The remains of a 1,700-year-old Christian church were discovered in Ethiopia, confirming the ancient tradition of an early arrival of Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa. The remains of a Christian place of worship dating back to the 4th century AD have been uncovered in Beta Samati, an ancient city once belonging to the Aksumite Empire, Smithsonian Magazine reports in its December 10, 2019 edition. Originally built by the Romans for administrative purposes, it was probably during the time of Emperor Constantine the Great that the building was converted into a church, the oldest in sub-Saharan Africa known to date. The site, which covers an area of ​​approximately 500 square meters, dates from the time when Christianity became the official religion of the Aksumite empire. The most notable finding remains a carved stone pendant, adorned with a cross and marked “venerable” in ancient Ethiopian.

Source: Ethiopian News January 17, 2020 01:41 UTC