Archaeological excavations at the church of Arbaetu Ensesa Aksum, Ethiopia, 2006-2007

Archaeological excavations at the church of Arbaetu Ensesa (Gangua Edaga) in Aksum, Ethiopia, revealed two distinct phases of construction. The earlier phase dates to between the 6th and 7th centuries AD, characterized as a late Aksumite three-aisle basilica with an apsidal sanctuary, while the second phase appears to originate from the 19th century AD. A significant discovery was a thick ash layer containing burned bricks, indicating that the original Aksumite church was destroyed by fire. Excavations also uncovered Aksumite coins, crosses, glass artifacts, pottery, and evidence of an Aksumite glass industry, all dating to the same period as the basilica. This study sheds light on the architectural evolution and historical timeline of Aksum's religious structures.

Hagos, T. (2011). Archaeological excavations at the church of Arbaetu Ensesa Aksum, Ethiopia, 2006-2007. Annales d’Ethiopie, 26(1), 79–98. https://doi.org/10.3406/ethio.2011.1432