Archeologists are unearthing an oldest town in Northern Ethiopia, Tigrai State near Shire town. The oldest town is called Mai Adrasha. Though the archeological researches are continuing, the archeologists are near to conclude that the stories of the culture and lifestyle of the people who lived for several centuries before the Axumite era in Mai Adrasha testify that the place is the most ancient town in Northern Ethiopia.
According to the findings by the archeologists, Mai Adrasha town is believed to be pre-Axumite and Da’amat civilization that dates back to 1250 BC and it is believed to be the oldest town in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The Northern Ethiopia, as one of the most ancient civilizations’ of this planet, has many discovered and undiscovered historic places, legacies of ancient socio economic activities, monuments, many religious and cultural heritages and so on. Currently, further archeological research sites are ongoing to unearth places and ruin of towns during the ancient area.
The much known of the ancient civilization of Axum, which mainly covers from A.D 100 to 650, was ruled by powerful kings and became a major player in the commercial route between the Rome and ancient India. The Da’amat and Axumite Civilizations were based in the current cities of Yeha and Axum respectively; these towns are known for their old age and ancient towns of the Northern Ethiopia.
But now, archeologists are unearthing artifacts and ruins of ancient town that lived for many centuries before the Axumite and Da’amat eras. The newly unearthed town’s remains are indicating that the era of Mai Adrasha is centuries back far from these two civilizations.
Shire Town Culture and Tourism Office Head Gebrekidan Woldegiorgis told The Ethiopian Herald that a team of archeologists from America and Ethiopia are digging and researching on the site since 2015. According to him, the archeologists are near to conclude that the findings of the town’s ruins make the town the oldest town in Sub- Saharan Africa.
Mai Adrasha is found near to Shire town about four kilometers to the South, according to Gebrekidan. “Based on the findings of the archeological researches, the town is believed to be pre-Axumite and Da’amat civilizations’ “The ruins of the town indicated that the town was dated back to 1250 BC”, he added.
Gebrekidan noted that up to today Yeha, the center of Da’amat civilization, was considered to be the oldest town in Northern Ethiopia, Tigrai state. But now, Mai Adrasha is becoming the oldest town though the researchers are still continuing their digging to reach to the final conclusion.
Gedey Gebreegziabhier, Shire Archeological Site Coordinator, told BBC Tigryna last week that Mai Adrasha is the oldest unearthed town in Northern Ethiopia. He said that this ancient town is the predecessor of Axum and Yeha towns.
Gedey noted that up to now Yeha was known to be the first and oldest town in Northern Ethiopia. But now, Mai Adrasha is being unearthed as the oldest town and this indicates that still there are more undiscovered ancient historic places in Northern Ethiopia.
Ruin houses found underground, animal bone fossils, jewelries used at that time, artifacts, poetry and metal products are found on the ruins of the town. These findings are indicators of the civilization of the Northern Ethiopia even before the well-known Axumite civilization. Especially the house styles and the materials found with the remains of the city are well designed, the archeologists said.
According to Gedy, the site needs due attention to preserve the heritages of the town. He further noted that about 80 percent of the town is already damaged and only 20 percent is found underground by digging. For further researches about the activities of that era, the area needs protection as the remains indicated that many parts of the town are damaged in recent years as the area is digging for Gold mining and other agricultural purposes.
Cultural Heritages Research Directorate Director at Ethiopian Authority for Research and Conservation of Cultural Heritages, Demirew Dagne told The Ethiopian Herald that different archeological researches are held in Northern Ethiopia, Tigrai state focusing on discovering ancient historical places. Shire Archeological Site is one of these archeological research projects started four years ago. Demirew said that although the town was unearthed since last year the archeologists are continued their research for additional information.
Gidey noted that the place is ancient and historic which may take many necessary historic events and useful information about the past generation’s civilizations, activities and practices which may use to the next generation for researches.
Shire Town Culture and Tourism Office Head Gebrekidan on his part said that security forces are assigned to the site to protect the area from any influence of destruction and damage. Though, security forces are assigned to the site, yet the place open since it is not fenced.
Gebrekidan noted that the administration of the town is communicating with the local administration of the area and working together with the archeologists to protect the unearthed place and its heritages from. He said that there is a plan to fence it.
The Ethiopian Herald April 13, 2019BY DARGIE KAHSAY
