Archaologische Berichte aus dem Yemen, vol. 9.

• Author: Yule, Paul
• Position: Book Review

Archaologische Berichte aus dem Yemen, vol. 9. Mainz: PHILIPP VON ZABERN, 2002. [euro]76.80.

Having appeared last in 1993, this welcome journal contains studies on the archaeology and epigraphy of Old South Arabia (OSA), which show a high degree of originality and technical excellence and should be the envy of archaeologists working in traditional areas of Near Eastern archaeology. Twelve contributions range from the second millennium B.C. into the early Islamic period. As reflected in the present publication, the Orient-Abteilung of the Deutsches Archaologisches Institut (DAI) internationalizes its array of experts, sets the accent more directly on archaeology, and less on architectural studies. The DAI's continued presence and financial commitment in the Yemen since 1978 provide an excellent research platform.

The first three contributions deal with the Sabir (Sabr) culture, as known at the site of this name, located on the Aden-Lahej road, on the Red Sea coast, and at nearby [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII]. Its pottery was first noted by G. Lankester-Harding and D. Brian Doe in the 1960s (cf. p. 27), neither of whom could establish its dating. Suggestions went from the early Bronze Age to the fifth century B.C. Jointly sponsored by the DAI and the Russian Academy of Science (Moscow), the new Sabir excavations began in 1994. The joint team contributes studies on the stratigraphy of Bronze Age [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (pp. 1-7), its irrigation remains (pp. 15-26), and chronology (pp. 27-39). Significantly, the Sabir culture has close relatives in Eretria/Ethiopia, and on the flanks of the Ramlat [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII], as well as in the Yemenite highlands, preceding the incomparably better-known OSA culture.

Excavation in Sabir and [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] yielded not only radiocarbon-dated contexts containing timber-frame architecture and pottery, but have also documented anthropogenic developments and extensive human intervention in the environment. Nine [.sup.14]C assays from [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] (p. 36) and 26 from Sabir (pp. 37-39) from well-stratified contexts provide a firm chronological basis. These span approximately the nineteenth to twelfth centuries at [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] and the fourteenth to the ninth/sixth at Sabir.

Equally as spectacular are the findings of the largely German team working at the [TEXT NOT REPRODUCIBLE IN ASCII] temple in the Sabaean capital Marib. Detailed...