The Expansion of the Aksumite Zone in the South of Tigray, an Unexplored Cultural Landscape

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Paul Yule
• Subject Area: Prehistory and World Archaeology
• Term: from 2013 to 2017
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 248470512

IntroductionThe discovery of a unique building ruin in the southern part of Ethiopia's Tigray Province promises to illuminate the neglected late history of the Aksumite cultural zone (c. 650-900 CE). But for a few exotic exceptions neither the archaeology of North-eastern Africa nor its early medieval period have been considered worthy goals for Western scholars. Regarding Ethiopia's early medieval period not a single book exists. Our project develops participating students and faculty in the disciplines of archaeology and history of the Mekelle and European universities. Later it shall strengthen the regional touristic infrastructure. Like no other research project has or can, ours' unites the talent of these institutions. It unites existing study groups which have been cultivated with care and which easily can dissolve. This is particularly dangerous world regions where very few competent experts work, as in Ethiopia.MethodsExcavation and survey combined yield the data acquisition necessary in order to chronologically contextualise the archaeological site of Mifsas Bahri. A web of studies comprised of radiocarbon, pottery and art history illuminate the chronology and identity of our study object. Anthropological fieldwork complements them. Numerous rare architectural sculptures are a main source of dating information. A thorough study of the stone building in Mifsas Bahri is prerequisite for its being developed as a monument for visitors. The study of human skeletons combines with those of the flora and fauna in order to reconstruct the medieval environment and its economy.Research perspectivesOur 'niche-research' between disciplines, geographic centres and main periods reveals itself as important source for historical science. The neglect of certain historic periods such as the Aksumite Late Period has less to do with stringent historic method and more with our latent Eurocentrism: At first sight North-east Africa has less relation with our own history than centres in the Near East, familiar to us from the Bible.Unforeseen Advantages of the ProjectThe opportunity to intensive study an archaeological site can readily yield unexpected windfall results. Our project opens for example the doors of the go down of the National Museum in Addis Ababa. As in the case of the research project in Zafar/Yemen (neighbouring Himyarite capital) the preservation of our documentation is not only a duty but is also an excellent opportunity to make our results available in an attractive quality. Digital image banks such as the HeidICON project of Heidelberg's University Library are a boon for interested persons and institutions in Africa, Asia and Europe.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Ethiopia
• Participating Person: Professor Dr. Wolbert Smidt