Modern scholarship

Michael J. Harrower et al., *Beta Samati: discovery and excavation of an Aksumite town* (2019), p. 1540

MichaelJ.Harroweretal. Table2.RadiocarbondatesfromBetaSamati (alldatescalibratedwithOxCal4.3andIntCal13; BronkRamsey2009;Reimeretal.2013). Radiocarbon Calibration # Year Area Locus Lot Bag Labcode Material yearsBP (95.4%) 1 2012 A 20 3 3 D-AMS Triticumcf. 2477±27BP 771–485BC 20959 dicoccum 2 2012 A 20 4 5 D-AMS Poaceae 2425±39BP 752–403BC 22060 3 2015 B 45 2 16 D-AMS Triticumcf. 1674±30BP AD258–425 20961 dicoccum 4 2015 B 50 1 5 D-AMS Hordeum 1655±25BP AD332–506 20960 vulgare 5 2011 A 11 2 7 BETA Woodcharcoal 1500±30BP AD432–639 317411 6 2012 B 1 1 45 BETA Woodcharcoal 1480±30BP AD538–645 391883 Intermsofdating,theearliestcurrentevidenceforoccupationsinareaAisindicatedby Pre-Aksumite ceramics, which were found in direct association with two stratigraphically superimposed radiocarbon-dated seeds from the lowest excavated layers (Table 2: 1–2). In area B, the dating of two stratigraphically superimposed domesticated seeds from space 6 placesthe earliest use of the Beta Samati basilica in the fourth century AD (Table 2: 3–4). Two final radiocarbon assays on wood charcoal date the latest stages of habitation at Beta Samati to as late asthe mid seventh century AD (Table 2: 5–6). Excavation methods Our field strategy integrated the excavation of loci (stratigraphic layers) and lots (arbitrary subdivisions)andthescreeningofsoilthrougha6.5mmmesh.ATrimbleGPSbasestation and rovers were used to provide centimetre-accurate mapping. This system enabled the recording of vector data (points, lines and polygons) with a custom data dictionary so that attributedatawereeasilytransferredtoageographicinformationsystem(GIS).Photographs andGPSdatawereprocessedwithArcMap,ArcScene,AgisoftPhotoScanandRealityCapture software to create 2D and 3D maps. In 2015, we adopted acustomised version of the databaseCodifi,designedbytheCenterforDigitalArchaeology(nowCodifiInc.).Excavation records and images were collected in the field using iPads, and artefact analyses were recorded in the laboratory using laptops and iPads. As numerous walls extend into unexcavated areas, it was impossible to determine whether these formed rooms; hence, we use the term ‘space’ to designate localities defined by walls. Excavation results ExcavationsofBetaSamatihaverevealedaresidentialorworkshopprecinctinareaA,anda basilicainareaB.OurinvestigationsclarifythechronologyandspatiallayoutofBetaSamati, and haveyielded evidence of trade, administration and religious activities. ©AntiquityPublicationsLtd,2019 1540 https://doi.org/10.15184/aqy.2019.84 Published online by Cambridge University Press …