Aksum Archaeological Site

Aksum Archaeological Site

Located about 19 kilometers east of Adwa at an elevation of 2,135 meters, Aksum was built around the 1st millennium BC and served as the capital of the Kingdom of Aksum. It boasts numerous ancient structures and relics, including temples, carvings, inscriptions, and granite obelisks. The Kingdom of Aksum maintained political power at the heart of ancient Ethiopia until the 13th century. The vast ruins of this ancient capital are composed of towering obelisks and massive stone pillars. Aksum is known as the “cornerstone” of Ethiopia, the “mother of cities,” and the “cradle of ancient civilization.” The site is especially notable for its many temples, carvings, and inscriptions, but the most striking features are the towering granite obelisks and immense stone columns.

These stelae generally stand 3 to 4 meters tall, with the tallest reaching 33 meters. They were all directly carved from granite rock. The obelisks and pillars were likely constructed around the year 306 AD, during the reign of King Ezana (also spelled Aḥbäras or Aḥbä Rā), and were hewn from single blocks of stone—making them a unique sight in the world today. The giant obelisks are iconic monuments of Aksumite civilization. Historical records indicate that the largest stele stood approximately 33 meters high, resembling a 13-story building, but it has since collapsed.

Among the surviving stelae is one that stands 1.35 meters tall, with a base measuring 2.6 meters in length and 1.2 meters in width. Its carving is particularly distinctive, featuring a design that resembles a 10-story building with beams, floors, and doors and windows, looking like a “skyscraper” pointing toward the sky. These massive stone towers and pillars were most likely erected to commemorate some of Aksum’s early kings.