Salweyn
Archaeological site
Salweyn is located in Somaliland
Salweyn
Salweyn
Coordinates: 10°54′55″N 46°55′50″E / 10.91528°N 46.93056°E / 10.91528; 46.93056
Country Somaliland
RegionSanaag
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Salweyn, also known as Salwine, is a proto-Somali archaeological site located in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.

Overview

Salweyn is situated to the east of the old coastal town of Heis.[1] A small eponymous creek is located in the area.[2]

The site contains a very large field of cairns, which stretches for a distance of around 8 km.[1] An excavation of one of these tumuli by Georges Révoil in 1881 uncovered a tomb, beside which were artefacts pointing to an ancient, advanced civilization. The interred objects included pottery sherds from Samos, some well-crafted enamels, and a mask of Ancient Greek design.[2]

Additionally, close to the cairns are a number of rows of standing stones. These menhirs are similar to those at Heis and Botiala.[3]

Along with Macajilayn, Salweyn is also the only local site where specialized ancient disc-like monuments have been found.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c Somali Studies International Association, Hussein Mohamed Adam, Charles Lee Geshekter (ed.) (1992). The Proceedings of the First International Congress of Somali Studies. Scholars Press. pp. 39–40. ISBN 0891306587. Retrieved 13 October 2014. ((cite book)): |first1= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b Proceedings of the Royal Geographical Society of London. Royal Geographical Society of London. 1881. p. 571. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
  3. ^ Chittick, Neville (1984). Newsletter of the Society of Africanist Archaeologists, Issues 24-32. Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary. Retrieved 4 September 2014.
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