Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38)
Chalcolithic (regional)·Chalcolithic·🇪🇹 Lalibela, Ethiopia
About
About Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38)
Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) at Lalibela, Ethiopia is a Chalcolithic (regional) underground city of the Chalcolithic tradition, built c. 800 BCE for reservoir and associated settlement. Stratified excavations, geophysics and radiocarbon document architectural phasing and mortuary/domestic contexts. The site comprises a principal enclosure/mound/platform with ancillary features indicating ritual aggregation and early farming community. Peer-reviewed plans and heritage protection in place.
Why it mattersCentral Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) at Lalibela, Ethiopia is a Chalcolithic (regional) underground city of the Chalcolithic tradition, built c
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Chronology and phasing
- 02Landscape function
Theories
- 01Ceremonial centre
- 02Territorial marker
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c. 800 BCE
- Period
- Chalcolithic (regional)
- Culture
- Chalcolithic
- Purpose
- Reservoir and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Excavated
c. 800 BCE
Initial construction / first occupation at Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38)
On the ground
Structures & features
11.5225° N · 38.7188° E · 153 m · 3 mapped features
- Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) Main Underground-City Featureunderground cityPrimary underground-city feature at Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) – central reservoir and associated settlement element with stratified deposits11.5226° N · 38.7189° E
- Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) Secondary EnclosureenclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) defining settlement or ritual space11.5224° N · 38.7189° E
- Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) Outlier Rock Art Panelrock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Central Lalibela Reservoir Central — Lalibela (59-38) ceremonial landscape11.5226° N · 38.7187° E