The ancient Ethiopian city known for tall carved stone stelae and royal tombs is Aksum, also spelled Axum. It was the capital of the Aksumite Empire, a powerful Red Sea trading kingdom that flourished from roughly the first to the eighth centuries CE.
Aksum’s granite stelae were monumental grave markers, probably associated with elite and royal burials. Many were carved to resemble multi-story buildings, complete with recessed panels and symbolic architectural details. The largest, the Great Stele, was about 33 meters long but fell and broke; another famous stele stands about 24 meters high.
The city was also a center of Christianity, especially after King Ezana’s conversion in the fourth century. Its archaeological remains include royal tombs, stone thrones, palace ruins, inscriptions, and the churches of Our Lady Mary of Zion. UNESCO designated Aksum’s archaeological sites a World Heritage Site in 1980.
A common mix-up is confusing Aksum with Adwa, a nearby Ethiopian town associated with the 1896 Battle of Adwa. The spelling “Axum” is common in English, while “Aksum” is also standard.