The Eastern Tigrai Archaeological Project (ETAP) is an interdisciplinary group of archaeologists and geographers based in Canada, Ethiopia, Italy, France and the USA. Our ethnoarchaeological, traditional knowledge, and palaeoethnobotanical studies in Tigrai began in 1996, with archaeological survey, excavation, and paleoenvironmental research beginning in 2003. Our partners have included Adigrat University, Mekelle University and Addis Ababa University.

ETAP has focused on activities relating to archaeological research and community engagement in Eastern Tigray. However, with the start of the conflict in Tigrai in November of 2020, we have temporarily put aside our research agendas, and are working with the Tigrai Culture and Tourism Bureau (TCTB) to document the destruction of cultural heritage and develop reconstruction plans. ETAP researchers are also raising funds to bring trauma counselling to rural peoples in our study area who have been impacted by the conflict.