Pablo Gutiérrez de León studies the archaeology of nomadic pastoralism in the northeastern Horn of Africa, focusing on Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somaliland, and Somalia. His work examines pastoral societies from the beginnings of animal husbandry to the present day, integrating themes such as trade in the Indian Ocean, Islamization, European colonization, and especially funerary architecture. His doctoral research involved mapping and classifying nearly 160,000 funerary structures, using GIS and geostatistical analysis to investigate patterns of territoriality, nomadic movement, and the social significance of monumental cairns.
Pablo’s research addresses fundamental questions about why pastoral societies developed such distinctive funerary monumentalism and what these practices reveal about their social organization. Through archaeological survey, excavation, and the study of burials, grave goods, and construction techniques, he seeks to understand the complexity of herding societies, which could shift between egalitarian and hierarchical structures. His work combines scientific analysis with oral traditions and close collaboration with Afar and Somali communities, ensuring both local involvement and heritage protection.
In addition to field research, Pablo is committed to capacity-building, organizing training for African students and transferring data to cultural heritage offices. His research challenges stereotypes of nomadic peoples as “barbaric,” instead highlighting their historical complexity and resilience.