Abstract
A preliminary account is given of a previously unrecorded, abundant, and varied classical and late Aksumite use, in a sophisticated urban context, of carefully made stone scrapers and backed microliths with close affinities to their local Late Stone Age precursors. Examination of microscar patterns on these artifacts has provided an additional source of new information about Aksumite technical, economic, and social practices.
Un rapport préliminaire de l'usage, en Axoum pendant les périodes classique et dernier, d'un grand nombre des grattoirs et des microlithes à bord abattu, biens fabriqués et des formes divers. Ces outils lithiques, qui viennent d'un contexte urbain, ont les affinités nombreuses avec les outils de l'âge de la pierre récent dans cette localité. Une étude microscopique des traces d'emploi des outils a donné une nouvelle source d'information sur les pratiques technologique, economique et social d'Axoum.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
REFERENCES CITED
Morrow, J. E. (1997). End Scraper Morphology and use-life: An approach for studying Paleoindian lithic technology and mobility. Lithic Technology 22(1): 70–85.
Munro-Hay, S. C. H. (1989). Excavations at Aksum, Memoir No. 10, British Institute in Eastern Africa, London.
Munro-Hay, S. C. H. (1991). Aksum, an African Civilization of Late Antiquity, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh.
Pankhurst, R. (1961). An Introduction to the Economic History of Ethiopia, Lalibela House, London.
Phillipson, D. W. (1977). The excavation of Gobedra rock-shelter, Axum. Azania 12: 53–82.
Phillipson, D. W. (1998). Ancient Ethiopia, British Museum Press, London.
Phillipson, D. W. (2000). Final Report on the 1993–1997 Excavations at Aksum, British Institute in Eastern Africa and Society of Antiquaries, London (in press).
Phillipson, L. (2000). A functional consideration of Gudit scrapers from Aksum, Ethiopia. In Krzyzaniak, L., Kroeper, K., and Kobusiewicz, M. (eds.), Recent Research in the Stone Age of Northeastern Africa, Posnan Archaeological Museum, Posnan (in press).
Puglisi, S. M. (1941). Primi risultati delle indagini compiute della Missione archeologica di Aksum. Africa Italiana 8: 95–153.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Phillipson, L. Aksumite Lithic Industries. African Archaeological Review 17, 49–63 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006600324970
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1006600324970