Recent archaeological discoveries in Natka-Bila’e, central Tigray, northern Ethiopia
2025, 34, No. 1
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Abstract
This study documents recent archaeological discoveries at the kebele of Natka-Bila’e, located in Laelay Maichew Woreda, approximately 12 km south of Aksum, northern Ethiopia. Despite its high archaeological potential, the area has remained largely unexplored. The primary aim of this study is to identify and document archaeological sites within Natka-Bila’e, analyze their functional histories, and establish tentative chronological frameworks. The research methodology included an integrated literature review, pedestrian surveys, and interviews with purposefully selected community members. The investigation uncovered a wide range of artifacts, including the remains of ruined structures, fired bricks, potsherds, grinding and polishing stones, obsidian tools, iron slag, and column bases. A qualitative approach was employed for data analysis, revealing that the most commonly encountered materials were potsherds, grinding stones, and structural remains — indicators of settlement sites. By correlating these findings with material from other well-dated archaeological contexts, the sites at Natka-Bila’e are tentatively dated to continuous occupation from the Early Aksumite through the Post-Aksumite periods. In conclusion, the study identified numerous previously undocumented sites in the Aksum region, revealing a dense settlement pattern that had not been recognized before. These findings underscore the need for further detailed, interdisciplinary investigations to fully understand the scope of human activity in this archaeologically rich area.
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