Environmental meaning of Lower and Middle Holocene soils, Rift Valley, Ethiopia

The field study was carried out in the Great Lakes Region (Rift Valley) in Ethiopia.
The research programme was funded by the Italian Government, and followed previous research phases funded by the EU, DG Environment.
The research team was composed by professors and researchers from the University of Florence, University of Siena and Addis Ababa State University. The team Leader was Prof. Mario Sagri, College of Geological Science, University of Florence.
The aim of the project was to provide a deeper understanding of the climatic and environmental changes occurred in the Rift Valley during the Holocene era.
A multidisciplinary and holistic approach was adopted, conducting social and environmental surveys with a particular focus on soils profiles analysis, minerals analysis and carbons analysis.
My contribution mainly resided in the clays analysis through X-ray diffraction screening.
The findings revealed unexpected clay patterns, implying unpredicted climatic and environmental changes occurred in the area almost 6000 years ago (4000bc). The study raised a challenging debate within the soil science community and started to shed light on an unknown climatic and environmental development scenario.
English version available upon request.