Photograph of a group of people, including a woman wearing a shemma cloth that has become dirty with wear. Shemma cloth is a hand woven material ubiquitous in Ethiopia, but particularly in northern Ethiopia. Lorna R. Marsden purchased an example of a shemma cloth designed for special occasions during her travels which she later donated to the Museum of Anthropology in 2016, but this image shows its typical and everyday use by women in the late 1960s and early 1970s as a wrap for head and bodies.
Photograph of a woman, baby, small child, and dog in front of what appears to be a mud building with corrugated steel roof somewhere in northern Ethiopia.
Photograph of preparations for what seems to be the Haile Selassie Celebration in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the unveiling of a statue in December 1971. This was a special holiday to celebrate Haile Selassie and during which a new statue of the Lion of Judah was unveiled.
Photograph of the excavation site of what was then thought to be the tomb of the Queen of Sheba in Aksum, Ethiopia. Lorna R. Marsden purchased several paintings on cardboard from roadside sellers near the excavation site, which were later donated to the Museum of Anthropology in 2016.
Photograph of the excavation site of what was then thought to be the tomb of the Queen of Sheba in Aksum, Ethiopia. Lorna R. Marsden purchased several paintings on cardboard from roadside sellers near the excavation site, which were later donated to the Museum of Anthropology in 2016.
Photograph of the Greate Stele in Aksum, Ethiopia. This photograph was taken by Lorna R. Marsden during her visit to Aksum, where she purchased several original paintings in shops and from roadside sellers that she later donated to the Museum of Anthropology in 2016.
Photograph of a street scene with cars, people on camels and pedestrians in what appears to be the outskirts of a city or village somewhere in northern Ethiopia.
Photograph of stained glass window depicting a figure holding a torch, surrounded by figures (including knights) and a vibrant sunset. The border appears to consist of flags of African nation-states. The location of the stained glass is unknown, but is in a building somewhere in northern Ethiopia.
Photograph of the Seven Olives Hotel in Lalibela, Ethiopia which is a landmark in the town and where Lorna R. Marsden stayed during her trip to northern Ethiopia.