Situated at 60km south-west of Addis Ababa Melka-Kunture is a famous archaeological site where fossils of prehistory age as well as stone tools dating 1.5 million years have been discovered. Few km drives this point can be reached Adadi Mariam Cave Church believed to date back to the 13th century and gives a good indication of the Lalibela rock-hewnchurches of the 12th century.Granted World Heritage Site recognition by UNESCO in 1972, the site lay undisturbed for centuries, until a number of the stone Stelae were uncovered at the turn of the last century.
From there, fresh discoveries were made over the years, and now over 40 monuments have been unearthed, with countless more still hidden from view.
The largest and most representative collection of monoliths of this kind in Africa, surprisingly little is known about these monuments other than their size and description. Small stone carvings made across the circumference of the tooth shaped stones detail the trials and tribulations of those buried underneath.
Many are adorned with etchings showing barbaric battles, periods of famine and great hardship, alluding to the fate of those laid to rest beneath.
