A look at ancient African architecture that have influenced modern-day structures

The ruin of the temple at Yeha, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Aksumite architecture – Ethiopia

RELATED STORIES

Jamaican patois gained ground against English in the Caribbean thanks to this woman who challenged the system

Remembering Aretha Franklin's moments as a women's rights and civil rights activist

Long-neglected Afro-Mexicans get first-ever all-black fiction film

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika: The most powerful African liberation hymn adopted by five countries as national anthem

The Aksumite architecture grew in the region from the 4^th century BC onward persisting even after the Aksumite dynasty to the Zagwe in the 12^th century. Most structures like the palaces, villas, commoner’s house and other churches and monasteries were built of alternating layers of stone and wood. They had protruding wooden support beams in these structures which were named “monkey heads”.

Church of Abune Aregawi built in the mid-6th century at Debre Damo