al-ʿAmāyid / ʿArsh Bilqīs
Editor: Jérémie Schiettecatte; Alessio Agostini
Barān Temple.
Fontaine and Arbach 2006: fig. 58
Fontaine and Arbach 2006: fig. 58
- Barān Temple.
Fontaine and Arbach 2006: fig. 58 - Barān Temple after restoration.
Catalogue 2000: 170
Image free from copyright - Barān Temple, reconstruction.
Catalogue 2000: 172
Image free from copyright - Barān Temple, false window panel.
Catalogue 2000: no. 218
Image free from copyright - Barān Temple, decorated architectonic frieze.
Catalogue 2000: no. 217
Image free from copyright
SITE INFORMATION
| Ancient name | Brʾn |
| Country | Yemen |
| Geographical area | Maʾrib |
| Governorate | Maʾrib |
| Kingdom | Saba Himyar |
| Coordinates | Latitude: 15° 24' 11.3" Longitude: 45° 20' 34.3" |
| Coordinates accuracy | certain |
| Type of site | Religious area |
| Tribe | Tribe: Bklm rbʿn ḏ-Rydt Tribe: ḏ-Ṭrqy Tribe: Nhm Lineage: Fḍḥm Lineage: Gdnm Lineage: Ḥḏmt Lineage: Ḥzfrm Lineage: Ḫḏwt Lineage: Mḥylm Lineage: Mwḍʿm Lineage: S¹ʾrn Lineage: S¹ḥr Lineage: S³mkm |
| Deities | ʾlmqh ʾlmqh bʿl Brʾn ʾlmqh bʿl Ms¹kt w-Yṯw Brʾn ʿṯtr ḏt-Ḥmym |
| Structures | Workshop Light hydraulic structure (ex. canal, well) Wells, cisterns Large temple Rock inscriptions |
| Language | Sabaic |
| General description | [By A. Agostini] This sanctuary lays on the SW from the Old Town. The complex is formed by several structures, in the whole it measures 62 x 75 m, while the main building was standing on a big platform, measuring 19.5 x 27.5 m (4 m high). A large paved courtyard is in front of it (36.5 x 31.5 m) and this is framed by a big gallery on three of its sides (each pillar measures 4 m), this lateral band is slightly raised up in respect to the court floor and big calcite-alabaster blocks are aligned along the wall and served as benches. Three accesses are through the court, and the main one was the western. Near to the centre of this area, a well has been cut and to which hydraulic devices have been connected for ablution rituals. A wide staircase is in centre of the NW side of the court, leading to a terrace on which the 6 pillared propylon gave access to the main shrine. Of these pillars, 5 are preserved in their original place and integrity (comprised the dentil decorated capitals) and, in view of their height (8.2 m), have been one of the most distinctive pre-Islamic monuments to have been seen throughout the times. Above the main building platform nothing remains of the shire's structure, because of destructions and pillaging. The basement allows however to reconstruct its original layout: again there is a court framed by a pillared portico, and a central isolated cella stood opposite to the entrance. A major destructions has been dated around the 1st century BC/AD, and the following reconstructions deeply changed this temple. In the last phase, 3rd or 4th century AD, the eastern and northern sides of the court were already been protected by a massive mud brick wall, to which bastions have been also added to the S and W corners. This large structure could now host also some service rooms, like ateliers and a kitchen. During this time, the main entrance to the court was moved from W to N, thus giving a bent-access to the complex. |
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NOTES
| Tribes attested are those of the dedicants |
RELATED SITES
| near Maʾrib (Mryb / Mrb) |
RELATED MATERIAL
| Epigraphs
in CSAI Objects in CSAI |