Sirwah
صرواح | |
 View of Ṣirwāḥ | |
  Shown within Yemen | |
| Location | Ma'rib Governorate, Yemen |
|---|---|
| Type | Settlement |
| Site notes | |
| Condition | In ruins |
Ṣirwāḥ (Arabic صرواح Ṣirwāḥ) was, after Ma'rib, the most important economical and political center of the Kingdom of Saba at the beginning of the 1st century BC, on the Arabian Peninsula. Ṣirwāḥ was surrounded by a fortified wall. The city layout inside the oasis included a number of large buildings.
The ruins of Ṣirwāḥ are located 40 km west of Ma'rib. The town was well protected by its position in the mountains was well protected, but at the same time put limits on its development. As a result, Ṣirwāḥ quickly lost its position as a capital, which was taken over by Ma’rib, which was in an important economical center since it was located on the incense route. The town nevertheless remained an important centre for the Sabaeans, as shown by the large number of temple buildings. It was also the site chosen by King Yada'il Dharih I. to build an important temple to Almaqah about the year 700 BC.
Archaeology
Archaeologists from the German Archaeological Institute have since 2005 discovered and salvaged an inscription from the Sabaean Kingdom that is over seven meters long. This seven tonne heavy block of stone was a standing feature of the sanctuary of Almaqah and had fallen from its plinth during an earthquake. The epigraphist Norbert Nebes from the University of Jena described the inscription as the most important one so far from the period of the first century BC. The inscription gives an account of the battles of a Sabaean, carried out against his immediate neighbors in the south-east and north of Yemen.
At the moment the Almaqah Temple is being restored. During these works a further temple was discovered dating back to the 7th century BC. This sanctuary has a monumental entrance, decorated with pillars. It contains a number of rooms, built out of wood and stone, the layout is unique for Yemen in this period.
A number of German excavations are taking place at the moment in Ṣirwāḥ, which it is hoped will further our knowledge about the early days of the Sabaean Kingdom.