event · evt_mezber_early_chicken_presence
Early chicken presence at Mezber
Chicken remains at Mezber provide early evidence for a domesticate ultimately derived from South or Southeast Asia in the northern Horn.
What is the evidence?
observation
Chicken remains at Mezber provide early evidence for a domesticate ultimately derived from South or Southeast Asia in the northern Horn.Review and provenance
Specialist reviewer: not recorded. Review date: not recorded.
Dataset workflow: proposed. This is separate from specialist review.
Confidence describes the stated assessment; it does not certify expert approval. How review works.
Chronology
Dating intervals may describe uncertainty or phases; their width alone does not establish event duration.
921 BCE–801 BCE
Precision: associated radiocarbon range
Chronology model: early Mezber chicken horizon
moderateAssociated charcoal dates bracket some early chicken remains to approximately 921–801 BCE; a directly dated specimen is later.
- supports · provides archaeological observation
Early Evidence for Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Horn of Africa — Helina S. Woldekiros, A. Catherine D’Andrea (2017)Provides the chicken remains.
Locator: Faunal identification and Mezber contexts - supports · dates
Early Evidence for Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Horn of Africa — Helina S. Woldekiros, A. Catherine D’Andrea (2017)Provides the distinct dating evidence and cautions.
Locator: Associated charcoal range 921–801 BCE and later direct date
Interpretation and caveats
The presence is compatible with maritime or multi-stage transfer networks, but no single route, carrier population or direct Indian Ocean voyage is proven.
Event context
Classification
Event type: animal translocation and husbandry
Evidence layer: archaeological
Timeline role: cross regional context
People and places
Locations: Mezber, Northern Ethiopian highlands, Western Indian Ocean connections
Why it matters to the timeline
The biological transfer is outside purely local development and materially improves interpretation of possible Red Sea and Indian Ocean connectivity.
Research notes
- Provides the chicken remains. Role: provides archaeological observation. Locator: Faunal identification and Mezber contexts.
- Provides the distinct dating evidence and cautions. Role: dates. Locator: Associated charcoal range 921–801 BCE and later direct date.
Evidence and sources
- supports · provides archaeological observation
Early Evidence for Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Horn of Africa — Helina S. Woldekiros, A. Catherine D’Andrea (2017)Provides the chicken remains.
Locator: Faunal identification and Mezber contexts - supports · dates
Early Evidence for Domestic Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) in the Horn of Africa — Helina S. Woldekiros, A. Catherine D’Andrea (2017)Provides the distinct dating evidence and cautions.
Locator: Associated charcoal range 921–801 BCE and later direct date
Referenced records
- Northern Ethiopian highlands · entity
- Western Indian Ocean connections · entity
- Mezber · entity
- Date assertion for evt_mezber_early_chicken_presence · date assertion