Long River is Discovered Between  Hadramout and Al-Jawf [Archives:2000/13/Interview]

A French Researcher, Marie Louise who is working in National Center of Scientific Researcher in Paris, and a specialist of Oriental Prehistory did many surveys in the Ramlat es-Sabatayn. She started her discoveries in 1983. She discovered ancient lake and ancient river between Hadramout and Al-Jawf and the ancient occupations in this area which dates back to the Paleolithic times, may be more than 50000- years old. I have studied in Qatar for six seasons between 1976 and 1982 and have published a book captioned “Prehistory to Qatar in 1988” Yemen Times hosted this lady and conducted the following interview:
Q: Could you please tell us some background about your discoveries in Yemen?
A: I have been here in Yemen for a long time, since 1983 to conduct a survey about the Ramlat as-Sabatayn. I discovered the oldest occupation in this area, We also studied the photograph of Ramlat as- Sabatayn. We discovered after a long time the ancient lake and the ancient river. They are 8000-years old. One river was between Al-Jawof and Hadramout across the desert towards the Indian ocean. Now Jawf is one valley and Hadramout is another one, but long time ago it was only one river, and the center is Ramlat es- Sabatayn. The lake existed approximately 7000-years ago. I also found a fire place, and we could date the ashes up to 7000-years ago. The primary study report concerning the lithic tools shows grinding stones, mortars, stone vessels, projectile points, arrow-heads like in Rub’el-Khali. Several fireplaces discovered in the site date back to (carbone 14) about 8000/7000 years ago as the result of a physical method. In addition, we found paintings of Baraqish as well.
Q: Is there water in this river?
A: Yes, but the water is not deep because there was an ancient lake and river. This lake has eventually been filled to hundreds before.
Q: Would you please tell us about the kinds of stones you found in Yemen?
A: Yemen has different varieties of stones like agate, flint, volcanic stones, black and light like glass and green stones.
Q: Regarding the desert of Shabwa, do you think that water still exists there?
A: Yes, water still exists there. It is under the ground, but not so deep.
Q: Is there anyone who helped you during the continuous visits?
A: Yes, my colleague gave me all of the stone tools because my colleague was a specialist of Islamic ties, but when she made a survey, she discovered a precious stone and a lot of stone tools; she gave me these tools because it is difficult to find precious stones.
Q: What are the difficulties that you face during your research in Yemen?
A: The difficulties are based on finding precious sights because these sights are on the surface, and it is difficult to date that because on the surface they seem at the same level, but if you find the shelter tools, you have the chance to find aches.
Q: What is the most important discovery you have found here in Yemen?
A: As I mentioned before, we discovered an ancient lake and the ancient river in al-Jawf- Hadramout. The river in al-jawf- hadramout was one which existed a long time ago, not like the two now, and also there was an ancient lake in Sadda. This is very important for me because Yemen is an ancient country. Now it is a desert in the central area.
Q: Do you have other plans in Yemen?
A: No, but my research will be along Hadramout, to search along the river there. I am going to search how the river was there. It is very difficult work, so I will spend, may be, three weeks. We will live there like nomads, without comfort.
Q: Would you like to add any other comments?
A: Nothing, but I think that it was very important for me to discover that part of Yemen.

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