Ancient ebony figures discovered in a necropolis in Israel are stylistically African, but made of Asian wood and surfaced from early Christian burials. Archaeologists think that the figures were Ethiopian, and could have been carved in Africa or in Israel by African migrants who had converted to Christianity. “The two ebony figurines are among the most interesting finds in our excavation.” You can see them here. Even in the desert, Tel Malhata would have thrived from the industrial and agricultural gains of the Byzantine period. As for these being Christian burials, some of the first Christian peoples of Africa were Axumites, Nobades, and Ethiopians.