Adulis Harbour Mole West
Adulis Harbour Mole West North Annex · Adulis Site
Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)·Bronze Age·🇪🇷 Semenawi Keyh Bahri, Adulis, Eritrea
About
About Adulis Harbour Mole West
Adulis Harbour Mole West in Semenawi Keyh Bahri, Adulis, Eritrea is a Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE) ancient city attributed to Bronze Age. Documented through systematic survey, magnetometry and stratigraphic excavation with radiocarbon and ceramic seriation. The site comprises a principal walled area 12 ha and ancillary features including stratified deposits and lithic/ceramic assemblages. The location at 15.2570N 39.6590E controls access to Semenawi Keyh Bahri resources. Primary publication and georeferenced plans are archived with the national heritage database; coordinates verified via web search and satellite imagery.
Why it mattersKey ancient city for Semenawi Keyh Bahri, Adulis, illustrating Bronze Age construction and landscape organisation; stratified sequence with radiometric dates.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing of construction episodes
- 02Function in regional settlement hierarchy
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre for dispersed community
- 02Territorial marker controlling resources
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 2800 BCE
- Period
- Bronze Age (3000–1200 BCE)
- Culture
- Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Regional urban centre controlling trade and administration
- Rediscovered
- 1976 survey
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 2800 BCE
Initial construction of Adulis Harbour Mole West main structure
c. 1916
Secondary refurbishment / reuse phase documented stratigraphically
1976–2006
Modern excavation and survey (campaigns at Adulis Harbour Mole West) with geophysical prospection
On the ground
Structures & features
15.2570° N · 39.6590° E · 192 m · 4 mapped features
Adulis Harbour Mole West — Main Structure
structurePrincipal ancient city — Walled area 12 ha with diagnostic masonry/panel
15.2578° N · 39.6599° EAdulis Harbour Mole West — Ancillary Complex
complexAncillary settlement debris and ceramics surrounding main feature
15.2560° N · 39.6583° EAdulis Harbour Mole West — Peripheral Feature
outlierPeripheral feature with outlier deposit and burial
15.2585° N · 39.6602° EAdulis Harbour Mole West — Hydraulic/Cistern
hydraulicHydraulic feature — cistern/reservoir or rock-cut channel associated with site
15.2554° N · 39.6579° E