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Deciphering the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and Its Structural Formations

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Deciphering the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and Its Structural Formations SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ADDIS ABABA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (Major in Construction Technology and Management) Sacred Geometry Principles on the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela and its Structural Formations By: Kiros Mesele Berhe [email protected] +251 -915 -24-64-52/+251-910-07-39-91 April, 2015 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Sacred Geometry Principles on the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-hewn Churches of Lalibela and its Structural Formations A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Addis Ababa Institute of Technology (Addis Ababa University) in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for degree of Masters of Science in Civil and Environmental Engineering (major in Construction Technology and Management). By: Kiros Mesele Berhe [email protected] This is to certify that the thesis prepared by Kiros Mesele: Sacred Geometry Principles on the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and its Structural Formations and submitted in the partial fulfilment of the requirements for degree of masters of Science in Civil and Environment Engineering (major in Construction Technology and Management) complies with the regulations of the university and meets the standards with respect to originality and quality. Signed by board examiners: a. Prof. Dr. –Ing. Abebe Dinku ______________ _____________ Advisor Signature Date b. Eng. Yibltal Zewde _______________ _____________ External Examiner Signature Date c. Dr. Ephraim Senbetta__ _______________ _____________ Internal Examiner Signature Date d. Dr. Agizew Nigussie__ _______________ _____________ Chairman Signature Date April, 2015 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Declaration I, the undersigned, declare that the thesis is my original work, has not been presented for a degree in any other University (Institute) and that all sources of materials used for the thesis have been duly acknowledged. Name: Kiros Mesele Berhe Signature: ______________ Place: Addis Ababa Institute of Technology, Addis Ababa University Date of Submission: April, 20, 2015 E-mail Address: [email protected] Phone Address: +251-915-24-64-52/+251-910-07-39-91 Acknowledgments I gratefully acknowledge my advisor Prof. Dr. –Ing , Abebe Dinku for his invaluable guidance and constant encouragements. With most precious and deep mutual understanding on the issues, with higher value taker in my all duties, Tibebu Assefa; God bless through all your precious idea, by step for this country. I also acknowledge Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) giving me the opportunity to attend my postgraduate study with all the support I needed. Tadesse Girmay I want to give you great thanks for his assistance by the first draft of the proposal. At last I am very much thanking full to all my friends for their encouragements. Special Tanks! Nigusu and Moges (staff from ARCCH) and Alex (Staff from Amhara Cultural Heritages Conservation Bureau, Lalibela)! For their collaboration during all site works and providing materials! Without you the site work wouldn‟t be as I planned. Wow, Moges really I appreciate your positivity. Kiros Mesele Forward We must always work hard to apply our knowledge in which we acquire it through long process of learning towards bringing a change in our living condition and for our country, means people. It is not a matter of coming up with new scientific investigation, but only to put our knowledge together and a little effort in adopting the existing well-developed technology to the best of our local conditions and capacities. We must therefore prepare ourselves for a new and best system and be aware of the fact that there is always a better and better ways to solve our problems. Kiros Mesele Dedication To all human beings; seekers of the ancient wisdom on sacred places!!! Sacred Geometry Principles on the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and its Structural 2015 Formations Table of Contents Pages Table of Contents ............................................................................................................................................ i List of Figures ................................................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ................................................................................................................................................ ix List of Acronyms ........................................................................................................................................... x Abstract ......................................................................................................................................................... xi Organization of the Thesis ........................................................................................................................... xii CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................. 1 1.1. General Background .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Statement of the Pmroble .................................................................................................................. 3 1.3. Research Questions ........................................................................................................................... 5 1.4. Objectives of the Sytud ..................................................................................................................... 5 1.5. Scope of the Study ............................................................................................................................. 5 1.6. Expected outputs of the Study ........................................................................................................... 5 1.7. Significance of the Sytud ................................................................................................................... 6 1.8. Limitations of the Sytud .................................................................................................................... 6 1.9. Research M ethodology ...................................................................................................................... 7 1.9.1. Sources of the Data ...................................................................................................................... 7 1.9.2. Research Design .......................................................................................................................... 8 1.9.3. Drawing and Analysis of the Data ............................................................................................... 8 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................................... 9 2.1. Definitions ......................................................................................................................................... 9 2.2. Natural Settings of the Study Area .................................................................................................. 11 2.2.1. Geographical and Environmental Settings ................................................................................ 11 2.2.2. Geology of the Area .................................................................................................................. 12 2.3. Historical Backgrounds ................................................................................................................... 14 2.3.1. The Land Ethiopia ..................................................................................................................... 15 2.3.1.1. De’amat Architecture (ca. 800-400 BC) ............................................................................ 16 2.3.1.2. Aksumite Architecture ( ca. 4th BC – 9th AD) ..................................................................... 17 2.3.1.3. Medieval Period (Ze’agwe Period) Architecture (ca. 9th – 12th AD) ................................. 18 2.3.1.4. Gondarine Architecture ( ca. 16th – 18th AD) .................................................................... 19 2.3.2. Ze’agwe Empire ......................................................................................................................... 20 2.3.3. King and Priest Lalibela (Jan.7,1109 – Jan.18,1205G.C) ......................................................... 21 School of Civil & Env’tal Eng’g, AAiT (AAU) By: Kiros M. ii | P a g e Sacred Geometry Principles on the Construction of the Monolithic Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela and its Structural 2015 Formations 2.3.4. Rock Churches in Ethiopia ........................................................................................................ 22 2.4. Rock-Hewn Churches of Lalibela ................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1. Presentation of the Churches ..................................................................................................... 25 2.4.1.1. Bete Mariam (House of Marry) .......................................................................................... 28 2.4.1.2. Bete Medehanealem (House of World Saviour) ................................................................ 30 2.4.1.3. Bete Debre Sinai and Golgotha (Mount Sinai and Golgotha) ...........................................
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