The cluster of Pleistocene archaeological and palaeontological sites of Melka Kunture and Balchit lies along the upper course of the Awash River, on the Ethiopian Highlands, at an altitude of about 2,000 to 2,200 metres above the sea level. With a relatively continuous stratigraphic sequence formed by the accumulation of fluvial/alluvial and volcano-derived deposits interposed with tuff, the property preserves an exceptionally long cultural sequence consisting of four consecutive phases of the Oldowan, Acheulean, Middle Stone Age and Late Stone Age techno-complexes, documented in a variety of archaeological contexts, testifying to the occupation of the area by hominin groups from two million years ago.

Fragments of palaeo-landscapes preserved buried under the volcanic and sedimentary deposits with fossil fauna and flora allow to reconstruct the high-mountain ecosystem of the Ethiopian Highlands during the Pleistocene and draw conclusions on the adaptation of hominins to the challenges and climatic conditions of high altitudes. The presence of Homo erectus, Homo heidelbergensis and archaic Homo sapiens fossils, found in association with well-dated archaeological material, throws light on the development of skills and cognitive capacities in the early hominin groups. Rich concentration of varied lithic assemblages made from volcanic rocks with different knapping techniques, and evidence of high-quality of standardised obsidian tools, suggest a level of planning and innovation. Evidence of the centuries-long tradition of procurement and use of obsidian starting with the Oldowan industry makes the property the earliest known example of obsidian utilisation and an outstanding witness of continuity of exploitation of this raw material.