Obelisk of Axum
ሓወልቲ ኣኽሱም | |
The Obelisk of Axum in Axum, Tigray Region (2009) | |
| Location | Axum, Central Zone, Tigray Region, Ethiopia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 14°7′56″N 38°43′11″E / 14.13222°N 38.71972°E |
| Type | Aksumite stele |
| Material | Single, solid block of a weather-resistant stone similar to granite |
| Height | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Completion date | 4th-century |
| Restored date | 19 April 2005 |
| Location | Ethiopia |
| Criteria | (i)(iv) |
| Inscription | 1980 (4th Session) |
| Area | Tigray Region |
| Website | Official website |
The Obelisk of Axum (Tigrinya: ሓወልቲ ኣኽሱም, romanized: ḥawelti Akhsum; Amharic: የአክሱም ሐውልት, romanized: Ye’Åksum ḥāwelt) is a 4th-century CE, 24-metre (79 ft) tall phonolite stele, weighing 160 tonnes (160 long tons; 180 short tons), in the city of Axum in Ethiopia. It is ornamented with two false doors at the base and features decorations resembling windows on all sides. The obelisk ends in a semi-circular top, which used to be enclosed by metal frames.