Temple of Yeha, Ancient temple ruins in Tigray, Ethiopia.
The Temple of Yeha is built from rectangular limestone blocks stacked without mortar, rising through a high doorway into a central sanctuary space. The structure displays carefully shaped stones fitted closely together.
This structure was built around 700 BC during the Kingdom of D'mt and served as a temple to the god Almougah. It stands as the oldest surviving building in Ethiopia, having endured for nearly 3,000 years.
The carved inscriptions on the stone blocks reveal how ancient Ethiopian and South Arabian building styles came together at this location. This blending of influences shaped how the place looks and feels today.
The site is located in Ethiopia's Tigray region in the north and has regular visiting hours with guided tours available. Hiring a local guide helps visitors understand the archaeological remains more fully.
The limestone blocks were transported and fitted together using remarkably precise techniques without any mortar. This skilled craftsmanship allowed the building to survive across millennia.
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