Melka Awash (Amharic: መልካ አዋሽና) is a town in Central Ethiopia. It is also known as Melka Kunture, the name of the world heritage listed archaeological site surrounding the town.

Get in

By car

Melka Awash is about 50 km south of Addis Ababa, along the highway to Tiya.

See

Excavation at the Melka Kunture site

Melka Kunture

The Melka Kunture Paleolithic site (መልካ ቁንጥሬ) is the main reason to visit Melka Awash. The Awash river valley has remains of hominid life, dating back to as far as two million years ago. Six excavation sites around town make up the Melka Kunture world heritage site:

• 1 Gombore Garaba. Also has a museum. (updated Jul 2024)

• 2 Simbiro. (updated Jul 2024)

• 3 Balchut. (updated Jul 2024)

• 4 Kella. (updated Jul 2024)

• 5 Wofi. (updated Jul 2024)

• 6 Atebella. (updated Jul 2024)

Go next

• Addis Ababa
• Awash National Park
• Tiya