Beta Samati: discovery and excavation of an Aksumite town

Harrower, Michael J., Dumitru, Ioana A., Perlingieri, Cinzia, Nathan, Smiti, Zerue, Kifle, Lamont, Jessica L., Bausi, Alessandro, Swerida, Jennifer L., Bongers, Jacob L., Woldekiros, Helina S., Poolman, Laurel A., Pohl, Christie M., Brandt, Steven A. and Peterson, Elizabeth A. (2019) Beta Samati: discovery and excavation of an Aksumite town. Antiquity, 93 (372). pp. 1534-1552. ISSN 0003-598X

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Abstract

The Empire of Aksum was one of Africa's most influential ancient civilisations. Traditionally, most archaeological fieldwork has focused on the capital city of Aksum, but recent research at the site of Beta Samati has investigated a contemporaneous trade and religious centre located between Aksum and the Red Sea. The authors outline the discovery of the site and present important finds from the initial excavations, including an early basilica, inscriptions and a gold intaglio ring. From daily life and ritual praxis to international trade, this work illuminates the role of Beta Samati as an administrative centre and its significance within the wider Aksumite world.

Item Type: Article
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Arts and Humanities > Research Centres > Sainsbury Research Unit for the Arts of Africa, Oceania and the Americas
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Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 17 Dec 2019 03:31
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2023 00:17
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/73386
DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2019.84

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