Earth construction from past to present: Initial results of the ethnoarchaeological program in the Gobaad Basin (Republic of Djibouti, Dikhil region)

Abstract

Architectural studies are of great interest in considering variations in social phenomena. This ethnoarchaeological program therefore focuses on the evolution of building techniques, both in relation to the recent prehistory of Western Asia, and the current context through field surveys carried out in Djibouti. The aim of this article is to present the results of our study conducted in the Gobaad basin (2022–2023) among the Afar and Issa entities by documenting the techniques (materials, layout techniques, morphology of the buildings), referencing practices and socio-cultural context, identifying the networks involved in the dissemination of practices and defining the learning processes in earth construction.

The results of this research show three scenarios. The architectural diversity among the Afar reflect a certain fluidity of social practices, which translates in the architecture into a diverse range of techniques. On the contrary, the standardized architectural traits observed among the the spread of moulded mud brick indicate social compartmentalization and a closed identity. Finally, the adoption by the two communities of an architectural type exogenous to the Gobaad basin allows to formulate a demic diffusion with the adoption of an “Ethiopian style”. These results contribute to our research on the Neolithic of Western Asia by providing socio-cultural, economic and historical interpretations.