Ancient Destinations Ethiopia

Located in what is known as the "Horn of Africa" Ethiopia is a very unique country in comparison to its neighbours. Its people can speak more than 80 languages and its population varies from urban city dwellers to nomadic shepherds. It is a land steeped in legends ranging from the Queen of Sheba to the Ark of the Covenant.

Photo: Jialiang Gao

Located in northern Ethiopia is the city of Axum. It is the country's oldest city and once stood as the capital of the powerful Axumite Empire (AD 100 - 1000). The most dominant monuments here include giant obelisks. The first being King Ezana's Stelae which stands 70 feet high. The second is the fallen Obelisk of Axum and is estimated to be about 1,700 years old. The obelisk is 78 feet tall and weighs over 100 tons! The entire monument is decorated with fake doors and windows. Some scholars speculate it may have been used in measuring astronomical events in the past. (More Photos)

Photo: GNU License - Adam Cohn

Another site that should be included in an ancient world tours package is Axum. This area contains the Ethiopian Orthodox Church which is also known as the Chapel of the Tablet. Today, many Ethiopians believe that this church contains the original Ark of the Covenant. Sceptics disagree and argue that the real Ark is not inside and that a replica of the Ark is closer to the truth. According to the Bible, the Ark contained the stone tablets of the Ten Commandments written by God. No visitors are allowed to see the Ark or enter the chapel. (More Photos)

Whether the real Ark of the Covenant is inside or not, it is closely guarded by a single monk who can frequently be seen outside the doors of the chapel. The chapel is built beside the Church of Our Lady Mary of Zion. This church is considered to be the oldest and most important church in Ethiopia. Many people to this day strongly believe that the real Ark of the Covenant was kept in this church orginally, before being placed inside the Chapel of the Tablet.