Zafar: The neglected historical monument of Himyarite Kingdom By: Mahmoud Assamiee

SANA'A, August 18 (Saba)-Zafar, the historical city known as the ancient capital of Himyarite Kingdom is located on the top of Raidan Mountain in Assadah district, Ibb governorate.

The area has witnessed the establishment of the Himyarite Kingdom by King Dhu
Raidan in 115 BC and lasted for nearly 650 years.
As the strongest kingdom in the Arabian Peninsula at that time, Himyaris extended
their role to the south and the east. They invaded Hahramout kingdom in the south
east
of Yemen with Shabwa as their capital.
Then they continued their incursion to the east where Saba Kingdom was dominating
the area, Mareb was the capital. They unified with the Sheba Kingdom and formed the
"Kingdom
of Sheba and Thu Raidan" under the role of Himyrite King Shorahbil Bin Yafor Abu
Karb Asa'ad and named Zafar as the capital of the united kingdom.
Choosing Zafar as the capital was based on wise decision as the area was
controlling the trade road extended from the south of Yemen to Mecca and to Asham
area (area includes
countries of Palastinem, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.) Zafar also is considered the
highest area in the Southern Arabian Peninsula with 2700 meters high of sea level.
This
made it a strategic location to build military castles. It is surrounded by vast and
fertile valleys rich in water comes from surrounding dams and waterfalls.
The kingdom economy was based on trade and agriculture. Incense, frankincense and
medical products like myrrh were the famous exports of the Kingdom to the east and
west.
For the importance of Zafar, it was mentioned in many Arab and foreign historical
references. It was mentioned in Greece references which gave it the name "Zafar".
Historical monuments What is remained from the capital is ruins of the castles,
remains of a palace, temple, long tunnel, cemetery and dams.
The palace As the capital to the Kingdom of Sheba and Thu Raidan, kings constructed
high palaces like Raidan Palace, the famous one. The palace was surrounded by seven
fences
as it was the stronghold of the leadership.
What remain of the palace are only seven meters, curved stones in the top of the
mountain and a hole closed with amazing stone shines like gold if a visitor sees it
from
a distance.
The temple Under Raidan Palace and from the south east, there is a ruin of a
temple. This temple was discovered only three years ago. The area of the temple is
estimated
at 170 square meters.
The floor of the temple is paved with flagstones. What is remained from the temple
is only two walls, eastern and northern walls. The eastern wall is 1 meter high and
around
ten meters long. While the northern wall is two meters high and around seven meters
long.
In the northern wall, there is a row of stones with inscriptions for heads of
animals like ox and above this row, there is another row, of stones forming grapes
tree.
In the middle of the northern wall, a shape of man with a stick in its hand was
shaped in big stone. The shape was curved on the same level of the row of stones of
the wall.
It is covered with a frame from glass and wood.
There was a roof of metal was put on the temple. In front of the temple, there is a
dog tied to a corner of small room, it seems that it is built to the guard of the
temple.
Cemetery of Himyaris In the opposite area of Zafar, there are two mountains,
Al-Asabi and Al-Irr. They were used as a cemetery to Himayris. They are still known
in the area
as tombs of Himyaris. These tombs are exposed to digging by those who search for
antiquities as there is not enough protection.
Long Tunnels Under Raidan Mountain, there is still deep tunnel thought to be a long
market linking the mountain with the city. It contains shops and stores curved in
rocks.
Under the Palace, there is deep water pool or water store used to supply the palace
with water.
Zafar Museum Zafar Museum was established in 1978. It is located in the entrance of
Zafar village. In the museum, there are 300 antique pieces collected by locals.
The stones contain inscriptions of face-like shapes, drawing of birds and animals
and calligraphies. The museum also contains old coins and adorning things.
There are 5000 antique pieces are kept also in a nearby warehouse.
According to Tawfiq Sa'ad Al-Anabi, the guardian of the historical places in Zafar,
these antique are exposed to destruction as the museum and the warehouse are
vulnerable
to collapse.
He said that concerned bodies do not pay attention to the whole area. People are
digging for antiques and sell them to antique sellers as they do not get rewards
from concerned
bodies.
According to him, there is no budget for the museum from concerned bodies to take
care of and that the director of the museum, who is also the director of Assada
historical
places, is always absent and does not take care of the museum.
"We buy even the locks of the doors from our own pockets," said Ali Al-Zabidi, the
guardian of Zafar Museum. The museum and the area are protected by these two
persons,
Al-Anabi and Al-Zabidi. They receive the visitors, open the museum to them and show
them every thing in the area.
According to Al-Anabi, there is one German researcher and professor who is taking
care of the museum. He has exerted great efforts to collect the museums belongings.
Every
year he comes to visit the museum and inspects it.
The historical area is not well protected Although the whole village and the nearby
places announced by the General Authority for Preserving Antiquities as protected
area,
historical places are exposed to ruin and looting.
According to Tawfiq Al-Anabi, the guard of the historical places, people are
digging for antiquities in Himayrite tombs and sell their findings to antiquities
traders.
He said the whole area lacks guards and that only he and his sons, besides the dog
are guarding the area. He added that people from inside and outside the area are
digging
for antiquities in every part of the supposed protected places in the absences of
tough protection from concerned bodies.