Why this one? And why here?
Jacke Phillips
Beyond the “macro” scale of interaction within and beyond Horn Africa also exists a “micro” undercurrent peoples, goods, ideas technologies impacting on regions their origin. Transported from one culture to another, they could be appropriated adapted varying degrees own, overwhelming virtually nil impact. Such assimilation – whether physical importation, direct copying (“imitation”), adoption, adaptation, incorporation, interpretation, imposition or even complete rejection an external “something” its normal cultural sphere is by-product long-distance movement goods and, degrees, ultimate result networking major players. Over past two millennia, Red Sea/Horn region has witnessed rise fall numerous cultures, all whom interacted with others beyond, by both land sea. Texts excavations have documented what was transferred, but some sense multiple meanings rationales behind acceptance these specific can gleaned considering them own borders. In present paper, I discuss ongoing thoughts somewhat speculative observations, ideas, inferences questions (some not yet possible answer) extend simple enumeration foreign consider implicit impact people who encountered them, using Aksumite Ethiopia/Eritrea as case study, traded at Adulis listed in Periplus Maris Erythraei starting point for my discussion.