An international team of researchers has conducted an archaeological survey and test excavation at Sakaro Sodo, one of the ancient megalithic stele sites in Gedeo zone, south Ethiopia. Ethiopia’s Gedeo zone is known to have the largest number and highest concentration of megalithic stele monuments in Africa, with an estimate of more than 10,000 stelae. Existing archaeological, ethnographic, and living megalithic stele traditions in the region suggest that the oldest stele sites were likely created for two purposes: to commemorate the transfer of power from one generation to the next or to record and commemorate group achievement. Dr. Zena and colleagues used advanced radiocarbon dating to determine the megalithic stelae at the Sakaro Sodo site were likely created sometime during the first century CE. New Dates for Megalithic Stele Monuments of Gedeo, South Ethiopia.

Source: Ethiopian News December 13, 2021 16:17 UTC