Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel
ላሊበላ · Giyorgis Drain
Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE)·Rock-cut tradition·🇪🇹 Amhara, Lalibela, Ethiopia
About
About Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel
Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel in Amhara, Lalibela, Ethiopia is a Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE) rock_cut attributed to Rock-cut tradition. Systematic survey and coring document stratified deposits. The site includes a principal platform and domestic quarter. Dimensions 233m × 266m; area 14.6 ha. Excavation partially-excavated; condition submerged. Peer-reviewed reports and georeferenced plans available.
Why it mattersKey Rock-cut tradition rock_cut with stratified sequence and landscape setting at 2500 m elevation.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Construction technique
- 02Relation to regional network
Theories
- 01Elite residence hypothesis
- 02Ritual landscape model
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. 600 BCE
- Period
- Bronze to Iron Age (2000 BCE–300 CE)
- Culture
- Rock-cut tradition
- Purpose
- Rock-cut tomb and sanctuary
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
c. 600 BCE
Initial construction / foundation
c. 1058 BCE
Major refurbishment / second phase
1938
Antiquarian record, modern excavation from 1960s
On the ground
Structures & features
12.0300° N · 39.0400° E · 2500 m · 3 mapped features
Principal Monument
structurePrincipal Monument at Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel — structure with stratified deposits
12.0311° N · 39.0380° EAncillary Complex
complexAncillary Complex at Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel — complex with stratified deposits
12.0306° N · 39.0406° EOutlier Feature
outlierOutlier Feature at Lalibela — Bete Giyorgis Ancillary Drainage Channel — outlier with stratified deposits
12.0294° N · 39.0420° E