Introduction
The history of Ethiopia is as long as it is complex and involves some of the greatest ancient kingdoms of Africa. The country is considered by some to be the cradle of humanity, following the discovery of Lucy, the 3.2 million year old skeleton of one of man's oldest ancestors. Many years after Lucy lived came the Land of Punt, followed by an Arabian-influenced civilisation and then the Kingdom of Axum, one of the most powerful kingdoms in the ancient world.
Christianity was born in Ethiopia in 400AD, which signalled the demise of the Kingdom of Aksum. By the beginning 12th century the Zagwe Dynasty had taken hold, leaving behind the incredible rock-hewn churches of Lalibela but strangely, little else. Different reigns, wars and kingdoms followed until the rise and fall of Gondar, between 1636 and 1755. With such an interesting history, a tailor made tour around some of Ethiopia's ruined ancient civilisations is a must-do for any Ethiopian holiday.
