Metera

Metera near Senafe was a substantial town of the pre-Aksumite and Aksumite periods, on the route between the highlands and the Red Sea coast, and excavation has uncovered house foundations, streets, tombs and a stone stele standing on the site carrying an inscription and a disc-and-crescent symbol. Coins, glass and pottery from the Mediterranean and India show how far the trade ran.

Background

Metera is also known as Balaw Kalaw and lies in the Debub Region, a few kilometres south of Senafe and some 136 kilometres southeast of Asmara. It was a major city of both the Dʿmt and Aksumite kingdoms. Excavation has found several levels of habitation, with at least two different major cities spanning more than 1,000 years. The site holds the oldest example of Ge'ez, a pre-Aksumite obelisk known as the Hawulti. Keskese lies 8 kilometres to the north.

Source: Wikipedia, "Matara, Eritrea"

What to look for

• The standing stele - the inscribed pillar with its disc and crescent.
• The town foundations - streets and house walls uncovered by excavation.
• The trade evidence - Mediterranean and Indian material found on the site.
• The route position - a town on the road from the highlands to the sea.

When to go

Year round; the highland climate is mild. Low sun morning and evening shows the wall lines best. The site is exposed with no shade.

Practical notes

What survives is foundations and one standing stone; the site needs background to read. A travel permit is required for movement outside Asmara. There is no interpretation or facility on site.

Nearby

Senafe is just north, and Qohaito is further north.