Melka Kunture and Balchit
Melka Kunture and Balchit is part of the Tentative list of Ethiopia in order to qualify for inclusion in the World Heritage List.
Melka Kunture is an ancient volcanic landscape in the Awash Valley used by humans since prehistory. Tens of thousands of lithic tools, faunal and sometime human fossilized remains have been discovered. The tools were mainly made of obsidian, of which the primary source is at Balchit.
Map of Melka Kunture and Balchit
Load mapThe coordinates shown for all tentative sites were produced as a community effort. They are not official and may change on inscription.
Community Reviews
Boj
Visited Melka Kunture archaeological site in January 2023 - a quick day trip from Addis Ababa.
The site has an interesting museum exhibiting Ethiopia's rich archaeological heritage. Melka Kunture boasts for recording 1.7 million years of continuous prehistoric human occupation, apart from its rich lithic, flora and fauna fossil records (Photo is from the dig site with in-situ artefacts).
Travelers can arrange a visit to Melka Kunture with a trip to Tiya (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and Adadi Mariam Rock Church, the only known rock-hewn church outside of Lalibela.
Site Info
- Full Name
- Melka Kunture and Balchit
- Country
- Ethiopia
- Added
- 2020
- Nominated for
- 2024
- Type
- Mixed
- Categories
- Archaeological site - Prehistoric Natural landscape - Volcanic and thermal
- Link
- By ID
Site History
2022 Incomplete - not examined
2020 Revision
Renomination of "Melka Kunture and Balchit Archaeological Site" (2012)
2020 Added to Tentative List
2012 Revision
Bachilt Archaeological Site added to the nomination
1981 Deferred
At Bureau - Need Tentative List
1980 Deferred
1979 Deferred
Bureau meeting - info requested in 78 still not in place
1978 Deferred
Bureau meeting - info requested
Site Links
Visitors
7 Community Members have visited.