Ethnoarchaeological Study of Grind stones at Lakia’a in Adwa, Tigray Regional State, Ethiopia
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The Purpose of this study was to conduct an ethnoarchaeological study of grind stones at Lakia’a
in order to generate ethnoarchaeologically based ideas which can help better understand grind
stones in the archaeological record. Efforts have been made to address the research questions of
this study using primary data and secondary sources. Simple random sampling and purposive
method of sampling were employed to prepare a sample size for this study. Observation and
interview methods were used to gather data from the sample and their grind stones, and grind
stone quarry sites. The gathered data were analyzed and interpreted qualitatively and
quantitatively. Correspondingly, the results of this study reveal that the society used grind stones
of different raw materials across time. Men undertake practical raw material choice and initial
stage of grind stone preparation at the quarry site while women participate in a consultation
regarding raw material choice at home and prepare food for the quarry men. Women also
perform exclusively the leveling work of grind stone production at home, hammerstone
acquisition and the work of foodstuffs grinding. The grind stones are placed in the kitchen and
are used to process wide range of foodstuffs. Grind stones are one of the best bridges that
connect the people socially and economically. A grind stone and a mano can serve
approximately 20-80 years and 4-7 years respectively. Grind stones are reused in the area for
different uses after discard. The finding also shows that significant number of people take their
useable grind stones with them while they change their settlement mainly due to cultural
preference and the fear to take the risk of grind stone production. Furthermore, the finding shows
that modern grinding machine could not replace traditional grind stones especially to process
ceremonial foods. The results from Lakia’a are combined with the available archaeological data
to strengthen the conclusions given by scholars about grinding equipments
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Keywords
grind stones