Axum, in the highlands of Ethiopia was the centre of an important trading empire, controlling the Red Sea and channeling exotic African merchandise into markets of the East and West. In the fourth century (AD), it became one of the first states to adopt Christianity as a state religion. Axum became the major religious centre for the Ethiopian Coptic Church. Axum’s most spectacular archaeological remains are the large carved monoliths – stelae that are concentrated in the Stelae Park opposite the Cathedral precinct. In addition to these major monuments, Axum is endowed with many less tangible and monumental assets that can be brought to life to make the experience of visiting this ancient centre memorable. This study, based upon proposals commissioned by the Government of Tigray Province, develops ideas through ‘Design Research’ to investigate possibilities for enriching visitor experience in the context of a rich archaeological site where the current community are proud descendants of the inhabitants of a long lost empire. The Axumite Empire’s legacy is a rich and uniquely African cultural heritage that expresses itself through religion, history, mythology, crafts and cuisine. The proposal seeks to demonstrate how these less tangible assets can be harnessed to complement the magnificent stelae to make a visit to Axum memorable and informative
