Yeha Great Temple – Sabaean Palace & Temple
Yeha · Yiha · Great Temple Yeha
Sabaean–D‘MT (c. 700 BCE – 300 CE; Great Temple c. 700 BCE)·Sabaean–Ethiopian (D‘MT kingdom, South Arabian influence)·🇪🇹 Tigray Region, 25 km NE of Adwa, Yeha valley 2,300 m, Ethiopia
About
About Yeha Great Temple – Sabaean Palace & Temple
Best-preserved pre-Axumite monument, Yeha's Great Temple (18.5×15 m, 14 m high) in ashlar with Sabaean inscription and Ethiopian–South Arabian altar, beside Grat Beal Gebri palace (30×30 m) with moon-crescent frieze.
Why it mattersKey Sabaean–D‘MT (c. 700 BCE – 300 CE; Great Temple c. 700 BCE) site illustrating Sabaean–Ethiopian (D‘MT kingdom, South Arabian influence) urbanism and moon-god almaqah temple and sabaean palace marking south arabian colonization of.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Sabaean colony vs indigenous D‘MT co-creation
Theories
- 01South Arabian migration vs cultural transfer (Fattovich)
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- Great Temple c. 700 BCE under Sabaean–D‘MT king
- Period
- Sabaean–D‘MT (c. 700 BCE – 300 CE; Great Temple c. 700 BCE)
- Culture
- Sabaean–Ethiopian (D‘MT kingdom, South Arabian influence)
- Purpose
- Moon-god Almaqah temple and Sabaean palace marking South Arabian colonization of Tigray
- Excavation
- Excavated
Great Temple c. 700 BCE under Sabaean–D‘MT king
Initial construction / foundation
20th century
Modern archaeological survey and excavation
On the ground
Structures & features
14.2800° N · 39.0200° E · 2330 m · 3 mapped features
Yeha Great Temple — Main Temple
templePrimary temple podium at Yeha Great Temple – Sabaean Palace & Temple
14.2800° N · 39.0200° EYeha Great Temple — Altar/Court
altarAltar and court at Yeha Great Temple – Sabaean Palace & Temple
14.2805° N · 39.0205° EYeha Great Temple — Store Galleries
galleryStore galleries at Yeha Great Temple – Sabaean Palace & Temple
14.2795° N · 39.0195° E