Screens shielding ancient Ethiopian churches worry locals Residents of the Ethiopian town of Lalibela worry that massive tarpaulin screens erected to protect ancient churches could collapse and destroy the historic churches. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978, the Lalibela churches are unique. They are carved from rock and sit below ground level, surrounded by deep, dry moats, with only their roofs visible. IMAGES of the churches AND SOUNDBITES of priests and a worshipper