Archaeology and Heritage Management

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Browsing Archaeology and Heritage Management by Author "Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)"

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    Archaeological Investigation in Ahferom Woreda, Tigray: Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2014-06) Zerue, Kifle; Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)
    This study has been attempted to assess and document the hitherto uninvestigated but potentially rich archaeological area of Ahferom Woreda, in central Tigray highland of northern Ethiopia. To this end, systematic reconnaissance survey, oral history, and typological analysis of ceramics as well as other archaeological remains have been done. Based on this, eight new archaeological sites have been discovered and documented. The study also provides key insights into settlement distributions and cultural traditions of the area. Most of the sites are strategically located along the traditional trade routes and in the place where abundant natural resources like high potential water flow is found for irrigation agriculture. This indicates ecological and socio-economic (trade) factors contribute for the development of ancient village settlements in the region. Decoration and color analysis of pottery along with other archaeological evidence show that period occupation of the three settlement sites has been dated from the earliest phase of first millennium BC to the Middle and/or late phase of the first Millennium AD. This suggests that they had experienced marked continuity in site occupation. Detailed study of settlement findings and ceramic artifact analysis from the five sites, on the other hand, reflects evidence of Pre-Aksumite period occupation. Bidirectional cultural interactions (locally and regionally) are also evident from typological analyses of ceramics, bronze ornaments, masonry architecture, and astonishing monolithic pillars. This study also presents the threats to the archaeological sites and archaeological objects. Moreover, it produced baseline data for future archaeological investigations and possible conservation works
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    Classification of Pottery Collections from the Site of Hawlti-Melazo at ARCCH and its Regional Implications
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-11) Girmaye, Andualem; Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)
    The main purpose of this study is to classify and analyze the pottery collections from the Hawlti-Melazo site housed in the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage store room and compare it with other previous findings in the region. The classification of the Hawelti-Melazo collection carried out in the ARCCH laboratory resulted in the division of the collection into nine categories based on their major attributes such as type, form, shape and function. These major divisions include figurine, bowl, handle, jar, pot, body sherd, rim sherd, cup, incense burner and others. The study has revealed that the site could have been settled during both pre-Aksumite and Aksumite times. The study also indicated that the site might have been either a sanctuary or a settlement where both the ruling elite and the common people might have lived together. Based on the comparisons made with previous studies, the ceramic technology has direct and indirect parallels with Aksum, Yeha, Adulis, Nubia, the Mediterranean world and the Byzantine Vessels
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    Documentation of Cultural Landscapes in Welkait Woreda: Western Tigray, North Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2016-11) Demis, Yilikal; Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)
    This study was conducted in Welkait Woreda, Western Tigray in particular the heritage sites of Bete Mulu, the Burials of Women (“Weyzazirt Mekabir”), Ona Eyesus Church, Zuwa Kidne Mihret Church, May Gaba Mikael, and Medhanialem Holy Water. The main objective of this study is to document the cultural values and history of these sites for the purpose of heritage management and possibly tourism development. To achieve the stated objectives, the researcher designed a proper methodology which includes both primary and secondary data sources. The primary data was collected through pedestrian survey, interview and field observation from these study sites. To support the primary data, secondary data was also collected and all were analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. However, the research has involved more of qualitative than quantitative method. Purposive (judgmental) sampling techniques were employed in order to select the study sites and respondents within the study area. During the study, a total of 8 tumuli, 3 churches, a Castle, and Holy Water sites were identified. The burial tradition in this area was also compared with other sites in the country and the region. Accordingly, it is observed that there is a similarity and continuity of the tradition in terms of the material composition, shape and spatial coverage. Ruined churches and medieval structures were also documented for the first time. Based on the findings of the study, the researcher recommends that creating community awareness, establishing sufficient infrastructural conditions, and continuous promotion of the area should be the focus done by the concerned authority. This paper also recommends that participation and coordination of all concerned bodies and stake holders is imperative in supporting and conserving the unique landscape values of the study area
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    Reconstructing Food Systems from the Late Holocene Context of Mochena Borago Rock shelter, Wolayta, Southern Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2015-06) Tamerat, Medhanit; Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)
    Mochena Borago rock shelter is a very rich archaeological site with one of the most complete late Pleistocene cultural sequence in the Horn of Africa. Despite the rich cultural sequence, the pre-history and historic period of human and plant interaction and ecological history of this site are poorly documented and reconstructed. The objective of this study was to reconstruct food systems of the ancient inhabitants of Mochena Borago rock shelter in the Late Holocene period. Archaeobotanical investigation was conducted on a 27 soil sample bags of 2000 and 2001 French Field seasons at the Laboratory of the ARCCH (Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage).For the better interpretation of the archaeaobotanical materials and data, ethnoarcheological studies were undertaken in the five Kebeles of Sodo Zurea Woreda. Based on this, a total of 64 plant spices were documented and 112 seeds and fruit stones were identified by the Archaeobotanical investigation which included Sapindaceae cf. Deinbollia type (n=55), Myrtaceae cf. Syzigium guineense type (n=33), Plectranthus edulis (n=9), Euphorbiaceae Croton sp. (n=7), Cordia cf. africana (n=2), Ebenaceae cf. Diospyros (n=1), Olea europaea sub sp. cuspidate (n=1) and the rest four were unidentified. The ethnobotanical documentation reveled that five plant types that were used as food, medicine and raw materials to be similar with the plants recovered by Archaeobotanical investigation. Among the identified botanical remains, Plectranthus edulis which is an indigenous crop for the study area, Cordia cf.africana and Olea europaea sub sp. cusipdata are reported for the first time in archaeobotanical context in the whole region of EthiopiaMochena
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    Techno Typological Analysis of Developed Oldowan Early Acheulean Assemblages from Garba IV C and D, Melka Kunture (Upper Awash), Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2015-06) Gitaw, Niguss; Beldados, Alemseged(PhD)
    This thesis conceives of an analysis of Early Stone Age collections from Melka Kunture, particularly at Garba IV levels C and D. They were excavated between 1972 to 1985 and are today stored at the Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritage. In spite of ongoing researches conducted at these localities, raw material influence on the knapping process of the knappers and the technological features of the previously nominated artifact traditions called “Developed Oldowan” is poorly understood. Methodologies like typological classification, measurement of the technological axis, width, depth and so forth, identification of raw material, understanding of thickness evennes along the technological line of artifacts were employed to address the problem. The production techniques were influenced by the type of raw material. Although large flake productions are not large in number, their appearance is an essential indicator about the emergence of the Acheulean. The low number of Large Cutting Tools is determined by the original size of the unworked material. On account of this, not only frequency of Large Cutting Tools, but also understanding various technological innovations of an artifact has been found to be important in characterizing Early Acheulean site. Therefore, the artifact tradition called “Developed Oldowan” was not understood to be independet technologicaly. It, rather, bears an evidence of technological similarities with the Early Acheulean