Nestled on the eastern slopes of Melatta, northwest of Aksum, Adi Tsehafi is an archaeological gem offering a glimpse into 2nd-century village life. This historic site, with its stelae field, reveals a wealth of grave goods, shedding light on the customs of early Axumite villagers. Nearby, an ancient quarry showcases distinct stone-extraction techniques, differing from those used at Gobedra Hill, the source of Aksum’s grandest stelae.
Dating back to the first millennium BC, Adi Tsehafi was home to a thriving community of pastoralists and farmers, cultivating crops of both African and South Arabian origin. Walking through this site is like stepping into an open-air museum where remnants of an ancient agrarian society still whisper their untold stories.