Axum Stelae Field

In addition to being a possible location of the Ark of the Covenant, the city of Axum in Ethiopia is famed for its giant granite stelae (sometimes called obelisks).

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History of Axum Stelae Field

Dating from around 300-500 AD, most the Axum stelae seem to predate the arrival of Christianity to Ethiopia. Their purpose is almost certainly religious, but the details are not known for certain.

The stelae were most likely funeral monuments for Axum's ancient rulers, who may have been buried in tombs beneath them. Some have altars at the base with grooves cut into them to carry away blood from sacrifices.

Christianity was adopted by the royal family in Axum in the 4th century AD, and by the population at large in the 5th century, which means these stelae date from a fascinating period of religious change. Monolithic monuments continued to be erected after the arrival of Christianity, and several with Christian inscriptions can be found.

The second largest of the stelae was looted by Mussolini's troops in 1937 during his occupation of Ethiopia, and stood for decades in the Piazza di Porta Capenamin in Rome, near the Arch of Constantine.

The 160-ton monument was finally returned from Italy to Axum in April 2005. It was shipped in an extra-large plane in three separate pieces, at the cost of €6 million (almost $8 million). The transportation company who carried out the task said it was the largest and heaviest structure ever transported by air.

What to See at Axum Stelae Field

The Northern Stelae Field contains more than 120 stelae made of smooth, grey stone. The stelae are each made of a single piece of granite and stand as high as 82 feet. All the Axum stelae face south, and so watch the sun on its daily journey across the sky.

The Axum stelae are made to look like buildings and are intricately carved with windows, rows of log-ends dividing each story, and a false door at the base. These motifs on the face are carried through on the short sides of the obelisks. The "windows" also form cross shapes; perhaps a coincidence, perhaps not.

The back of each obelisk, however, is completely plain except for one circle carved near the apex. At its center is of four spheres grouped together, with a fifth sphere touching the group's outer edge.

The apex of each stele is carved into a semi-circular shape, which symbolizes the heavens. Scholars believe a metal plate with an image of the sun engraved inside a crescent moon was affixed to the front of these top semi-circles.

It may be that the stelae related to worship of the sun god or that ancient worshippers hoped to draw energy down from the sky through these giant monuments. The image is similar to the Egyptian hieroglyph for sunrise, a semi-circle placed over the bottom corners of a triangle.

Another tradition, popular with the locals, is that the stelae are phallic symbols and relate to fertility.

The largest obelisk (108 feet long) has fallen and lies shattered across the ground, allowing a close-up inspection of the carvings. If it were still standing, it would be the tallest obelisk in the world. It may have fallen as soon as it was erected, representing the visible results of a trial-and-error in creating giant upright stele. According to legend, it covers the grave of the Queen of Sheba.

The tallest upright obelisk is the one recently returned from Rome (see above), which stands 82 feet in height.

The now-second tallest is the Stele of King Ezana, which stands at the entrance to the field. Ezana was the first king to convert to Christianity (c.300 AD), and he declared his entire country for Christianity after his conversion. A carving on his stele may refer to this event.

Another fallen Axum stele, almost 9m long, bears an especially interesting relief carving. Near its apex is a capital formed of two leaves supporting a square within a square surmounted by a triangle. This could be the earliest-ever image of the Ark of the Covenant in Ethiopian art.

Quick Facts on Axum Stelae Field

Site Information
Names:Aksum Stelae Field · Axum Stelae Field
Country:Ethiopia
Categories:ruins; World Heritage Sites
Dates:300-500 CE
Status: ruins
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:14.131967° N, 38.719259° E
Address:Axum, Ethiopia
Lodging:View hotels near Axum Stelae Field
Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

  1. Ethiopian Travel - Axum the first African capitol
  2. Selamta.net - Axum
  3. Catholic Encyclopedia - Axum
  4. The Monumental Stelae of Axum - Metropolitan Museum of Art
  5. About.com Archaeology - Kingdom of Aksum
  6. Dan Cruickshank, Around the World in 80 Treasures, pp. 169-71.

More Information

  • UNESCO World Heritage- Aksum
  • Photography: A Worldview - Axum: The Lost Kingdom
  • BBC News - "Final obelisk section in Ethiopia" (April 25, 2005)
  • CBC Canada - "Ancient obelisk begins return to Ethiopia" (April 20, 2005)
  • MSNBC News - "Looted obelisk heading home to Ethiopia" (April 19, 2005)
  • UNESCO - "Aksum obelisk returns to Ethiopia: UNESCO to handle its reintegration" (March 17, 2005)
  • Ethiopian Treasures - Queen of Sheba, Aksumite Kingdom
  • Stuart Munro-Hay. Aksum: An African Civilization of Late Antiquity. Edinburgh: University Press. 1991.
  • Yuri M. Kobishchanov. Axum (Joseph W. Michels, editor; Lorraine T. Kapitanoff, translator). University Park, Pennsylvania: University of Pennsylvania, 1979.
  • Sergew Hable Sellassie. Ancient and Medieval Ethiopian History to 1270 (Addis Ababa: United Printers, 1972).
  • African Zion, the Sacred Art of Ethiopia, (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1993).
  • Photos of Axum Stelae Field - here on Sacred Destinations
The apex of the stele of King Ezana. © Stefan Gara
The fascinating Axum stelae field, with a huge fallen stele in the foreground. © Stefan Gara
© Martin Gray
The Stele of King Ezana. © Martha de Jong-Lantink
Detail of the Stele of King Ezana, with false doors and windows. © Gordon
The largest stelae of Axum, which just returned from Rome after being looted by Mussolini in 1937. © Charles Roffey

Map of Axum Stelae Field

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