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This fantastic view (left) looking southeast from atop one of the unearthly spires that surround Yeha and its environs gives a sense of the natural majesty that was enhanced by the architectural splendor created in this ancient capital. Barely visible near the lower left corner of the photo are Enda Abuna Afse and the more modern Enda Maryam church standing next to it in the walled compound. (Click to go to rows of photos and maps below.) Enda Abuna Afse and Enda Maryam can be seen more clearly in the photo (row 1, far left) that shows a closer view of the walled compound, but from a slightly different perspective (looking approximately east-southeast). The excavation site, Grat Ba'al Gibri, can be faintly identified near the bottom center of the same photo. The next photo (row 1, center left) also shows both ancient ruins, but from a lower elevation and a very different perspective, this time looking nearly due east. The site plan (row 1, center right, taken from the 1972 Anfray report on the findings of that year's excavation) shows the relative locations of Grat Ba'al Gibri and Enda Abuna Afse on either side of the Yeha marketplace. The photo of me (row 1, far right) was taken while I was photographing the large landscape, as well as the incredible field of snaggle-toothed pinnacles (row 2, left) which ranged into the distance from behind my vantage point. Next (row 2, center) is a view of some of Yeha's farm fields after a heavy rain, near the home to the west of the archaeological sites where we camped during the excavations, and finally (row 2, right) a traditional house, part of the household near our tents. (Click to return to large photo.) |
All photos, graphics and text copyright © 1966-2005,
Skip Dahlgren, unless otherwise credited.
This archaeological site map was taken from the 1972 publication reporting on the second season of excavation at Grat Ba'al Gibri, under the direction of Francis Anfray. After two seasons (1969 and 1970) working with M. Anfray and his team at Matara, I joined them again during the 1971 and 1972 seasons at Yeha. Also participating in the Yeha excavations was the Italian archaeologist Rodolfo Fattovich, who has made his career continuing archaeological research in Egypt, Sudan, and Ethiopia. |
All photos, graphics and text copyright © 1966-2005,
Skip Dahlgren, unless otherwise credited.
In this photo (left), the standing walls and open roof of Enda Abuna Afse can be clearly seen next to the Enda Maryam church, both enclosed within the stone wall of the compound, directly east from the camera. The Grat Ba'al Gibri site can't be seen clearly due to the lower angle at which this photo was taken, but its location in the grove of trees to the left of center across the marketplace from Enda Abuna Afse is easy to determine. Compare with the excavation site plan (below left) for help with the orientation of the photo. As in the primary photo of this group (below right), the wide expanse of arable fields conveniently spread among the houses of Yeha are clearly visible in this photo. Clicking the lower right photo to return to the larger-scale version provides a good view of the green, lightly wooded area comprising the residential part of the eastern end of Yeha, surrounded by wide expanses of brown fields, some of which are hillside terraces.
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All photos, graphics and text copyright © 1966-2005,
Skip Dahlgren, unless otherwise credited.
The walled compound containing the ruined edifice known as Enda Abuna Afse and the neighboring church called Enda Maryam can be seen in this photo (left), with Enda Abuna Afse just above the center of the photo. Almost directly to the northwest and in the direct line of sight between the camera and Enda Abuna Afse, but difficult to see in this poorly-exposed photo, is the ongoing excavation at Grat Ba'al Gibri. Compare with the excavation site plan (below) for help with the orientation of the photo.  |
All photos, graphics and text copyright © 1966-2005,
Skip Dahlgren, unless otherwise credited.
