Rock art at Bete Mariam, Lalibela: Biblical and Archaeological Interpretation

Getachew Meressa

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt has been made to give an interpretation of selected animal engravings at Bete Mariam (the House of St. Mary), in Lalibela from Biblical and Archaeological perspectives. Lalibela is a monastic medieval settlement in Ethiopia; located at about 700 Kilometers to the north of the capital, Addis Ababa. Lalibela is one of the most popular historical and tourist attractions sites in Ethiopia and usually identified by its rock-hewn churches. The 11 rock-hewn are inscribed into a World Heritage List made by UNESCO in September 1978.