Geoglyphs of Sanctuary-Oued
Middle Bronze Age (2100–1550 BCE)·Middle Bronze Age·🇪🇹 Northern Tigray, Ethiopia
About
About Geoglyphs of Sanctuary-Oued
Geoglyphs of Sanctuary-Oued in Northern Tigray, Ethiopia is a Middle Bronze Age (2100–1550 BCE) geoglyph attributed to Middle Bronze Age culture. Systematically investigated through aerial LiDAR and coring, it presents a fortified nucleus with workshop zone. Construction employs dry-stone masonry and demonstrates long-distance exchange. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans verify location and chronology.
Why it mattersKey Middle Bronze Age geoglyph with stratified sequence and regional significance.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Long-distance exchange networks
- 02Construction labor organization and logistics
Theories
- 01Ritual landscape and ancestral veneration
- 02Ceremonial centre and pilgrimage focus
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. 1916 BCE
- Period
- Middle Bronze Age (2100–1550 BCE)
- Culture
- Middle Bronze Age
- Purpose
- Agricultural and hydraulic
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 1916 BCE
Initial construction and primary occupation
c. 1399 BCE
Architectural refurbishment
c. 236 CE
Reoccupation and adaptation
1911
Rediscovery and systematic excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
14.5164° N · 37.5018° E · 683 m · 3 mapped features
Gateway
stelaBurial zone — shaft tombs
14.5168° N · 37.5045° ETemple Platform
courtyardAncillary settlement associated with main monument
14.5172° N · 37.5045° EOutlier Panel
ditchOutlier feature with alignments
14.5137° N · 37.5047° E