The Remarkably Intricate and Exquisitely Carved Tiya Megaliths of Ethiopia

The Tiya stones are part of an archaeological site located in central Ethiopia, in an area known as the Gurage Zone. The 46 large, decorated Tiya megaliths have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Although the construction of such megaliths is an ancient tradition in Ethiopia, the Tiya stones are fairly ‘recent,’ dating to sometime between the 10th and 15th centuries.

Remarkably little is known about the Tiya stelae beyond descriptions of their physical appearance. These large monuments likely had some cultural significance when erected, but their meaning remains unclear today and very few efforts have been made towards understanding these magnificent monoliths.

Engraved Tiya stones. (BigStockPhoto)

A Collection of Megalithic Pillar Sites The town of Tiya is found in central Ethiopia, located in the Soddo Region, in an area known as the Gurage Zone. Over 100 stelae can be found scattered across nine distinct megalithic pillar sites within the zone, 46 of which can be found at Tiya.

The pillar sites contain large stelae (monuments) of three types – anthropomorphic, phallic, and non-anthropomorphic/non-phallic. Anthropomorphic stelae are those which are given a human form. Phallic stelae are tall, thin shafts. The final stelae are flat monuments that take on neither an anthropomorphic nor phallic form, yet still take on the same basic form as the other megaliths.

Each of these types of stelae are prominent within the nine sites of the Gurage Zone. Additionally, most of the stelae in the Gurage Zone contain elaborate decorations, including symbols that resemble plants, swords, and human figures, standing “akimbo,” with their hands on their hips and elbows turned out.

Engravings on the Tiya stones. Source: BigStockPhoto

The monoliths at Tiya are taller than the stelae found elsewhere in the zone, with the tallest reaching over 16 feet (5 meters) high. 32 of the Tiya stelae bear decorative symbols.

In April 1935, one of the Tiya stones, engraved with a sword symbol, was discovered during a German expedition. Local residents refer to the stelae as Yegran Dingay, Gran’s Stone. This is in reference to the ruler of the Adal Sultanate, Imam Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Ghazi.

Significant Finds In addition to the stelae at Tiya, there have been other finds of archaeological significance. During excavations, several tombs have been found. In the area, researchers have also discovered tools form the Middle Stone Age.

Several sets of remains have been found in the area as well, with the bodies dating to sometime between the 12th and 14th centuries. Upon examination, it appeared that the remains belonged to individuals who were killed in battle. This may be fitting, as some say that the Tiya stones appear to be laid out like a row of headstones. There has been speculation that this is, perhaps, the site of a mass burial for those killed in battle.

Some have likened the Tiya stones to the headstones of graves. Source: BigStockPhoto

The Tiya stelae are similar to stelae found in other areas, such as those that can be found en route between Djibouti City and Loyada. The stelae near Djibouti City include anthropomorphic and phallic stelae and some of those near Loyada contain a T-shaped symbol. Some of these stelae also contain the symbols found on the Tiya stelae.

Symbols engraved on the Tiya stones. Source: BigStockPhoto

Saving the Tiya Stones for the Future The Tiya stones were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is considered to be of special cultural or physical significance. These worldwide sites are protected in hopes of preserving any cultural significance they may hold.

The site of the Tiya stones joins many other UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Ethiopia, including Axum, Lalibela, Semien Mountains National Park, Fasiledes Castle, the lower Valley of the Awash River, the lower Valley of the Omo, Muslim Holy City Harar, and the Konso Landscape. Altogether, these sites are the important remains of ancient Ethiopian culture, although it has been said that there has not been enough effort towards understanding the archaeology of Ethiopia.

Fully understanding the purpose and function of the Tiya stones is difficult because of the small amount of research that has been done in the area. Identification as a UNESCO World Heritage Site should be helpful towards learning more about the stelae, but surprisingly little has been done in the past 35 years since that occurred.

Megalithic Tiya stone pillars, a UNESCO World Heritage Site near Addis Abbaba, Ethiopia. (atosan /Adobe Stock)

Sites such as the Tiya stones should be protected to ensure that any cultural secrets they hold will remain preserved, and perhaps someday be discovered. As a site created by the ancestors of those who live in Tiya and nearby areas, any significance of the megaliths may still apply to those who live there today. That importance is part of the reason that authorities decided to perform conservation work at the site in 2017.

By protecting the site, UNESCO and other interested groups can ensure that the stones are preserved for future generations. There is the hope that more research will be undertaken in order to learn more about the amazing megaliths at Tiya, including who constructed them, why they did so, and what significance the monuments hold.

Related Posts

The true mystery of the Bermuda Triangle revealed by researchers

For decades, the Bermuda Triangle has been shrouded in mystery, known as the “Devil’s Triangle,” where ships disappear without a trace, planes vanish from the skies, and navigation instruments fail inexplicably. …

Read more

2024’s Most Shocking Archaeological Discoveries That No One Saw Coming! | History Documentary

The world of archaeology is a treasure trove of mysteries waiting to be uncovered, and 2024 has already proven to be a groundbreaking year for unexpected finds that have left both experts and enthusiasts in awe. From ancient civilizations to lost artifacts, …

Read more

🚨 SHOCKING: Ariana Grande Makes a Surprising Appearance at the EE BAFTAs Looking Noticeably Thinner and More Frail—Speculations Arise About Possible Drug Use as Sources Weigh In!

🚨 SHOCK: Ariana Grande Appears Frail and Thin at EE BAFTAs – Drug Use Rumors EXPLODE! Pop sensation Ariana Grande made an unexpected appearance at the EE BAFTAs awards ceremony , but instead of dazzling fans with her signature charm, she left everyone …

Read more

Breaking News: Elon Musk Declares Tesla Cybertruck Off-Limits to Members of the ‘Proud’ Community – Cites Unspecified Reasons

In an unprecedented and highly controversial move, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will not sell its Cybertruck to anyone belonging to the ‘pride’ community. The statement, which Musk made in a now-viral post on X (formerly Twitter), …

Read more

Oprah Winfrey Shocks the World: Ending Her Legendary Show and Moving to Italy – “I Can’t Live in the U.S. for the Next 4 Years or Breathe the Same Air as Elon Musk!”

Iп aп υпexpected aпd bold move, Oprah Wiпfrey, the qυeeп of daytime televisioп, has aппoυпced that she will be eпdiпg her icoпic talk show aпd relocatiпg to Italy. Iп a caпdid statemeпt, the media mogυl revealed that she coυld пo loпger coпtiпυe liviпg …

Read more

Breaking News: Kevin Costner Reportedly Refuses to Share the Stage with Whoopi Goldberg at the Oscars—”If She Comes, I Will Leave,” Sparks Controversy

Kevin Costner, famous actor for impressive roles in films like Dances With Wolves and The Bodyguard, caused a big controversy when refusing to share the stage with WHOOPI Goldberg at the Academy Awards Ceremony. now. According to unprinted sources, Costner …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *