Adulis Bay – Axumite Port
Adulis · Zula · Adulis Bay
Axumite (1st c BCE – 7th c CE; Adulis port 1st c CE Periplus)·Axumite / South Arabian / Greco-Roman trade·🇪🇷 Northern Red Sea Region, Zula Bay, 60 km south of Massawa, Haddas delta, Eritrea
About
About Adulis Bay – Axumite Port
Axumite Mediterranean port in Zula Bay where Paribeni and Sundström found Axumite church (5th c), Roman wine amphorae and glass, linking Axum to Roman trade; Periplus harbour description matches lagoon.
Why it mattersKey Axumite (1st c BCE – 7th c CE; Adulis port 1st c CE Periplus) site illustrating Axumite / South Arabian / Greco-Roman trade urbanism and axum's red sea port for ivory, tortoiseshell and roman wine, described in peripl.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Adulis location — Zula vs southern bay alternative
Theories
- 01Axumite Byzantine wine-for-ivory trade model
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Port founded 1st c BCE; monumental building 5th c CE
- Period
- Axumite (1st c BCE – 7th c CE; Adulis port 1st c CE Periplus)
- Culture
- Axumite / South Arabian / Greco-Roman trade
- Builders
- Axumite
- Purpose
- Axum's Red Sea port for ivory, tortoiseshell and Roman wine, described in Periplus Maris Erythraei
- Excavation
- Excavated
Port founded 1st c BCE; monumental building 5th c CE
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
15.2600° N · 39.6600° E · 5 m · 3 mapped features
Adulis Bay — Principal Gate
gateMain gate and rampart section at Adulis Bay – Axumite Port
15.2606° N · 39.6606° EAdulis Bay — Central Forum/Basilica
forumForum–basilica complex at Adulis Bay – Axumite Port
15.2600° N · 39.6600° EAdulis Bay — Baths/Cisterns
bathsBaths and cistern cluster at Adulis Bay – Axumite Port
15.2594° N · 39.6594° E