Publications
Integrated evaluation of groundwater irrigation suitability using hydrochemical indices and irrigation water quality index (IWQI) in Aksum, Tigray, Ethiopia
Groundwater in Aksum, Ethiopia, is generally suitable for irrigation despite some local variations. A comprehensive assessment using hydrochemical indices and the Irrigation Water Quality Index (IWQI) revealed that 94.74% of samples showed no restrictions for irrigation purposes, with only 5.26% facing low restrictions due to higher levels of total dissolved solids (TDS), electrical conductivity (EC), and permeability index (PI). Spatial analysis indicated a northeast-southwest decline in water quality, though overall, groundwater remains viable for sustainable agricultural use. This study integrates multiple hydrochemical parameters—including SAR, Na%, RSC, and KI—to provide a nuanced understanding of irrigation suitability, offering critical insights for water resource management and policymaking.
Assessment of groundwater quality for drinking purposes using water quality index in volcanic rock areas of Axum, Northern Ethiopia
Groundwater quality in the volcanic rock areas of Axum, Northern Ethiopia, is significantly compromised for drinking purposes, with 24% classified as excellent and only 44% as good according to the Water Quality Index (WQI). The study reveals that groundwater chemistry is primarily influenced by calcite, dolomite, gypsum, fluorite, and halite dissolution, along with ion exchange processes. Several critical parameters, including electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, and trace metals, often exceed WHO permissible limits, indicating severe pollution threats. Hydrogeochemical evolution analysis identified dominant water facies such as Ca–Mg–Na–HCO3 and Mg–Ca–HCO3, with anthropogenic influences contributing to water chemistry degradation. The research underscores the urgent need for continuous monitoring and effective management strategies to safeguard drinking water quality in this region.
Cooperative behavior in pre-state societies: an agent based approach to the Axum civilization
Research challenges the traditional view that Aksum's early social structure was highly centralized, suggesting instead that cooperative behavior could emerge without coercive authority. Using agent-based modeling inspired by Aksumite data, the study demonstrates that while short-term cooperation is possible in pre-state societies, long-term stability likely requires centralized leadership. This finding sheds light on the evolutionary pathways to state formation and complex social organization, aligning with Charles Stanish's model of cooperative dynamics in early polities.
The Christian Topography and the Kingdom of Axum
A new analysis of the Greek inscription from Adulis, published in The Christian Topography, reveals that its author was likely a non-Axumite figure—possibly a south-west Arabian king. This conclusion challenges prior assumptions about the inscription's origins and suggests that Arabian conquests in northern Ethiopia may have triggered the rise of an Arabian dynasty, contributing to Axum's resurgence during its fourth-century power peak. The study leverages a recently re-edited Greek text to reassess geographical references linking Axum and adjacent regions, offering fresh insights into the kingdom's political evolution.
The Decline and Fall of Meroe
A rare inscription from Aksum, attributed to Ezana—the first Christian king of Ethiopia—sheds critical light on the decline and fall of the Meroitic Kingdom. This well-known but recently re-examined text by Enno Littmann provides invaluable geographical insights into post-Meroitic Sudan, offering a unique window into the political and cultural transformations of late antique Nubia. The study employs close scrutiny of historical inscriptions, combining epigraphic analysis with historical context to reconstruct the region's shifting dynamics during this pivotal period.
The Memory of a Fish: New Approach Towards Chronology and Primary Content of Ayla-Axum Amphorae
Ayla-Axum amphorae, long debated for their chronology and contents, now have a defined typo-chronological framework. This study establishes the first comprehensive timeline for these vessels, leveraging pottery evidence from Berenike and Khirbet eḏ-Ḏarīḥ, alongside zooarchaeological findings. It identifies the most probable original content of these amphorae and integrates their distribution patterns across the Red Sea region (Southern Transjordan to Southern Arabia). The research extends beyond traditional amphorae analysis to include other transport forms originating from Ayla/Aqaba kilns, providing a holistic view of trade and exchange in this historic area.
Creating Interconnected Outdoor Green Infrastructure in The Case of Aksum Historical Sites, Ethiopia
A fragmented and disconnected outdoor green infrastructure (GI) network in Aksum, Ethiopia, was identified through a combination of remote sensing and public perception surveys. Satellite imagery analysis using NDVI and NDBI revealed limited healthy vegetation and a predominance of built-up areas, with NDVI values indicating sparse grass and shrub cover while NDBI results showed low vegetative density. The study proposes an interconnected GI design to address these issues, aiming to enhance environmental sustainability, social cohesion, and economic benefits in Aksum's urban landscape.
Geotourism of Axum and Yeha Monuments, Northern Ethiopia
Aksum, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in northern Ethiopia, stands out as a critical hub for geotourism, blending geological wonders with rich historical and religious heritage. The study highlights that integrating geosites—such as the Axum Stele quarry, volcanic mountain chains, rock-hewn churches, and archaeological sites—alongside historical landmarks is pivotal for developing sustainable tourism in Tigray. This approach not only enhances visitor engagement but also preserves Ethiopia's unique environmental and cultural legacy. The research employed a combination of literature reviews, fieldwork, data collection, and the creation of geotourism maps to underscore the importance of geotourism knowledge in shaping the main tourism corridor of the region.
How hotels suffer from and deal with the economic effects of tourism seasonality: A case study of Aksum, Ethiopia
Tourism seasonality significantly impacts hotel revenue and occupancy rates, particularly for small hotels in developing destinations. A study of 14 hotels in Aksum, Ethiopia, found that off-months lead to substantial drops in revenue, yet staff-related costs remain manageable due to the size of these establishments. Hotels mitigate these effects by diversifying products to cater to both peak-season tourists and local markets, as well as increasing supply during high-demand periods. This research provides valuable insights into the economic challenges faced by small hotels in developing tourism destinations and offers practical strategies for addressing seasonality.
Negus Ezana: Revisiting the Christianisation of Aksum
A comprehensive re-examination of the Christianisation of Aksum during Negus Ezana’s reign reveals that his conversion and the subsequent ordination of Frumentius as Ethiopia’s first Abuna can be substantiated through archaeological, epigraphic, and numismatic evidence. This study challenges traditional narratives by integrating Aksumite Christianity into broader early Christian histories, paralleling the recognition of Vandal episodes in Christian scholarship. Utilizing a multi-method approach—primarily document analysis, cultural historiography, and religious archaeology—the research reconstructs the complex interplay between emerging Christian orthodoxy and Aksum’s Judaic heritage. The findings bridge gaps in biblical studies and archaeological records, offering a nuanced framework for understanding Ethiopia’s early Christian origins.
Religious statecraft: Narratives of persecution and diplomacy in the case of Byzantine, Aksum and Himyar
Byzantine diplomatic correspondence reveals that Aksum's religious policy on the Arabian Peninsula was intricately linked to the Constantinian religio-political matrix, positioning Byzantine Rome as a key arbiter of early Christianity. Analysis of letters from Constantine and Constantius decodes Aksum as an active participant in 4th-century CE Christian dynamics, characterized by narratives of orthodoxy and persecution. This study sheds light on the complex interplay between diplomacy and religious statecraft during this period, offering new insights into the political and theological landscape of late antiquity.
The Giant Stelae of Aksum in the Light of the 1999 Excavations
1999 excavations at Aksum, Ethiopia, revealed the original foundation of Stela 2—later removed to Rome in 1937—enabling its precise re-erection in 2008. The study also challenged long-held assumptions about the design, construction, and destruction of Aksum’s three giant stelae, offering new insights into their historical significance.
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