description Obelisk of Aksum Overview
The Obelisk of Aksum is an ancient granite stele located in the city of Aksum, Ethiopia, dating to the 4th century CE. Standing approximately 24 meters tall, it is decorated with false doors and windows, representing the architectural and engineering achievements of the Aksumite Kingdom. The monument was looted by Italian forces in 1937 and stood in Rome until it was dismantled and returned to Ethiopia in 2008. It serves as a major artifact for historians and archaeologists studying ancient African civilizations.
help Obelisk of Aksum FAQ
Where is the Obelisk of Aksum located?
The monument stands in Aksum, in the northern Ethiopian highlands. It is part of the archaeological landscape recognized by UNESCO as evidence of the ancient Aksumite kingdom. [UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/15/)
How old and how tall is the Obelisk of Aksum?
It is generally dated to the 4th century CE and stands about 24 metres high. UNESCO describes it as a granite or stone stele weighing roughly 150 tons. [UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/news/456/)
Why was the Obelisk of Aksum once in Rome?
Italian forces removed the stele from Ethiopia in 1937 during the occupation and transported it to Rome as a war trophy. The Italian government returned it to Ethiopia in 2005, and it was re-erected at Aksum in 2008. [UNESCO](https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/15/)
Is the Obelisk of Aksum technically an Egyptian obelisk?
It is more accurately an Aksumite stele, even though its tall form leads many visitors to call it an obelisk. Its carved false doors and windows imitate the facade of a multi-storey building and reflect Aksumite architectural traditions.
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