Shabwah: Town of ancient monuments [Archives:2005/886/Last Page]
COMPILED BY YASSER AL-MAYASI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
AND ESHRAQ AL-BODIGI
FOR YEMEN TIMES
Shabwah was once the capital of Hadhramout State, and a very important commercial location for the Shebaen kingdom during the first century BC. Its prosperity raised more and more due to science and Arabic gum trade. These were valuable products known during the civilization of the ancient Yemeni world. Again, it was partially attributed to the activities of the capital's port, known as “Qana” which was one of the main centers for collection and transiting of these transactions at that time. The product of salt was known to be extracted from a mountain situated in the region.
Today local traders still extract the salt from that same mountain. The province is today one of the petroleum locations in the country; many international firms exploring crude oil and are currently engaged in this industry through contracts and agreements signed mutually between each of them and the Government of Yemen.
Important historical sites in Shabwa
Ataq
The capital of Shabwa governate, Ataq, is situated 458 km southeast of Sana'a. An asphalt road links the two cities via Marib, Harib, Baihan, Ridhab and Ataq.
Ataq is a modern city. It has a museum with a valuable collection of antiquities from different areas of Shabwa, especially from the ancient city of Shabwa, the capital of the ancient kingdom of Hadhramout. There are relics from the archaeological sites of the ancient Qataban and Aosan kingdom also in the museum.
Baihan
Bihan is located to the northwest of Ataq. It is a beautiful city with houses built of adobe blocks and an architectural style that is prevalent in the eastern part of Yemen. It stretches from Saadah, passing by Al-Jawf and Marib, and southwards to the coasts of the Arabian Sea. This city also has a museum containing a good variety of examples from the Qataban archaeological sites, which are near to Baihan.
Important archaeological and historical attractions
Tamna'a (Capital of Qataban)
The city of Tamna'a is one left bank of Wadi Baihan at the fringes of the desert plain. The capital of the ancient kingdom of Qataban was originally 30 km from the city, which flourished during the 4th century BC. It was an important station on the ancient incense road and was a collection point for taxes from the caravans in return for protection.
The incense caravans, after setting out from Tamna'a had to travel a distance of 1487.5 Miles (2.380 km), to reach its final destination: Gaza on the Mediterranean coast. By then, the caravan would have passed through 65 stations where the camels could rest.
The American Anthropological Institute's expedition carried out excavation work at Tamna'a Hajar Bin Hameed and Haid Bin Aqeel in 1951.
These excavations showed that Tamna'a was a prosperous city with gold, a rich heritage, and temples of the goddess. Some of the important antiquities that were found were two bronze lions, one of them carrying a child in the image of Cupid, the son of Venus, goddess of love.
Hajar Bin Hameed
Hajar Bin Hameed is one of the Archaeological Qatabanite Towns 15 km away to the south of Tamna'a on an oval hill, lying at a height of 70 feet from the surface of the valley at the bifurcation of the ancient routes. It is smaller than the city of Tamna'a.
Mablakah Route
The Qatabanites were in control and domination of the Incense/Myrrh Route, which was passing through the lands and Stations of Qataban. The Qatabanines carved in stone a mountainous route linking Baihan Valley with Hareeb Valley through Mablaqah Mount, which is 1000 feet (380 m) above sea level. The length of the route was 3 miles (4.8 km) in dangerous slopes and the width of the route amounted from 12 to15 feet, paved with stones and protected at the sides by walls. Hence, the Qatabines dominated and controlled the route as well as prevented smuggling. The mountainous strait of Mablaqah was a conjunction point of many routes and paths of Myrrh.
Ancient features of Shabwa are the ruins of the Royal Palace to the east, parts of the city wall around the northern gate and ruins of ancient temples.
Maifa'a
Maifa'a lies on the banks of Wadi Maifa'a, on the side of the asphalt road linking Shabwa with Hadhramout, nearby the village of Azzan. Mafia's is believed to have preceded Shabwa as the capital of ancient Hadhramout.
Maifa'a had a stonewall with a number of towers, which show the significance of the city in ancient Hadhramout. It had a number of temples, which were destroyed around the 4th century AD. Today the city is no more than ruins, but its ruins show signs of a grate and glorious past.
Habban and Azzan
Habban and Azzan are the most beautiful villages in Shabwa governorate. There is no asphalt road used by tourists who come from Abyan and Ataq to Mukallah in Hadhramout. Both villages have beautiful high structured houses built of adobe. The village of Azzan is also surrounded by rows of palm trees.
Bir Ali (Ancient port of Qana)
This area consists of a number of beautiful sandy beaches, some of the most attractive in Yemen. It is a coastal village and finishing port on the edge of the Gulf 120 km from Mukallah and 140 km from Ataq. From a volcanic hill called Husn Al-Ghurab on the other side of the Gulf,cone can view the southwestern entrance of the Gulf. It is the location of the ancient port of Qana, which was once the main port of the Yemenite Dynasty of Hadhramout, from which Myrrh, Incense and Ollibanum were exported, either by sea or via the historical Ollibanum Route on land.
The port of Qana was in close relations with Dhofar of Oman and coasts of India and Somalia. The volcanic hill contains ruins of a control tower, which was linked to the port and the water reservoirs. There are relics at the foot of the original location of the city of Qana.
There are many Sulfur springs in Shabwa governorate, such as nearby Rudhoum Baths, which are considered the largest of such springs in Yemen.
Tourist roads in Shabwa
Many tourist roads pass through various parts of Shabwa, namely desert roads between Shabwa and Marib. It transverse desert and valley, passing by beautiful villages, among others the villages of Sa'eed, Yashbum and Rawdah These are important handicraft centers for manufacturing textiles. There is also a third route near the beautiful beaches of Bir Ali and Balhaf.
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