Desta HAILEYESUS GEBREGZABHER
Doctorante IREMAM/AMU
ED 355 - Espaces, Cultures, Sociétés
Contact : desta.haileyesus2003[at]gmail.com
Recherche
Discipline : Archéologie
Spécialité : Céramique
Terrain : Éthiopie
Membre du pôle Histoire des mondes arabes et musulmans
Thèse en cours
“Diachronic and Functional Study of Ceramics from the Site of Čärqos Kwiḥa (Tigray, Ethiopia): A Contribution to the Characterization of Late Antiquity and the Ethiopian Middle Ages through Material Culture (5th–16th centuries)”. Sous la direction de Julien Loiseau et de Julien Vieugue.
This study will offer the first comprehensive diachronic and functional study of the ceramic assemblages from Čärqos Kwiḥa, a major site on the southern margins of the Aksumite Kingdom and a key node along long-distance caravan routes in Tigray, Ethiopia. Occupied continuously from Late Antiquity to the 16th century, Kwiḥa provides an unparalleled archaeological sequence for a period of Ethiopian history especially the Middle Ages poorly documented in written sources. Recent excavations (2018–2019) uncovered a range of contexts, including an Aksumite monumental sector later reused for artisanal and domestic activities, a medieval domestic quarter, and a Muslim cemetery dated to the 10th–13th centuries.
The site has yielded thousands of well-preserved ceramic fragments, now split between Addis Ababa and Mekelle, of which only a fraction has been catalogued. Radiocarbon dating links the “post-Aksumite” pottery to four main phases (7th–16th c.), making this assemblage unique in Tigray for its scale, continuity, and secure stratigraphy.
The study aims to establish a refined ceramic typology and chronology for the Ethiopian Middle Ages through systematic analysis of shapes, decorations, manufacturing techniques, and technological attributes. Functional approaches—including residue and use-wear analysis will provide new insights into vessel use, food practices, and everyday life, contributing the first long-term perspective on medieval material culture in the region.
By integrating Kwiḥa into ongoing research at sites such as Wəqro and Maryam Nazret, this study will significantly advance archaeological understanding of medieval northern Ethiopia. The collection’s exceptional preservation also offers strong potential for museum curation and public dissemination.
Parcours académique
2024: Training in Archaeological Pottery excavations and restauration (French Centre of Ethiopian Studies, National Museum of Ethiopia).
2023: Training in Archaeological Pottery analysis (French Centre of Ethiopian Studies).
2014-2016: MA in Archaeology and Heritage management (Mekelle University) Dissertation: A typological classification and analysis of potsherds from Maryam Nazret, Tigray,North Ethiopia.
Expérience professionnelle
2024-present: Head of the Archaeology and Heritage Management dept. (Mekelle University).
2016-present: Lecturer (Mekelle university, Archaeology and Heritage Management dpt.).
2023: Field Archaeologist and Assistant Ceramologist (ERC HornEast).
2019: Field Archaeologist (ERC HornEast).
2018-2020: Field Archaeologist and Assistant Ceramologist (Gud Bahri Archaeological Project, Mekelle University).
2018: Field Archaeologist (Mai Adrasha Shire Archaeological Project).
2015-2016: Field Archaeologist (Mifsas Bahri Excavation Project).
2011-2016: Teacher, Research and community Service; Head of the Department of Heritage Management and conservation from 2012 to 2014 (Tigray Arts College).
Études et fouilles archéologiques
2023: Baraq (Somali, Ethiopia)
Survey and excavation on the Islamic sites of Gulan. ERC Project HornEast, CNRS (IREMAM/UMR 7310). Direction: S. Dorso, Tadele Solomon.
2019-2020: Wuqro (Tigray, Ethiopia)
Excavation of the ancient and medieval site of Gud Bahri Mekelle University. Direction: Hiluf Berhe.
2019: Kwiha (Tigray, Ethiopia)
Excavation of the ancient and medieval tell of Cärqos Kwiha (2nd-16th c.) ERC Project HornEast, CNRS (IREMAM/UMR 7310). Direction: S. Dorso.
2018: Kwiha (Tigray, Ethiopia)
Excavation of the Islamic cemetery of Bilet (11th-13th c.) ERC Project HornEast, CNRS (IREMAM/UMR 7310). Direction: S. Dorso.
2018: Mai Adrasha (Tigray, Ethiopia)
Excavation of the pre-Aksumite settlement of Mai Adrasha University of California. Direction: W Wendrich.
2015-2016: Hashenghe (Tigray, Ethiopia)
Excavation of the Aksumite and Medieval settlement of Mifsas Bahri Heidelberg University. Direction: P. A. Yule.
Langues
Tigrigna : langue maternelle
Amharic : courant
Anglais : excellent
Français : débutant