Helina Woldekiros

Caravan Archaeologies Workshop/Taller de Caravanas Arqueológicas

The Afar Salt Caravan Trail, North Ethiopia

In Africa and elsewhere, scholars have demonstrated that early social, political, and economic structures were shaped by salt production, distribution, and long-distance trade in areas where salt is a critical resource. Despite salt’s significant role in connecting distant places and communities in pre-history and history, archaeological studies of salt trade tend to focus on artifact finds and mention of salt in historical texts and inscriptions. Research also emphasizes famous places where salt was transported. Data on the diverse and complex routes and landscapes through which this important commodity traveled through or how it was transported are lacking. This paper examines evidence for ancient Aksumite (400 BCE-900 CE) salt trade and exchange from the low deserts to the North Ethiopian and Eritrean highlands in light of recent ethnoarchaeological fieldwork conducted in the Danakil desert and Aksumite towns.  These data revealed that the Afar Salt Trail is much more than a line on the landscape. The trail passes through diverse regional ecozones, highland trader towns, and foothill towns. Several highland and one major lowland route were identified. The study also shows that caravaners follow the least costly path on the highland portion of the route following favorable slopes for pack travel and water sources. Participants on the Afar salt trail differ in religion and identity. Activity on the trail is structured by gendered division of labor, seasonality, and economic mobility.