some studied by past Somali governments both published & unpublished. For example, in Bari region (Calmiskaat in Eastern Golis) in
#Puntland there are dozens of complex cave systems with rock arts, paintings & artefacts. Much of the artefacts were looted & smuggled out of the country during the past three decades. Since 2025 there is reportedly ongoing smuggling mafia syndicate under the cover of war on terror led by UAE sponsored Colombian mercenaries.
Karin Bowbowloho, near
#Bosaso, is one of the most significant cave complexes that has been known to locals for centuries. Unfortunately, itโs been occupied by ASIS for the past decade & have been the target of extensive air bombardment in the past year.
In
#Eyl district of
#Nugal region there are dozens of important archaeological sites including rock paintings similar to Laas Geel & Karin Heegan such as those in God Quraanle. In fact, Nugaal region, particularly around Eyl, was the first archeological project site in Somalia for both the Italian colony a century ago & Somali government in 1960s. The first burial site treasure similar to that of Pharaohs of Egypt was discovered in Dhagah-dalool near Eyl in early 1960s. The treasure was in the custody of the Somali government in
#Mogadishu as far as I know. The American oil giant, Conocco Phillips, had an airport near Eyl in 1980s and locals reported lots of archeological & geological exploration & material exportations just like Italians between 1920s-1950s.
So Laas Geel is truely beautiful cave painting rock art that showcases the heritage of our Cushitic forefathers during the Pastoral revolution some 5,000-7,000 years ago. But itโs NOT the only one nor is it the most significant. Rather itโs the newest discovery.
Generally, wherever there is Buur (Iselberg), Cal (mountain), Karin (Hill), God (Cave) in the Somali inhabited region of the Horn of Africa there is archaeological significance. Most of whom had significant religious, cultural & spiritual importance historically for the early Cushites. Many of them continue to have similar cultural & spiritual significance for many local Somali clans.
Sadly, some of the most important sites are in the hands of AS & ISIS terrorists (Like Buur & Calmiskaat). Therefore, I call upon the Somalia Federal Government, all the regional authorities & their international partners including governments of DJebouti, Kenya & Ethiopia, in particular, whom we share much of this unique heritage to do their utmost to protect our collective heritage which is also world heritage.
Similarly, I do urge international & Somali scholars, archeologists, historians & activists to advocate the protection, proper exploration & help raise the awareness both locally and internationally.