NORTH ETHIOPIA

Tombs of King Kaleb and King Gebre Meskel

After driving through the tef fields (Cereal grass), one would reach (after about 2Kms) on a small hill. On the top lie two subterranean tombs built side by side. These tombs are attributed to the 6th century King Kaleb and his son King Gebre Meslkel. King Kaleb is one of Aksum’s most important rulers who succeeded in bringing south Arabia under Aksumite dominion.

Both tombs have similarity in design. They can be taken as good examples of the portrayal of the building techniques and sophistication of Aksumite Architecture. These polished blocks and building styles are compared ( by a 19th century British traveler Theodore Bent ) to one of the best sites in Greece. .

One is led in to the interior of the tomb by a steep stairway that is constructed using massive and refined blocks of stones that fit perfectly with each other. .

The tomb of King Gebre Meskel, which consists of one chamber and five rooms, is a little more sophisticated and better preserved. A remarkably carved portal leads in to one room which contains coffins. .

There are also relief carvings of crosses inside the tomb, which have similarity with Christian crosses that one finds on Aksumite coins. These may give clues regarding the construction dates of the tombs.

On the surface the two tombs are combined by a kind of raised “courtyard”. According to some scholars a palace or two parallel churches of a basilica plan stand there. .

The local sources believe that around 5000 elephants have participated in the process of construction.

Standing on top of that hill one can see the mountains of Adwa to the east, Eritrea to the North, and Aksum city to the south.