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► We analyse soil erosion under the changes of soil use and conservation practices. ► We studied long term soil erosion in an archaeological context and recent accelerated erosion. ► We compared measured data with the evaluated soil erosion. ► We utilised “plough mark” methodology and exposed rock varnishes to evaluate the rates of soil erosion. ► Results show average values of 2.8
t
ha
−1
y
−1 for long terms and 65.8
t
ha
−1
y
−1 for recent erosion.
The aim of the research presented here was to analyse soil erosion in response to changes in agricultural and soil conservation practices throughout history. The Aksum area (Tigray, northern Ethiopia) presents favourable conditions for the development of a long-term approach for assessing soil conservation techniques that have been applied for centuries (i.e., since the Aksumite kingdom, 400 BC to 800 AD). These techniques have been maintained until the present day, and parts of the terraced systems of the area are still in use. During the 1970s, social and political events led to a remarkable change in land use patterns, and large arable areas were converted into grazing land, resulting in a significant increase in soil loss. The rates of soil erosion were evaluated based on analyses of the deep scratches (plough marks) left on stones in the soil by the
maresha, the ard plough pulled by oxen used in agricultural practices of the area, and the patinas, varnishes and weathering rinds exposed by soil loss after the abandonment of the fields. The study results show average rates of soil erosion of 2.8
t
ha
−1
y
−1 and 65.8
t
ha
−1
y
−1 for the soil conservation conditions under traditional agriculture (long-term observations) and accelerated erosion after abandonment (short-term observations), respectively. A comparison using recently calibrated erosion evaluation techniques conducted to support the field measurements revealed a close correlation between the calculated and recorded data.