Tiya in pictures: carved stone monuments south of Addis Ababa

November 8, 2026

According to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Tiya is among the most important of the roughly 160 archaeological sites discovered so far in the Soddo region, south of Addis Ababa. UNESCO says the site contains 36 monuments, including 32 carved stelae covered with symbols, most of which are difficult to decipher. They are, UNESCO writes, the remains of an ancient Ethiopian culture whose age has not yet been precisely determined. UNESCO lists the property in Sodo woreda, Gurage zone, and a UNESCO World Heritage Centre note on preparatory assistance for Tiya states that Tiya was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1980.

Three standing stones in tall green grass under a clear blue sky, the right stone carved with a long form like a sword
Three standing stones rise from tall green grass under a clear blue sky. The stone at right is pointed and carved with a long form like a sword above smaller marks. The shorter stone in the centre is darker, with orange lichen and several carved signs. The stone at left is rounded at the top and also bears carved marks and lichen. A small stone sits in the grass at far left, and open country stretches to the horizon. The photographer describes the image as sculpted stelae [file photo]. Credit: Julien Demade, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

A field of standing stones

In its ICOMOS evaluation of 1980, the International Council on Monuments and Sites wrote that the region of Soddo is dotted with numerous archaeological sites of the megalithic period, comprising hundreds of sculpted stelae, and that Tiya is the most representative of those sites. ICOMOS describes the stones as aligned more or less vertically along an axis of 45 metres: a group of 33 stelae, with another group of 3 stelae a short distance from them. The stelae, ICOMOS says, are monolithic stones of hemispheric, conic and sometimes anthropomorphic form.

A leaning standing stone carved with a large sword outline and smaller round and curved signs, with other stones and a dark sky behind
A standing stone leans slightly in green grass, carved with a large outline of a sword above a group of smaller signs, including round and curved marks. Other standing stones and low blocks lie around it, with a paved path and dark clouds beyond. The photographer titles the image Tiya Stelae Field [file photo]. Credit: Richard Mortel, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Swords and symbols that remain hard to read

Of the 36 stelae, ICOMOS reported, 32 are sculpted with what it called vaguely representational configurations. Some of the forms, ICOMOS added, are sword shaped, and most are difficult to decipher. ICOMOS wrote that the stones have been interpreted as having a funerary significance, since tombs are scattered around the stelae. The UNESCO note on preparatory assistance makes the same link, saying the stelae are inscribed with sometimes recurring patterns, such as swords and mysterious symbols, which are generally linked to funeral rites. That note also repeats that the age of the culture has not yet been precisely determined.

Two tall standing stones in grass, the paler one carved with two long forms like swords
Two carved standing stones at Tiya, with grass and trees around them. The photographer titles the image Tiya Stelae Field [file photo]. Credit: Richard Mortel, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0.

Why it matters

ICOMOS recommended that Tiya be included on the World Heritage List under two criteria. Under criterion 1, ICOMOS said the stelae with their enigmatic configurations are unique cultural realisations. Under criterion 4, ICOMOS said they are highly representative of an expression of the Ethiopian megalithic period. ICOMOS recorded that since 1958 Tiya had been under the protection of the Administration of Antiquities, and that the carvings had recently been the object of archaeological study. Although the stelae were for the most part in good condition, ICOMOS warned in 1980 that they were threatened, owing to their symbolic nature, with destruction by man.

Sources

Three standing stones in tall green grass under a clear blue sky, the right stone carved with a long form like a sword
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