Largest Ever Ancient Temple Discovered In Shabwa (Yemen)

The Yemen Observer ^ | 1-21-2006

[blam]

Largest Ever Ancient Temple Discovered in Shabwa

By Observer Staff
Jan 21, 2006 - Vol.IX Issue 02

SANA’A- Archeologists in Shabwa governorate have discovered what is said to be the biggest temple ever discovered in the Arabian Peninsula, dating back to the 5th Century BC.

The Italian archeological expedition, who have been digging in the ancient Royal Palace in Tamna’a city, say it is one of the oldest and most extensive temples ever discovered in the region. They found the temple on their recent dig, which lasted for 25 days.

Khyran Mohsen Al-Zubairi, the Director of Archeology in Shabwa, told the Al-Thawrah daily newspaper that the Italian archeologists said it was believed to be the largest temple ever found in the Arabian Peninsula. The temple is 42 meters in length and 35 meters wide. He added that the work was continuing to clear all the sand that still covered the site. However he said that the Italian archeologist had reached an initial conclusion that a temple of such size could have been a Royal Palace for on Qatban state king.

The temple contains nine foundations at the entrance to its yard, with 16 platforms made of granite. Archeological experts said that several religious rituals were practiced in the temple to worship the pagan God they believed in at that time. Experts estimate that there could be as many as 60 temples in Tamna’a alone.

Al-Zubairi added in a statement to the 26September website that digging will continue in the eastern section of the temple complex to find more information out about the site. He said the archeologists also hoped to see if further secrets could be revealed in the surrounding buildings.

Al-Zubairi said that an American expedition had worked on the site in 1951, as had a later French expedition. Archeological surveys in the governorate have identified 74 archeological sites so far, he added.

Copyright (c) 2004 - 2005 Yemen Observer Newspaper

[blam]

No pictures.

[blam]

GGG Ping.

[DoughtyOne]

Thanks. Very cool...

[Colorado Doug]

Do you ever wonder when just about every large structure ever dug up is proclaimed to have been a temple? Every statue of great antiquity, some pagan deity? I wonder what will be said when, oh, say 5000 years from now the dig up a domed football stadium with an NFL player doll. Will it be declared a former place of worship?

Well, on the other hand, I guess they wouldn't be entirely wrong.

[CurlyDave]

I wonder why the religion of peace has not eradicated all traces of previous religions?

Find an ancient temple -- send in the backhoes.

[DoughtyOne]

Yes that is a point to ponder. And yes that football stadium may suffer the same fate. LOL

Perhaps they've found alters or something that lends credence to the claim.

What are folks in the future going think of those goal-posts.?

[mtbopfuyn]

I wonder what will be said when, oh, say 5000 years from now the dig up a domed football stadium with an NFL player doll.

My thoughts exactly. Readers' Digest did a story on that very thing back in the '70s (?). There was a "temple" discovered in the future with a mummy reclining on a large rectangle worshiping a square box on a chest. In the other room another body was found sacrificed in a hollowed out structure with a drain to let out the blood or some such. It turned out the "temple" was a hotel room and bath.

[ApplegateRanch]

Pictures are evil. MadMo said so.

Or, as Lawrence put it, "Damascus, no pictures!"

[ApplegateRanch]

I wonder what will be said when, oh, say 5000 years from now the dig up a domed football stadium with an NFL player doll. Will it be declared a former place of worship?

What else is it? A Jockolotorium, where Ejockulators gather to practice Jockolatry, while their demigods vie for Top-Jock, and a chance at Ascent and immortality as a full member of the Pantheon.

[Verginius Rufus]

David MacAulay's book The Motel of the Mysteries (1988) has archaeologists in the year 4022 trying to make sense of artifacts they have discovered that date to the 20th century...spoofing how present-day archaeologists make guesses about things they uncover from 3000 or 4000 years ago. Perhaps The Reader's Digest condensed the book for one of their articles.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks Blam.

To all -- Nothing in the story to do with the Queen of Sheba. Please ping me to other topics which are appropriate for the GGG list. Thanks.

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[wildbill]

Nah, they'll claim it was a site for gladitorial contests where men fought to the death for the pleasure of the mob.

Hmmm.

[Dustbunny]

Hope the eventually have pictures.