Farmers Help Put Ancient Ethiopian City on the Map

Ethiopian farmers in the village of Harlaa have found historical artifacts in their fields for years. Chinese coins, ancient jewelry and more finally led archaeologists to pay eastern Ethiopia a visit and look at the findings more deeply.

A team from the University of Exeter has worked in the area, and so far excavated to a depth of 2.5 meters. Their findings revealed an array of treasures dating to the sixth century, including pottery from China, Madagascar, the Maldives and Yemen, which shows the widespread trade routes running through the area. There are also remains of a 12^th-century mosque and 13^th-century silver and bronze coins traced to Egypt. Archaeologists also uncovered a cemetery and will analyze the remains of some 300 people buried there to offer clues about diet and lifestyle.

The collection of money, as well as valuable beads and other artifacts, led researchers to draw the conclusion that the city was a wealthy, multicultural hub for jewelry making. Items were likely exported widely across the region, and trade may have extended to the far coasts of the Indian Ocean.

Many of the buildings were constructed of huge stones, leading to the legend the city was inhabited by giants.

Archaeologists are planning to display some of the discoveries in Harlaa at an exhibition run by locals, while others will be transferred to Addis Ababa for display in the national museum.