Qohaito

Qohaito is an archaeological site on a high plateau in Debub Region at approximately 2,500 meters elevation. The location contains the remains of buildings, worked stones, and rock carvings that span different periods of settlement.

The site served as a major trading hub during the Aksumite period, linking the port city of Adulis with the kingdom's capital at Aksum. This position made it a place where different peoples and goods converged, creating opportunities for exchange.

The rock carvings and shrines scattered across the site show how people here worshipped and expressed their beliefs across many centuries. You can still see which places mattered most to them and how they left their faith carved into stone.

Visitors should wear sturdy walking shoes and ideally explore the site with local guidance to understand its layout. Morning visits offer better light for viewing the ruins and carvings in detail.

The Sahira Dam was constructed long before the Aksumite period, revealing sophisticated engineering knowledge of early inhabitants. This water management structure preserves evidence of technical skills that predate the region's better-known building efforts.