Lioness of Gobedra, Ancient rock carving near Axum, Ethiopia.
The Lioness of Gobedra is a three-meter-long carving of a crouching lioness etched into a large phonolite rock outcrop west of Axum. The sculpture displays details of the animal's posture and facial features on the stone surface.
German archaeologists first documented this rock carving in 1913, though its creation date remains uncertain. Scholars estimate the sculpture originated in pre-Christian times, making it a valuable record of ancient cultures in the region.
Local stories link this carving to a legendary battle between a lioness and Archangel Michael, reflecting spiritual beliefs rooted in Ethiopian tradition. Visitors encounter these narratives when speaking with people from the surrounding area who continue to share them.
Visitors can reach the carving by walking roughly two kilometers from Axum across agricultural fields, with local guides often present at the site. The walk is straightforward on foot, and early morning offers the most comfortable conditions for the journey.
Near the lioness sculpture stands Wuchate Golo quarry, containing unfinished stelae and evidence of ancient stone extraction methods. This location reveals how workers once shaped and removed blocks for Axum's monuments.
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