Aksum was an ancient kingdom located in what is now Ethiopia and Eritrea. It existed from about 100 CE to 940 CE. The kingdom was an important center for trade.

Merchants in Aksum traded goods between Africa, Arabia, and India. The kingdom used its own writing system called Ge’ez. Around 300 CE, Aksum became one of the first kingdoms to adopt Christianity.

Large stone pillars called obelisks were built as monuments. Remains of these structures can still be seen today.