Archaeologists have made an important discovery in the Kingdom of Aksum, a major ancient power in Northeastern Africa, identifying two churches from shortly after the Aksumite's conversion to Christianity. These are some of the first churches in the Kingdom reliably dated to this key period.1

Over a hundred years since these churches were first excavated, archaeologists are re-examining these buildings with modern techniques. Dr. Gabriele Castiglia, from the Pontificio Istituto di Archeologia Cristiana, is part of a team digging them back up and carrying out radiocarbon dating on the site. This new data has allowed them to accurately reconstruct their history, with their findings published in the journal Antiquity.

  • 1. The Aksumite Kingdom ruled much of the northern Horn of Africa in the first millennium AD, stretching from Ethiopia to Arabia, and was an important contemporary of the Roman Empire. Like their Mediterranean neighbor, the Aksumite leader—King Ezana—converted to Christianity in the 4th century AD but securely dated churches from this period are rare. However, two churches from the important Aksumite port of Adulis, in modern Eritrea, are helping fill this gap. One is an elaborate cathedral, complete with the remains of a baptistry, that is located near the center of the city and was first excavated in 1868. The other, first excavated in 1907, is in the east and features a ring of columns that show it once had a dome.
A possible cathedral in Adulis, Eritrea. Photogrammetry has been used to create a 3D model of the excavated remains of an important place of worship.
A possible cathedral in Adulis, Eritrea. Photogrammetry has been used to create a 3D model of the excavated remains of an important place of worship. - Various different architectural and decorative influences can be detected in the structure, emphasising that this port city lies at a key maritime crossroads.

Gabriele Castiglia, An archaeology of conversion? Evidence from Adulis for early Christianity and religious transition in the Horn of Africa, Antiquity (2022). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2022.136

The port-city of Adulis in modern Eritrea was a key node on the Red Sea linking the Kingdom of Aksum to the Mediterranean, the Middle East and the Indian Ocean. Recent excavations at Adulis have reinvestigated two early Christian churches. New radiocarbon analysis dates both structures to the sixth and early seventh centuries AD, with multiple phases of architectural development reflecting changing use and liturgy. The author uses evidence for both continuity and change in architectural materials, construction styles and sacred practices to assess religious transition at Adulis, and across the Aksumite Kingdom more broadly. Moving beyond an archaeology of conversion, the article reinforces recent work on cosmopolitanism in the Horn of Africa.

The main building phases of the potential cathedral. At top left, we see the various adjustments to the original structure superimposed on a single plan.
The main building phases of the potential cathedral. At top left, we see the various adjustments to the original structure superimposed on a single plan. - At top right, the edifice is shown as originally envisioned. Note the patch of waterproof flooring in the possible baptistery at the south-east corner of the building. In the bottom left plan, a new chancel has been added to the presbytery, and an additional room created at the south-west corner of the building. At bottom right, extra rooms have been inserted into the side aisles of the hall.

Keywords: Horn of Africa; Aksumite Kingdom; Adulis; early Christianity; churches; Islam; and cosmopolitanism