CSAI

Corpus of South Arabian Inscriptions


Arbach and Audouin 2004: 56, fig. 32; Arbach and Schiettecatte 2006: pl. 3/7

DEPOSIT INFORMATION

DepositṢanʿāʾ, The National Museum

SUPPORT INFORMATION

Support typeInscription on architectural structure » Pillar
MaterialStone
Measuresh. 106, w. 70, th. 50
Decoration
TypeFramework » With geometric elements
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » Zigzag lines
Decoration
TypeFramework » With abstract-figurative elements
Figurative subjectAnimal » Ibex
      Part of animal bodyComplete figure
      Animal gestureRecumbent
      ViewIn profile
Figurative subjectMonogram
      Resolved monogramYhzḥ Rdʿn
Decoration
TypeScene » Ritual
Figurative subjectAnimal » Horned animal
      Part of animal bodyHead
      ViewFrontal
Figurative subjectGeometric motif » Circular elements
Figurative subjectHuman figure
      GenderWoman
      Part of human bodyComplete figure
      Human gestureStanding
      Human clothes and attributesLong skirt, Bodice crossed on the chest
      Human jewelleryNecklace
      Human weaponSpear, Curved stick
      ViewFrontal
Figurative subjectAnimal » Ostrich
      Part of animal bodyComplete figure
      Animal gestureRecumbent
      ViewIn profile
Figurative subjectWeapon » Spearheads
Notes on support and decorationsThree fragments belonging to the same decorated pillar. The field is occupied by different friezes in low relief framed by zigzag lines and recumbent ibexes, specular and in profile. From the top: lower part of an ostriches frieze (the legs are recognizable); series of horned animal heads; double row of circular elements; 5 female figures standing on pedestals decorated with wavy lines; two-lines inscription; ostriches; spearheads. The registers are divided by wavy lines placed horizontally. The women are depicted in the same position but the two placed on the left and the one in the middle have a long spear in the right hand and a curved object in the left hand; the two placed on the right have a long spear in the left hand and a curved object in the right. They wear a long skirt with geometric motifs and a bodice crossed on the chest. The ostriches are moving towards the centre of the representation from opposite positions: two of them join themselves through the muzzles and two legs which are hidden below the feathering of the animal placed on the opposite. Note: see al-Jawf 04.5 A-B. In the framework with ibexes, monogram made of two letters (y and h - probably the monogram of Yhzḥ Rdʿn) with a horizontal element at the base on which stays a horned animal. This kind of decorated monogram is attested here for the first time.

ORIGIN AND PROVENANCE

Origin
Modern siteKamna
Ancient siteKmnhw
Geographical areaJawf - Wādī Madhab
CountryYemen
Archaeological contextReligious context: Temple of Banāt ʿĀd
Link to site record

EPIGRAPHS

Titleal-Jawf 04.6
LanguageAncient South Arabian » Minaic » Central Minaic
Link to epigraph record