The Ketema Ra’isi site near the Tekkeze river in Tigray (Ethiopia): A possible Aksumite site in the context of Ezana’s war against the Nobā

Abstract

The ruins of the Ketema Ra’isi site in the northern Tigray region of Ethiopia could prove to be the southernmost site on the westernmost border of the Arksumite empire, at least during the times of king Ezana and his immediate successors. The mound of ruins contains a residential complex enclosed inside a stone wall featuring typical Aksumite architectural building techniques. Three Aksumite coins collected from the site yield a terminus ante quem date for the settlement in the Middle Aksumite period (mid-4th century AD). Therefore, the potential of the site for future archaeological exploration by the PolART expedition is substantial.