Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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ARCHAEOBOTANICAL EVIDENCES FROM PRE-AKSUMITE AND AKSUMITE TIMES IN EASTERN TIGRAY: LESSONS FROM ONA-ADI [Abstract ID: 0101-03]

YEMANE Meresa, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Institute of Archaeology and Tourism, Aksum University, Ethiopia
Alemseged BELDADOS, Department of Archaeology and Heritage Management, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Cathrine D'ANDREA, Department of Archaeology and Humanities, SFU

Archaeobotanical analysis was conducted on a total of one thousand four hundred seventy five (n=1475) botanical remains in eastern Tigray, particularly at the site of Ona Adi. The objective of the study was to examine the agricultural economy in eastern Tigray (Gulomekeda) during the Pre-Aksumite period and its subsequent development during the Aksumite period, with a special emphasis on developments during the Pre-Aksumite to Aksumite transition. Soil samples (38.5 kilos) were also analyzed from various excavation spots at Ona Adi. The result of this study demonstrated the subsistence basis of the inhabitants from Pre-Aksumite and Aksumite periods. Moreover, it provides new insights into the agricultural economy of the region. Botanical remains include Hordeum vulgare (barley), Triticum durum/aestivum (free-threshing wheat), Lens culinaris (lentil), Linum usitatissimum (linseed), Guizotia abyssinica (noog), Eragrostis tef (t’ef), Eleusine coracana (finger millet), and other wild/weed. These findings revealed an important agricultural histo