From 90th century BCE
Tigray, northern Ethiopia
Gobedra Rock-shelter near Aksum preserves a Later Stone Age sequence on the plateau of northern Ethiopia. Its earliest industry consisted of large backed blades with minimal retouch; this was replaced around the ninth millennium BC by a two-phase microlithic industry, only the later phase being associated with pottery. The latest occupation produced scraper-dominated material comparable to assemblages from protohistoric Aksumite sites.
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The Story
Gobedra Rock-shelter lies near Aksum on the plateau of northern Ethiopia. Its sequence begins with an industry of large backed blades that received only minimal retouch, documenting a technological tradition distinct from the later microlithic assemblages found at the site.
Around the ninth millennium BC, the backed-blade industry was replaced by a microlithic tradition divided into two phases. Pottery is associated only with the second phase, making the sequence useful for tracing the changing relationship between stone technology and ceramic production in northern Ethiopia.
The most recent inhabitants of Gobedra produced an industry dominated by scrapers. These tools were considered comparable to those found on protohistoric Aksumite sites, linking the shelter’s later archaeological record to the broader development of northern Ethiopian societies.
From 90th century BCE
Tigray, northern Ethiopia
Gobedra Rock-shelter near Aksum preserves a Later Stone Age sequence on the plateau of northern Ethiopia. Its earliest industry consisted of large backed blades with minimal retouch; this was replaced around the ninth millennium BC by a two-phase microlithic industry, only the later phase being associated with pottery. The latest occupation produced scraper-dominated material comparable to assemblages from protohistoric Aksumite sites.
Continue exploring
The Story
Gobedra Rock-shelter lies near Aksum on the plateau of northern Ethiopia. Its sequence begins with an industry of large backed blades that received only minimal retouch, documenting a technological tradition distinct from the later microlithic assemblages found at the site.
Around the ninth millennium BC, the backed-blade industry was replaced by a microlithic tradition divided into two phases. Pottery is associated only with the second phase, making the sequence useful for tracing the changing relationship between stone technology and ceramic production in northern Ethiopia.
The most recent inhabitants of Gobedra produced an industry dominated by scrapers. These tools were considered comparable to those found on protohistoric Aksumite sites, linking the shelter’s later archaeological record to the broader development of northern Ethiopian societies.