Archaeological Investigation in Ahferom Woreda, Tigray: Ethiopia
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Date
2014-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
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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Keywords
Archaeological Investigation,Archaeollogy