The ruins of Sembel in Asmara

One of the many ancient remains of Eritrea has been uncovered in Sembel. The site was discovered on the far right of the road leading to Asmara Airport as you enter a dirt track going uphill. The site overlooks the Asmara cemetery at the top.This ancient site represents a major milestone in uncovering past urban life in the Horn and sub-Saharan Africa. This archaeological discovery will provide a glimpse into the life and culture of the inhabitants of the earliest civilization in Eritrea. 

The elaborate infrastructure found so far points to some advanced communities which settled in Eritrea circa 820 to 780 BC – around nine centuries before the Axumite Empire. People in those communities had a thriving lifestyle and were densely populated.

​They produced excellent artefacts and examples of that were discovered around the recent archaeological find. Many of these artefacts were remarkably in good condition. The single best thing about visiting this place is seeing and experiencing such an extraordinary aspect of Eritrea’s heritage. 

If being in a beautiful city like Asmara is not good enough in itself, the recently discovered archaeological marvels add a spectacular update to the city. The latest archaeological find makes a visit to Asmara even more of a diverse experience.