Background
Tiya is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Soddo region, south of Addis Ababa. UNESCO says the site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, most of them difficult to decipher: the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined.
Wikipedia dates the stelae, many engraved with swords, to somewhere between the 10th and 15th centuries; they likely mark a large burial complex, and excavations have found tombs and Middle Stone Age tools. Tiya is one of nine megalithic pillar sites in the Gurage Zone, and locals call the stones Yegragn Dingay, Gran's stone, after a 16th-century leader who lived centuries after they were raised. Wikivoyage: about 90 km from Addis, a fine day trip that does not take long to explore.
- Middle Stone AgeTools found on the surface at Tiya
- 10th–15th c.The engraved stelae are raised over a burial ground
- 1935A German expedition records the sword-carved monoliths
- 1980Inscribed as World Heritage
Find Your Way Around
The main parts of the site, in the order most visitors see them
- 1The Stelae Field36 monuments, 32 of them carved.
- 2The Sword CarvingsThe most recognisable symbol on the stones; others remain undeciphered.
- 3The TombsExcavations beneath the stelae found burials.
- 4Melka KuntureThe Stone Age site 30 km away, paired with Tiya in the GoGo day trip.
Know Before You Go
From Wikivoyage and the GoGo guides
Melka Kunture and Tiya
From the GoGo Addis Ababa guide · Open the Addis Ababa Guide ›
- 09:30Melka Kunture Prehistoric Site2 hrsStone Age tool sites by the Awash river.
- 13:00Carved Stelae of Tiya90 minThe standing stones south of Addis.
- 19:30Injera and Cultural Show2.5 hrsShared platters and dancing, back in Addis.
Best Time to Visit
Best months: Oct–Jun. Rainy season Jul–Aug.
Typical highs
Climate: NASA POWER
Pair It With
Other World Heritage sites nearby, by distance
