Les monuments mégalithiques du Somaliland

Abstract

Field investigations in Somaliland, quite scant but done as early as the xixth century, have allowed to evidence structures devoted mainly to funerary purpose. Briefly described in the literature, they provide nonetheless some typological and chronological indications. Surveys and excavations between 2002 and 2005 have also contributed to check the presence of numerous megalithic monuments with variable morphology. Review of previous work done by our predecessors added to our own research makes it possible to propose a preliminary typology – with four main types of monuments – and a tentative long-term chronology of the various forms of monuments. This chronological discussion will take into account the funerary steles formerly described or recently studied in a larger geographical area, extending on the whole Horn of Africa.

Keywords

• Neolithic
• tumulus
• stelae
• standing stones