Ethnoarchaeological Study of Noog (Guizotia abyssinica (L. f.) Cass., Compositae) in Ethiopia

ABSTRACTEthnoarchaeological research was conducted on traditional agriculture and use of noog (Guizotia abyssinica (L.) Cass.) as well as its wild progenitor, mech (Guizotia scabra (Vis.) Chiov) in present day Ethiopia. The study revealed technological and social aspects of this oil crop. Various traditional processing methods (field and household), division of labor, and economical and cultural values are outlined and described. The study shows the probability of charred remains occurring as a result of field processing noog and household processing of noog and mech. It is, however, difficult to differentiate, based on residue composition, the various field processing activities because of similarity of components and absence of weed seeds associated with the noog crop. The tools used in the processing do not leave evidence in the archaeological record indicative of the presence of noog and mech.