A thousand-year-old church’s walls in the Tigray State of Ethiopia have just been excavated by experts from the Polish
Archaeological Science Center, University of Warsaw and their local counterparts.
The walls of a 1,000-year-old church in Ethiopia have just been discovered by
archaeologists from the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology at the University of Warsaw.
After being forced to abandon their
excavation in March after just eight days because of coronavirus, the team led by the Centre’s Dr. Michela Gaudiello decided to
use a drone to help with their research.
Today, only large, several-meter stone pillars on the top of the hill towering over the surrounding area remain on the surface after the medieval church in Debre Gergis (‘Georgios Monastery’).
Dr. Gaudiello said: “The locals know that there was once a Christian temple in this place, but due to the poor condition it is not known exactly in which period it was built and what its layout was.
“We are the first archaeological research team in the world to regularly use a drone for the needs of archaeological documentation in Ethiopia.”
In two archaeological excavations, researchers noticed damaged walls probably constituting the outer part of a medieval church. One of them still contained wooden piles. In addition, a fragment of the apse was discovered, in the form of stone floor blocks with a semicircular layout.
The researchers also noticed a block with engraved inscription in Ethiopic. A preliminary analysis of its age based on the fragments of ceramic vessels discovered next to the block suggests that it dates back to 700-1100 AD. Works on translation are underway.
Debre Gergis was an important point on trade routes leading from Africa inland to Axum, the capital of a Christian state that existed in the first centuries AD. As part of their latest project, researchers also did reconnaissance around Debre Gergis, because the region is poorly recognized in terms of archaeology and little is known about its ancient history.
Dr. Gaudiello who is from Italy has extensive experience in conducting excavations in Ethiopia. She was appointed project leader in an international competition announced
by the Polish Centre of Mediterranean Archaeology UW.
Following the outbreak of the Coronavirus epidemic, the study team discontinued its work in March. However, the team announced that it had discovered a medieval fossil with several long-standing columns called the Deergaggs Temple (Giorgis Monastery) in a small-scale plane.
“The locals know there is a temple in the ancient church, but it is not known when it was built and what it looked like,” said
Dr. Mitchell Mitchell, leader of the Italian Archaeological team in Ethiopia.
“We are the first archaeological team in the world to frequently use a non-human aircraft in a document of archaeology in Ethiopia,” he added.
The excavation team, in two excavations, noted that a temple built during medieval history had been viewed by some as a wall that had been demolished.
One of them said they have also found partial circular remains that appear to be part of the structure, which had a circular shape and a flat surface.
In addition, the researchers also found an independent fortress in which the alphabet was written.
Based on the age of the earthenware materials found near the wall, it is estimated that the period was about 700-1100 AD.
He also mentioned that a translation was being done.
The site of the discovery is said to have been the key site for African trade routes that crossed the Axum, the capital of the ancient Christian empire in the early centuries.
Researcher Debre Griggs said they have already explored the area of archaeology, as well as ancient history, according to the Science in Poland.
The Ethiopian Herald May 3/2020
BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
