In Northern Ethiopia, archaeologists have identified 2,800-year-old copper-threaded ritual trays used during the harvest festivals of the D’mt Kingdom. The trays were found in a monumental communal hall, containing residues of ancient teff grains and fermented honey beverages.
This discovery confirms that organized state-sponsored festivals were a hallmark of early Ethiopian civilizations long before the rise of Aksum. The intricate copper embroidery found on the associated textile fragments reflects a highly sophisticated decorative tradition dedicated exclusively to agricultural ceremony and communal feasting.