À partir de XXXIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Egypt and Ethiopia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Obsidian was used in Egypt during Predynastic times even though it does not occur naturally there. Comparative examination found Egyptian obsidian artefacts very similar to Ethiopian obsidian, supporting the conclusion that the material was imported from Ethiopia and that trade relations existed between the two regions at an early date.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Obsidian does not occur in Egypt, yet it was used there as early as Predynastic times, before approximately 3100 BCE. This discrepancy between local geology and archaeological use prompted comparative examination of Egyptian objects and obsidian deposits in neighbouring countries. The material itself became evidence for contacts extending beyond the Nile Valley.
The analysed Egyptian obsidian was found to be very similar to obsidian occurring in Ethiopia. On that basis, the material was interpreted as imported from Ethiopia rather than locally obtained. The comparison thus connected an artefact’s composition with a probable geological source and transformed a mineral identification into evidence for exchange.
The example supports the conclusion that trade relations existed between Egypt and Ethiopia from very early times. The extract presents this as a general model for archaeometric research: locating the source of foreign materials can help establish the paths through which they moved. It does not identify a particular Egyptian settlement, Ethiopian quarry, or named commercial route.
À partir de XXXIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Egypt and Ethiopia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Obsidian was used in Egypt during Predynastic times even though it does not occur naturally there. Comparative examination found Egyptian obsidian artefacts very similar to Ethiopian obsidian, supporting the conclusion that the material was imported from Ethiopia and that trade relations existed between the two regions at an early date.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Obsidian does not occur in Egypt, yet it was used there as early as Predynastic times, before approximately 3100 BCE. This discrepancy between local geology and archaeological use prompted comparative examination of Egyptian objects and obsidian deposits in neighbouring countries. The material itself became evidence for contacts extending beyond the Nile Valley.
The analysed Egyptian obsidian was found to be very similar to obsidian occurring in Ethiopia. On that basis, the material was interpreted as imported from Ethiopia rather than locally obtained. The comparison thus connected an artefact’s composition with a probable geological source and transformed a mineral identification into evidence for exchange.
The example supports the conclusion that trade relations existed between Egypt and Ethiopia from very early times. The extract presents this as a general model for archaeometric research: locating the source of foreign materials can help establish the paths through which they moved. It does not identify a particular Egyptian settlement, Ethiopian quarry, or named commercial route.