Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08)
Early Historic (regional)·Early Historic·🇪🇹 Lalibela, Ethiopia
About
About Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08)
Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) at Lalibela, Ethiopia is a Early Historic (regional) underground city of the Early Historic tradition, built c. 800 CE 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 mattersRoyal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) at Lalibela, Ethiopia is a Early Historic (regional) underground city of the Early Historic 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 CE
- Period
- Early Historic (regional)
- Culture
- Early Historic
- Purpose
- Reservoir and associated settlement
- Excavation
- Excavation ongoing
c. 800 CE
Initial construction / first occupation at Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08)
19th–20th century
Excavation and research at Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08)
On the ground
Structures & features
12.0410° N · 38.3094° E · 468 m · 4 mapped features
Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) Main Underground-City Feature
underground cityPrimary underground-city feature at Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) – central reservoir and associated settlement element with stratified deposits
12.0410° N · 38.3095° ERoyal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) Secondary Enclosure
enclosureAncillary enclosure/wall line at Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) defining settlement or ritual space
12.0409° N · 38.3095° ERoyal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) Outlier Rock Art Panel
rock artOutlier cup-mark/petroglyph panel linked to Royal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) ceremonial landscape
12.0411° N · 38.3094° ERoyal Lalibela Reservoir Inner — Lalibela (59-08) Reservoir Cistern
hydraulicRock-cut cistern/reservoir for water management
12.0409° N · 38.3094° E