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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RESULTS OF THE HARLAA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY, ETHIOPIA [Abstract ID: 0510-13]

Nadia KHALAF, Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter

This paper will discuss the initial results of a field survey carried out at the village of Harlaa near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, as part of the ERC-funded project ‘Becoming Muslim: Conversion to Islam and Islamisation in Eastern Ethiopia’ (694254-ERC-2015-AdG). The main aim of the survey was to record features found in the village associated with the medieval Islamic period (c.10th-14th C. AD), and create a comprehensive topographic map of the area and the associated gazetteer. During the survey, over 100 features of archaeological interest were identified including Harlaa period housing, storage pits, wells and grave markers. These findings compliment the ongoing excavations directed by Timothy Insoll indicating that Harlaa was a multi-component site with extensive evidence for trade, industry, settlement, and burial centers as well as mosques and defensive walls.