The so-called “Great Temple” from the 7th century BC is the most important surviving pre-Christian sacred building in East Africa. The 14-metre-high structure is located in the northern highlands of Ethiopia in the village of Yeha and was probably severely damaged by fire around the middle of the 1st millennium BC. For decades it was considered to be in danger of collapsing, but its restoration has now been completed.
to ensure the stability of the upper masonry shells. Photo: DAI Orient Department
Before restoration work began in 2009, the temple was in danger of collapsing. Photo: DAI Orient Department, Holger Hitgen
The temple is located in the Ethiopian highlands in the middle of the monastery grounds of Yeha. Photo: DAI Orient Department, Klaus Mechelke
A solution that is justifiable in terms of monument preservation and aesthetics: stainless steel support scaffolding to ensure the stability of the upper masonry shells. Photo: DAI Orient Department, Irmgard Wagner
In order to preserve this cultural heritage, the Sanaa branch of the Orient Department of the DAI, together with the Ethiopian Antiquities Authority, has been carrying out extensive restoration work on the Yeha site since 2009, in addition to scientific research.
This included the installation of stainless steel support scaffolding to ensure the stability of the upper masonry shells. “The support structure was planned with millimetre precision using 3D laser data into the ancient structure and prefabricated by a steel construction company in Germany,” explains Dr. Iris Gerlach, head of the project. Other measures included the consolidation of the masonry: “An extremely lengthy process of closing cracks and doweling and gluing fragments together,” the archaeologist continues. The project is being supplemented with training components on site, with experts working closely with the local population. In particular, the time-consuming work of sealing cracks and missing parts was carried out with the help of local workers specially trained for these measures. All of these interventions served not only to preserve the building, but also to protect and maintain its cultural identity.
This historically important monument is now accessible again following the completion of the restoration work and its reopening in March.
You can find out more about the condition of the sacred building before the restoration work and the technical approach in an interview with Dr. Gerlach, which can be found here: Interview with Dr. Iris Gerlach