In May 2012, Colin Bowles, an expert in wood conservation, went to the wonderful church of Mikael Amba. Dedicated to the Archangel Michael, this important site is hewn from the rock on a 2500 metre Amba - a rocky outcrop. Through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, we were able to employ Tsegay a local carver as an assistant – an important step to involving Ethiopians in conservation. They worked together to conserve the church’s 11th century wooden rood screen. The screen was originally one of three barriers that separate the sanctuaries from the main part of the church. One screen is in good repair, a second is stored in pieces and the third was falling apart. The joints had expanded and the pillars of the screen had rotted in the ground putting the whole edifice under considerable strain. The panels of the third screen and their footings were lifted out and the joints cleaned out. The rotten footings were then placed in metal shoes which had been made in London from measurements made on a previous trip. These were then embedded in the floor. The screen is now stabilised and stands straight and strong through reversible repairs.
