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Landscapes near MataraLeft: . my jeep (Jamila, |
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, Arabic for 'beautiful') stands on the narrow track near the Matara hawulti while the imposing Amba Matara (
) rises to the west of the ruins. Right: Jamila parked on highway north of Senafe in June 1970, just out of view to the right of the Below are landscapes and details of some of the remarkable countryside surrounding the Matara excavation site. This natural beauty enhances the appreciation of a remarkable ancient city, which flourished for perhaps 1500 years before its destruction some 1000 years ago.
(1) This first group of photographs portrays a common view of one of the numerous striking stone outcrops or ambas near Senafe and Matara, taken from a vantage point on the road from Asmara just north of Senafe during three different seasons, dry, rainy, and harvest. The Matara archaeological site lies behind the Amba to the south of Senafe.
(2) This series includes panoramic views and details of locations along the road to Senafe, the town of Senafe itself, and the landscape surrounding the site of Matara, highlighting some of the natural beauty of this part of Akkele Guzai.
(3) The first photo in this group shows a view westward across the Matara remains, with Amba Saim in the far background, Gwal Saim in the near background, site Matara F on the extreme left, and grazing cattle in middle far foreground, taken during excavation in May 1969 (during the early rainy season). Next is a closer view of Gwal Saim, the small hill in front, the larger Amba Saim behind, and part of the Matara B excavation in the foreground..
(4) The panoramic view below shows a landscape south of Matara along the highway that runs from Asmara to the Eritrea-Tigray border and leads to Adigrat and south through Ethiopia. Clicking on the panorama shows an enlarged view of the panorama and two comparison views of the famous amba where the ancient Debra Damo monastery resides.
(5) This composite panorama shows a section of the dramatic escarpment near the Eritrean archaeological site Quhaito. Other views of the escarpment can also be seen by clicking the panoramia.
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All photos, graphics and text copyright © 1969-2005, Skip Dahlgren, unless otherwise credited.