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  Location on Socotra  Hoq Cave (Horn of Africa) | |
| Location | Yemen |
|---|---|
| Region | Socotra Archipelago |
| Coordinates | 12°35′11″N 54°21′15″E / 12.58639°N 54.35417°E |
The Hoq Cave or Hawk Cave (Arabic: كهف هوق) is a limestone cave on the island of Socotra, Yemen. It is located in the Hala spot approximately 1.5 km from the north-eastern coast, facing the open sea to northeast. Clearly visible from the sea, but difficult to access, it is situated at an altitude of 350 m. The about-2-km-deep cave has a main passage with a mean width of 50 m and a mean height of 20 m. Sunlight reaches about 200 m from the entrance. The temperature is constant during the year and varies between 25 and 27 °C, with a humidity higher than 95%.[1]
All sorts of speleothems, where numerous endemic troglobionts are living, can be found along the way into the cave.
A range of epigraphy from the 1st to the 6th century CE has been recorded in the back part of the cave, placing Socotra as a major hub in the overseas trading links in ancient times, where merchants from all coasts of the northern Indian Ocean were brought together.[2]
- ^ Exploring the Hoq Cave Retrieved 17 February 2023.
- ^ Evers, Kasper (2014–15). "Cave of Revelations: Indian Ocean Trade in light of the Socotran Graffiti". Journal of Indian Ocean Archaeology. 10–11: 19–37.