Ethiopia - The African Empire

Summary

Ethiopia is a land of striking contrasts, defined by the peaks of the Simien mountain plateau and the depths of the Rift Valley, home to the modern city of Addis Ababa and the granite stelae of Aksum, landlocked and yet refreshed by the waters of the Blue Nile. This ancient land, source of fables and stories since antiquity, is full of exciting archaeology to explore. Some of the earliest and most complete remains of human ancestors were discovered here and Saba‘an-style temples dating back to the early first millennium before Christ are still in the process of being excavated. While rock-hewn churches, carved into fabulous shapes and in some cases lavishly painted, hint at Ethiopia’s rich Christian heritage, the city of Harar is a focal point for the country’s Islamic past. Modern history records the hard-fought independence of Ethiopia in the face of colonial powers - ensuring that this land retained its distinctive and enthralling cultural riches.

Follow the Blue Nile south to its source, to venture into the past of one of the world’s most exciting archaeological destinations. Leading this tour is Dr Jacke Phillips, an archaeologist from the School of Oriental and African Studies, London, who has excavated extensively in Ethiopia and is one of the leading figures in Ethiopian archaeology. Jacke’s experience and knowledge of the country are second to none, making her the perfect person to bring the fascinating history of Ethiopia to life.

Tour highlights:

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• Explore the labyrinthine churches and palaces of Aksum, Lalibela and Gondar, Ethiopia’s great imperial cities
• Visit the site of Yeha and the prehistoric Tiya burial complex with its enigmatic symbols
• Pore over fascinating artefacts at a range of museums, including the National Museum of Ethiopia, which is best known for its fossilised remains of early hominids
• Stand before the majestic Blue Nile Falls waterfall and visit Emperor Fasiladas’ atmospheric Epiphany Pool