Built by angels? Towards a buildings archaeology context for the rock-hewn medieval churches of Ethiopia

Bibliographic Data

ID4869828
AuthorsNiall Finneran (0000-0001-7945-8839, University of Winchester, corresponding author)
Year2009
Volume41
Issue3
Pages415-429
Publication date2009-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueWorld Archaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0043-8243 • E-ISSN: 1470-1375
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/00438240903112344
OpenAlexW2025794473
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited18

The medieval rock-cut churches of northern and central Ethiopia bear witness to an ancient Christian heritage. Hitherto, their study has been largely confined to art-historical and architectural-historical disciplines, but this contribution argues that an archaeological approach may reveal much about their development, chronology and symbolism. Methodologies used in the study of the fabric and form of traditional 'built' churches may not be wholly applicable to the study of rock-cut structures, but there are other avenues which may be investigated using these techniques, and this paper outlines some of the approaches which might be usefully employed. Special attention is paid to the 'functional' engineering context of these structures as well as a consideration of some of the more symbolic ideas which might be 'read' from a study of architectural space

Archaeology · Chronology · Context (archaeology · Middle Ages · Witness · African history and culture analysis · African studies and sociopolitical issues · Global Maritime and Colonial Histories · History · Law