Excursion Adadi Mariam & Tia Stela
Description
AET-AA- 004 : Adadi Mariam & Tia Stela [1 day]
Melka Kunture pre-historic site is situated on the southern face of the Awash River Gorge opposite Melka Awash. It’s regarded to be one of the most important Stone Age sites in Ethiopia. This site is best known for the numerous Stone-Age artifacts that have been unearthed along the river including a variety of clevers, hand-axes, and other tools made from basalt and other hard rocks. The site has also proved to be an important source of fossils of extinct mammals.
After visiting the Melka Kunture Archeological site, drive to Adadi Mariam rock-hewn church. This rock hewn-church was built in the 12 century AD as those of the rock-hewn churches of Lalibela. In fact local tradition ascribes it to King Lalibela who is said to have had it built on his visit to Mount Zuqwala in 1106.
Driving further south you will find Tiya, where you will see the northernmost example of a peculiar type of engraved, standing stelae which stretch across parts of southern Ethiopia. These stelae are believed to have been erected between the 12th and 14th centuries and are almost certainly grave markers. Recent excavations at Tiya have revealed the remains of young people of both sexes, aged between 18 - 30 and buried in fetal positions. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stelea field at Tiya today comprises more than 45 stones of up to 2m.