This landmark book is the first to integrate historical, archaeological, and art-historical evidence to provide a comprehensive account on one of the oldest Ethiopian churches. The church of Yemrehanna Krestos is named after the eponymous king of the Zagwe dynasty, who is said to have ruled Ethiopia for some forty years in the second half of the twelfth century. It is part of a royal site including a building considered to be the kings residence, an adjacent reception building, and a large necropolis with the tomb of Yemrehanna Krestos, his wife or daughter. The church is particularly interesting in many ways. Its ground plan is derived from that of the Mediterranean basilica and presents a variant frequently used in Coptic Egypt. The central part of the sanctuary is covered by a dome painted inside with crosses and floral elements. The exterior walls present horizontal alternating dark and white bands of wood and plaster over stone, while elaborate window traceries are carved alternately in white stone and dark wood. Carved and painted wood (i.e. beams, wall panels, etc) dominates the interior, although some elements are executed in painted stucco.
The church is further decorated with murals and contains two ancient, portable wooden altars and two large 16th-century triptychs bearing many inscriptions. | 
