Resumen
The archaeology of Islam in the Horn of Africa is relatively recent, and despite relative progress in establishing an archaeological tradition in the area during the 20th century, this field remains in a very primitive state. Although as early as the 19th century we see the first mentions to the existence of archaeological remains in the territory (Burton 1894, this is the date of publication but the journey took place in 1854; Revoil 1882; MacConkey and Count Wickenburg in Joussaume 1895 and Paulitschke 1898 respectively; Traversi 1893; Basset 1893; Malmusi 1895 and 1898; Robecchi-Brichetti 1896, which is the date of publication, but the trip took place in 1891), for most of the 20th century, archaeology in the Horn of Africa has been almost exclusively focused on prehistoric periods. The few examples that we have on archaeological research on historical periods are also very localised in specific areas of the region. The field narrows even further if we refer to the main topic that concerns us: the archaeology of Islam in the Horn of Africa. In this communication, we will review the various archaeological researchs that have been carried out in this regard in the Horn of Africa, covering the Somali area of eastern Ethiopia, north-western Somaliland and southern Djibouti. We will begin with the first travellers and explorers of the 19th century and move forward in time to the present day. Finally, it will be provide a brief summary of the contributions made by the Spanish archaeological team since it began its work in the area in 2015.
Palabras clave
Archaeology. Islam. Medieval Period. Sultanates. Horn of Africa.