NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HISTORY 91Ethiopian tradition cred-
its King Lalibela with build-
ing all 11 structures, but it is
more likely that he expand-
ed and adorned an existing
complex. Archaeologists
have found that the site was
not built all at once. Sever-
al of the structures predate
Lalibela’s rule. They may
have originally been forts
or civic buildings carved as
early as the seventh centu-
ry. The newer ones, such as
the massive Biete Giyorgis
(House of St. George), date
from Lalibela’s reign.
Two kinds of volcanic
basalt make up the church-
es. Unlike most structures,
which are built from the
ground up, the rock-hewn
churches were carved from
the top down. Workers
most likely used chisels and
other bladed tools to sculpt
each building.
(Continued on page 94)LEBRECHT/AURIMAGESGOD RECEIVES PRINCE LALIBELA, IN
A 19TH-CENTURY MANUSCRIPT.LEGEND SAYS THAT the greatness of the future
king of Ethiopia was evident from the beginning:
A swarm of bees surrounded the infant prince,
but he emerged unharmed. He was named
Lalibela, which means
“the bees recognize his
sovereignty.” Lalibela’s
older brother ordered
that his sibling (and rival)
be poisoned. Lalibela fell
into a deathlike sleep and
had a vision. He saw ex-
traordinary buildings and
heard the voice of God
who instructed him to
build them in the capital.DIVINE INSTRUCTIONS