Report on fieldwork - First investigation on the site of Wakarida (March 21st - April 2nd 2011) : To the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (ARCCH)

摘要

Even if South Arabian influence is obvious in economy, trade, and social structures in both "pre-Aksumite" and Aksumite civilization, the history of Ethiopia is still misunderstood. Therefore, the archaeological investigations on the site of Wakarida (Tigrai region / Ethiopia) have two major aims: 1/ a contribution to the periodization of the Antiquity in Ethiopia - since no chronological classification of any artefact has been yet established for Ancient Ethiopia; 2/ a study of the evolution of Ancient Ethiopian civilisation and its contacts with other countries, from the Mediterranean Sea to India. The choice of this site is due on one hand to its geographic situation (even if distant of the main axes of circulation already known, it is turned towards the Red Sea), on the other hand to an important chronological sequence that may be obtained according to the already collected pottery on surface. A comparative study has to be carried out especially on potteries coming from various sites, but also on different types of construction, and artefacts. Before any extensive excavation, the archaeological potential of the site as well as its area and its organization had to be assessed as a priority. Specific fieldwork objectives were to implement a sampling design which employed geomantic techniques including GPS (Global Positioning System) and GIS (Geographic Information System) to initiate a more systematic survey which employed specific techniques including geophysical methods. Three test excavations consisting on soundings have been opened, and a few pedestrian surveys have been carried out around the site, in order to recognize the real expansion of the archaeological area, and even other settlements nearby.