Vᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – IIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Northern Ethiopia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Haoulti is an archaeological site in northern Ethiopia associated with a distinctive group of pre-Aksumite sculptures and a unique stone naos-like monument. Its seated female statues display long robes, elaborate necklaces, counterweights, stylized hair, and ceremonial seating. The interpretation of the figures remains debated, ranging from queens or dignitaries to divine representations, but the association of statue fragments with the naos supports a cultic reading.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Haoulti is known for seated stone statues whose posture and ornamentation distinguish them within the pre-Aksumite artistic record. One statue had a head with stylized hair, a three-stranded necklace, a pectoral, a counterweight, and a long pleated robe. The lower part of the figure was designed to fit into a seat, indicating that the sculptor conceived the statue as part of a larger ceremonial monument.
The site also yielded fragments of at least two similar statues and a headless figure seated on a small stool. The latter was less delicately executed and carried only the three-stranded necklace as an ornament. Comparable postures and features occur in a statuette from Addi Galamo and in a fragment from a pre-Aksumite stratum at Matara, showing that the Haoulti type was not isolated.
The meaning of the statues is uncertain. They may have represented queens, dignitaries, or a great goddess, but the discovery of debris from the complete statue mixed with that of the naos, together with matching dimensions, supports the interpretation that the figures belonged to a cult monument. The monument has consequently been understood as a stone reproduction of a processional naos containing a divine statue.
Vᵉ siècle av. J.-C. – IIIᵉ siècle av. J.-C.
Northern Ethiopia
Traduction non disponible · Original (anglais) · français indisponible
Haoulti is an archaeological site in northern Ethiopia associated with a distinctive group of pre-Aksumite sculptures and a unique stone naos-like monument. Its seated female statues display long robes, elaborate necklaces, counterweights, stylized hair, and ceremonial seating. The interpretation of the figures remains debated, ranging from queens or dignitaries to divine representations, but the association of statue fragments with the naos supports a cultic reading.
Poursuivre l’exploration
Le récit
Haoulti is known for seated stone statues whose posture and ornamentation distinguish them within the pre-Aksumite artistic record. One statue had a head with stylized hair, a three-stranded necklace, a pectoral, a counterweight, and a long pleated robe. The lower part of the figure was designed to fit into a seat, indicating that the sculptor conceived the statue as part of a larger ceremonial monument.
The site also yielded fragments of at least two similar statues and a headless figure seated on a small stool. The latter was less delicately executed and carried only the three-stranded necklace as an ornament. Comparable postures and features occur in a statuette from Addi Galamo and in a fragment from a pre-Aksumite stratum at Matara, showing that the Haoulti type was not isolated.
The meaning of the statues is uncertain. They may have represented queens, dignitaries, or a great goddess, but the discovery of debris from the complete statue mixed with that of the naos, together with matching dimensions, supports the interpretation that the figures belonged to a cult monument. The monument has consequently been understood as a stone reproduction of a processional naos containing a divine statue.
Continuer le voyage
D’autres chemins liés à cette histoire.