Excavations at the ancient port city of Adulis on the Red Sea coast have revealed a 2,000-year-old temple dedicated to a maritime protector deity. The structure, built with coral blocks and basalt slabs, reflects the peak of the Axumite Empire’s maritime power and its links to the Indo-Roman trade network.
The temple's layout includes a unique water-drainage system designed for ritual libations involving precious oils and spices. Discoveries inside the sanctum include glass beads from the Mediterranean and Indian-style terracotta lamps, providing physical evidence of the cosmopolitan nature of this ancient commercial gateway.