The Secret Whispers of a Forgotten Port

Adulis, an ancient city along the Red Sea in the Gulf of Zula, is an archaeological site situated within the modern Eritrean city of Zula. Considered part of the D’mt and the Kingdom of Aksum, it is believed to be linked to the region known to the ancient Egyptians as the Land of Punt. The name Adulis is shrouded in mystery, with numerous theories proposed as to its origin. Archeological excavations conducted at Adulis unearthed the existence of a late prehistoric settlement beneath the town, dating from the mid-2nd to early 1st millennium BCE.

The city was the emporium described by Pliny the Elder as the 'principal mart for the Troglodytae and the people of Aethiopia'. It appears that the city was located some distance from its actual port - approximately 20 stades away - which sources refer to as 'the harbour of the ʿAdulītā'. Further evidence of this distinction can be seen in the fact that the ʿAdulītā are sometimes mentioned separately from the Aksumites. Epiphanius, when listing the nine kingdoms of the 'Indians', distinguishes between the Aksumites and the 'ʿAdulītā'. Excavations have also revealed traces of fire at Adulis.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons