Yeha, Tigray

I visited Yeha, an old temple near Axum, Northern Ethiopia. It is interesting to see a site so much earlier than the others, though since it is covered in scaffolding (of metal rather than the usual wooden variety seen in these parts) the effect is generally spoilt. I rather doubt the assertion of the guide that it had really remained standing since pre-Axumite times. There is a small church nearby with a few unremarkable items which the deacon wanted a payment to look at, and an excavation site from which not much can be made.  My guide picked up some cooking oil in the village, explaining bafflingly "none is available in Axum - because it is such a big town".