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International Archives of the Photogrammetry, Remote Sensing and Spatial Information Sciences, Volume XL-5/W2, 2013
XXIV International CIPA Symposium, 2 — 6 September 2013, Strasbourg, France
LAAS GEEL (SOMALILAND):
5000 YEAR-OLD PAINTINGS CAPTURED IN 3D
L.Grenier? P. Antoniotti , G.Hamon , D.Happe
* Art Graphique et Patrimoine — 15, 15bis Av. J. Jaurès — 94340 Joinville-le-Pont - FRANCE
KEY WORDS: Laas Geel, Archaeology, Somaliland, Photogrammetry, 3D-modeling, laser-scanning.
ABSTRACT
Discovered in 2002 by a French archaeology team conducted by Prof. X. Gutherz, Laas Geel (Somaliland), is probably one
of the most remarkable archaeological site in the horn of Africa. Located in an isolated arid region, it is made of natural rocky
shelters on which hundreds of colored paintings still remain in a particularly good state of conservation. The first studies achieved in
the last decade let suppose that they are 5000 years old. After several studying and exploring expeditions, a 3Ddigitizing campaign
has been carried out by Art Graphique et Patrimoine, under the direction of X. Gutherz, with the support of the cultural service of the
French Embassy in Djibouti. The project was focused on three main goals: production of a high accuracy 3D-documentation for
scientific needs, archiving the 3D digital print recorded on site for the conservation and the saving of this heritage, and finally
diffusing the results throughout various kinds of media to reveal the site to the public, insisting on its vulnerability.
1. GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROJECT
1.1 Geopolitical context
The Laas Geel site is located in the Republic of
Somaliland. Not recognized by the international community, it
officially belongs to Somalia, but enjoys a de facto
independence since 1991, when the region seceded. Laas Geel
is located halfway between the two main cities of the country,
Hargeisa and Berbera.
Berbera
4
Somaliland fv
e
® Laas Geel
0 100 200 km
md
Fig.1 Situation of Laas Geel (Source: OpenStreetMap ;
http://www.openstreetmap.org)
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