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The Zeyi Cave Geosite in Northern Ethiopia

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Abstract

Despite the high geoheritage value of caves and karsts, northern Ethiopia’s largest cave at Zeyi (13.5586°N, 39.1454°E) in the Dogu’a Tembien district has received little attention so far. We have studied its geological, geomorphic, socio-cultural and historical dimensions in a holistic way. The basal member of the Antalo Limestone, in which the Zeyi cave is located, consists of grainstone and wackestone with subordinate marly interlayers. Over a length of 364 m, the oval-shaped gallery displays stalagmites, stalactites, five columns, dissolution holes (“bell-holes”) following joints, stalagmitic floors and other concretions or speleothems. In the absence of any dating of the cave, we contrasted its elevation above the current local base level with known average incision rates of the northern Ethiopian highlands to reconstruct its age, which was calculated as at least 2 to 4 million years. The palaeo-environmental information that is archived in the Zeyi cave sediment would hence cover the Pleistocene. The graves in the sediment at the bottom of the Zeyi cave further indicate that the place could be an ancient burial site, which gives scope for archaeological research. Zeyi boosts a unique combination of abiotic, biotic and cultural components: the nineteenth c. church under the overhanging cliff; the unique cave; the speleothems, cliffs and gorges; and the cave’s bat colony which has been genetically confirmed to be composed of three syntopically roosting species. Accounting for a good balance between cave research, community-based geotourism, geoconservation and biodiversity conservation, the Zeyi cave has strong credentials to become a top geotouristic site in northern Ethiopia. However, major work needs to be done, including granting access for women and organising community-based geotourism.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Kiros Mamun for introduction to the Zeyi community, villagers and priests for hosting and guiding them in the cave, as well as accompanying visitors to the cave, including Zbelo Tesfamariam, Jeroen Berlo, Gebrekidan Mesfin, Berhane Gebre, Yemane Gebremichael Teklehaimanot and Kahsu Kiros. Abba Teklehaimanot Gebreslassie, the monk in charge of the Zeyi church and cave, shared his knowledge with us. Key informants from cave sites in the wider surroundings of Zeyi are gratefully acknowledged, as well as local authorities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium

    Jan Nyssen & Sofie Annys

  2. Department of Biology and Institute of Mountain Research & Development, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Meheretu Yonas & Kiros Welegerima

  3. Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Tesfaalem Ghebreyohannes

  4. Research Centre Gotha of Erfurt University, Gotha, Germany

    Wolbert Smidt

  5. Department of History and Heritage Management, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Wolbert Smidt

  6. EthioTrees Project, Hagere Selam, Dogu’a Tembien, Ethiopia

    Seifu Gebreselassie

  7. Department of Geology, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy

    Andrea Sembroni & Francesco Dramis

  8. Institute of Geography, Liège University, Liège, Belgium

    Camille Ek

  9. The Old Gaol, Rock St. Croscombe, Wells, Somerset, BA5 3QT, UK

    David Causer

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  1. Jan Nyssen
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  2. Meheretu Yonas
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Correspondence to Jan Nyssen.

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Nyssen, J., Yonas, M., Annys, S. et al. The Zeyi Cave Geosite in Northern Ethiopia. Geoheritage 12, 6 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12371-020-00446-7

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