The site of Lalibela, an ensemble of twelve rock churches each one entirely hewn out, in one block, of the basalt of the high plains of Ethiopia, has been a subject of study for archaeologists, historians and architects for many years. This exceptional ensemble nevertheless is largely unknown to us.
According to legend, God ordered King Lalibela (1220†? – 1225) to build a new Jerusalem. Miraculously, with the help of angels, he managed to do this in less than 25 years.
Several important questions are at present under discussion among specialists†: Were these churches built at the same period? Were these monuments originally built as churches?  Was this site King Lalibela's capital and that of the Zagwe dynasty (XIe – XIIe century)? What was the chronology of the successive excavations which caused these buildings to ´†emerge†ª?
For 50 years these churches have intrigued searchers, but it is the first time that a multidisciplinary team has been able to study these problems on the spot, thanks to the understanding and kindness of the Ethiopian ecclesiastical authorities.