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| Figure 1: Map of Ethiopia displaying the location of the site discovered in Harlaa |
Ethiopia is a hot spot for anthropological research. It has and continues to be home to several
paleoanthropological discoveries, which has been the primary focus of
investigations in the region. This
trend, however, has begun to change, leading to the recent discovery of an
ancient city in Harlaa (Eastern Ethiopia; Figure 1). This city remained a local legend for
years. Residents could see remnants of
large buildings and walls constructed with stones too large to be handled by a
single person and believed that the city must have been created and inhabited
by giants. Archaeologists, in
collaboration with local people, excavated the site over the past two years,
and while they cannot provide any evidence to support the giant myth they have
made some pretty interesting discoveries about religious foundations and trade
networks of the region.
The city in Harlaa spans about 1000 meters and consists of
large stone buildings and walls, a 12th century mosque (the holy
building that Muslims worship in), and an Islamic cemetery consisting of at
least 300 people. This city was occupied
between the 10th and 15th centuries and is being called a
cosmopolitan center and potential gateway of trade with African cultures and
several outside groups. This claim is
based on the discovery of several foreign items, including glass vessels, rock
crystal, carnelian and glass beads, cowery shell, ceramics, bronze and silver
coins all imported from the Middle East (Yemen and Egypt), Asia (India and
China), and oceanic destinations (Madagascar and the Maldives). The sites location, which is 120 km from the
shore, makes it an optimal place for traders to meet up to participate in their
work.
This location also served as an ideal location for the dissemination
of religion and people. The presence of
the mosque and cemetery where hundreds of Muslims were buried support this
point, but the archaeological artifacts also suggest that foreign peoples may
have moved to the site. The site played
host to jewelry manufacturing and the primary technique employed by jewelers came
from India. It is too early in the
investigation to determine if this technique or the Indian craftspeople
themselves were imported, but it is definitely an area of investigation that
archaeologists plan to explore in the coming years.
At present several different artifacts have been
discovered, which you can view here in this video. The plan is for
archaeologists and local Ethiopians to build a heritage center to showcase
several of the artifacts. Some
additional pieces will be on display at the main museum in the Ethiopian
capital of Addis Adaba. Ultimately,
though, further investigations will be conducted at the site and surrounding
area to determine the full magnitude of religious foundations and international
trade that was based at this site of east Africa.
References
Exeter. 2017. “Ancient City Found In Ethiopia Sheds New
Light on Country’s History.”
Phys.org. https://phys.org/news/2017-06-ancient-city-ethiopia-country-history.html
Karasavvas, T.
2017. “10th Century
Forgotten City Unearthed in Ethiopia, Once Thought to the Home of Giants.” Ancient Origins. http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/10th-century-forgotten-city-unearthed-ethiopia-once-thought-be-home-giants-021452
Katz, B. 2017. “Remains of Thriving Trade City Found in
Ethiopia.” Smithsonian Magazine. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/remains-thriving-trade-city-found-ethiopia-180963757/
No Author. 2017. “Archaeologists
in Ethiopia Uncover Ancient City in Harlaa.”
BBC News. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-40301959
No Author. 2017. “12th Century Muslim City
Discovered in Ethiopia.” Archaeology
News Network. https://archaeologynewsnetwork.blogspot.gr/2017/06/12th-century-muslim-city-discovered-in.html#hvB6zoyMAOh73li4.97
18 comments:
Are there very many spots in Ethiopia that are sacred and therefore can't be excavated?
I am not sure. Simply because a site is sacred doesn't necessarily disqualify it from being excavated. If modern people and/or the government do not allow a site to be excavated that's typically the primary reason (although not the only reason) why a site will not be excavated, and when this happens it's sometimes because they identify the site as sacred and do not want that sacred space violated. I think there are other factors at play that have prevented archaeological excavations in Ethiopia, factors that are slowly disappearing.
Akwila Cooks
It blows my mind that there are still many different things and cities still being discover. I am not well educated on the country of Ethiopia but I think the discovery of Harlaa is amazing. I think that displaying some of the artifacts that they found at Ethiopian capital of Addis Adaba would be very beneficial.
This is Amber Barnes, I was wondering if since the sight has religious status if other people of other religions are allowed to place foot on the sacred ground? I know this may sound weird but I know that some religious beliefs conflict each other and cause others to be banned from stepping foot on it.
That's actually an excellent question. Regarding the answer to it, that ultimately depends on both the religion of the group of closest affiliation, as well as the religious preferences of those stepping onto the site. A group can ask that others not go to the site, but ultimately those individuals must be respectful of those wishes. Alternatively, the group may have no preference, but others may abstain from going to the site due to their own religious ideals. So there really is not a cut and dry answer, but it's an answer nonetheless. :)
It is interesting to see that religious culture dates back as far as the 12th century. Muslim culture is big in today's world and to see the practice being used in Ethiopia is very intriguing.
The trade network and Muslim religion must have had a huge impact on ancient Ethiopian culture. I wonder what cultural ideas were exchanged among surrounding countries during this time. What's interesting to me are the stories passed down about giants and mythical creatures in ancient civilizations. Has there been any evidence of mythical creatures? Or are these stories like the child's game telephone with crazy imagination?
While cultural ideas are passed through various means the notions of mythical creatures are typically the result of people trying to understand the natural world but being unable to discover a "natural" explanation that fits within their world view. Therefore, they will often turn to the supernatural explanations to understand those phenomenon. I go over this in my post about vampires. :)
So my question is this.. since this was known also as a site for people of religion is this the place they handle all their religious meetings like marriage, church, funerals, or celebrations?
Not necessarily. It would depend on how the cultural group views these rituals-as religious or nonreligious events. That would dictate where they were held.
Im trying to understand the concept of the sacred ground i just cant comprehend the theory. i understand how the say Eithopia has hot spots and muslims has a big impact on eithopia culture.
Kenneth Granger
It is pretty cool that archaeologists can tell from the size of artifacts the people that put them together. It is also interesting to me that the what is left of the mosque's and the cemeteries shows that Ethiopia was grounds for religion. Through artifacts, it is easy to show evidence of what may have occured in the past. But, my one question is, how do they know that giants were the ones that constructed these large buildings?
Regina Artison
Regina, you may want to reread the post. Archaeologists cannot and do not support this myth, which comes from the local residents. :). This myth may have come from the belief that people in the past could not create such large structures, which is a false notion.
PhinasiaButler
it amazes me on what we can find that sitting under our noses. this makes me wonder what am i walking orver or steping in and what artifacts and/or stones and gems that are lying beneath me.
Its really amazing that the earth has all of us this history that has yet to be discovered, who really knows how much the world doesn't know because things are being discovered everyday. Hey, I could be sitting on top of an artifact right now while sitting here responding to this blog.
-Kaleshia Gibson
I wonder if there are other countries across the world that archeologist like to dig upon and what great discovers did they find. It is really astonishing to me of what we could find right here in or own town what i could be walking or driving over quite interesting. - Mykia Chaney
So are there a lot of sacred spots in Ethiopia that can't be excavated? Muslim religion was interesting as well. i guess maybe because my grandpa was muslin.
-Kyla Thomas
To learn that Muslims have a big impact on the Ethiopia culture is enlightening to me due to the me being a believer in Islam. Also the the fact that jewelry manufacturing was also apart of the site.
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