3. Les Harla : archéologie et mémoire des géants d’Éthiopie

Laser ablation strontium isotope analysis of human remains from Harlaa and Sofi, eastern Ethiopia, and the implications for Islamisation and mobility

“…Prior to the start of the current investigation of the site, previous archaeological research had consisted of limited survey and surface collections (e.g. Patassini 2006;Chekroun et al 2011).…”

Material cosmopolitanism: the entrepot of Harlaa as an Islamic gateway to eastern Ethiopia

“…Additional confirmation is provided by Arabic inscriptions, with one exhibiting a date of 657 AH (AD 1259–1260) (Bauden 2011: 296), and another featuring the partial date of 44x AH (Schneider 1969: 340), calculated as AD 1048–1057 (Chekroun et al . 2011: 79). A further nine undated Arabic inscriptions have been recorded during recent fieldwork.…”

“…These sites are ascribed by the current inhabitants—the Oromo—to legendary ancient giants (Chekroun et al . 2011: 79) who previously occupied the region (Joussaume & Joussaume 1972: 22) in the mid sixteenth century (all dates herein are AD, unless otherwise specified). Only limited survey, and no excavation, had been undertaken at Harlaa prior to 2015 (Chekroun et al .…”

“…Only limited survey, and no excavation, had been undertaken at Harlaa prior to 2015 (Chekroun et al . 2011; Insoll et al . 2016).…”

To whom do the dead belong?

“…The local community actively encouraged the excavation to discover if the people buried in it were the giants of Harla mythology (cf. Chekroun et al 2011). Initial attention was focused on an enclosure in the southwestern part of the stone structure, though excavated to a depth of approximately 80cm, it contained no indication of a burial and excavation was halted.…”