Agordat

Agordat lies near the Barka River in the western Eritrean lowlands, where seasonal water and caravan tracks cross dry plains between the Red Sea escarpment and Sudan. The river does not run strongly throughout the year, but its channel and wells made movement possible through an otherwise difficult landscape. Routes eastward climbed toward the highlands, while western tracks led toward Kassala and the Nile.

During the period of Funj influence in Sudan, the Beni-Amer became important intermediaries between the lowlands and highlands. Their ruling nabtab families established a centre around Agordat, and the chief known as the diglal received emblems of authority from the Funj ruler. His permanent camp stood near the later town. Pastoral groups, merchants and highland powers met through this system of tribute, protection and caravan passage.

Egyptian expansion reached the region in the early nineteenth century, bringing garrisons and new demands for taxation. Agordat's position on roads between the Barka valley and the highlands made it valuable to any power seeking to control movement. The settlement remained a meeting place for Beni-Amer herders, traders and officials rather than a fortified city.

The later city of Barentu lies here.