UN helicopter and vehicles at the Axum airport. These are for the Ethiopia-Eritrea border peacekeeping mission.

Typical house construction in the Axum area

A wagon is loaded with hay near Axum

Donkeys walk on "Denver Street" in Axum

Relics in the Axum Archaeological Museum

A Tigray woman shows off her handicrafts in Axum. This picture was chosen as a finalist in the 2007 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Travel Photo Contest, "People" category.

King Basen's Tomb

Burial nook in King Basen's Tomb. This tomb reputedly dates back to the time of Christ.

Stela that marks the location of King Basen's Tomb

Monument in downtown Axum

Axum's main stelae field

A tigray woman and her child near the Tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel

Piles of hay, with a scenic vista looking northward toward Eritrea, near the tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel.

Inside the tomb of King Kaleb, dating back to the 6th century A.D.

Tomb of King Kaleb

Stone sarcophagi in the Tomb of King Kaleb

Scenery near the tombs of Kaleb and Gebre Meskel

Trilingual tablet written in Ge'z, Saebean and Greek, near Axum. This tablet dates back to the time of King Ezana, 4th century A.D.

Mai Shum, sometimes called the "Bath of the Queen of Sheba." It is now used as a water source by local families.

A UN vehicle at the Remhai Hotel in Axum

Main stelae field, Axum

Stela of King Ezana, Axum (4th century AD). It is leaning to the right of the frame.

Collapsed stela of King Remhai, Axum

Remains of an ancient palace near Dongar, said to be the palace of the Queen of Sheba

Stelae field across from the Dongar Palace, reputed to contain the tomb of the Queen of Sheba

Funeral procession through Axum. Note red and yellow Tigray flags being carried.

Cathedral of Tsion Maryam (St. Mary), Axum. This is the church built by Haile Selassie in the 20th century.

Cross atop the 20th-century Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

Bell tower, Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

A collection of crowns from Ethiopian monarchs is displayed in the Tsion Maryam Complex

Depiction of the crucifixion, Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

Mary and Jesus, Tsion Maryam

Depiction of the Ark of the Covenant in the Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

An ancient book displayed in the Cathedral of Tsion Maryam

Paintings on the interior of the 17th-century Church at Tsion Maryam, built by Emperor Fasilidas

Paintings on the interior of the 17th-century Church at Tsion Maryam, built by Emperor Fasilidas

Paintings of Ethiopian saints on the interior of the 17th-century Church at Tsion Maryam, built by Emperor Fasilidas

Paintings on the interior of the 17th-century Church at Tsion Maryam, built by Emperor Fasilidas

Grounds of the Tsion Maryam Complex

Exterior of the 17th-Century Church at Tsion Maryam. Note similar style to castles of Gondar.

This building reputedly houses the Ark of the Covenant, but no one is allowed to see it.

A contemporary church next to the main stelae field

Painting on the exterior of the modern church next to the stelae field, Axum

More collapsed stelae on the other side of the contemporary church