Editor: Jérémie Schiettecatte
Ancient name | Tlfm ḏt-Ḥwkm |
Country | Yemen |
Geographical area | Wādī Shirjān |
Governorate | al-Bayḍāʾ |
Kingdom | Ḥimyar |
Coordinates | Latitude: 13° 58' 30.432" Longitude: 45° 47' 58.056" |
Coordinates accuracy | certain |
Type of site | Hydraulic structure |
Tribe | Tribe: Mḍḥym Lineage: Ṯʿlbm w-Ṣwbn Lineage: Klʿn w-Ṯʿlbm |
Deities | ʿm ḏ-Ẓwrm |
Structures | Large hydraulic structure (ex. dam) Terrace cultivation Rock inscriptions |
Language | Sabaic |
Location and toponomy | Al-Ḥât is located 24 km E of al-Bayḍâʾ and 12 km NW of Lawdar, in the wâdî am-Thaffa, a tributary of the wâdî Shirjân. The ancient dam is located in a narrow valley extensively cultivated in terraces near the village of al-Ḥât. |
History of research | 2004: visit by the Mission Qatabân (French archaeological mission in the ancient kingdom of Qatabân, dir. Ch. Robin). |
General description | A small dam crosses a narrow valley. The structure is accompanied by a foundation inscription (MQ-am-Ḥât 1) which designates it as a mʾḏnt (retention dam). The structure is called Tlfm. It was built by members of banû Ṯʿlbm and Ṣwbn on behalf of their master, the prince Frʿn of the family of Ḏrnḥ and Hṣbḥ, leader of the tribe of Maḍḥâ. |
Chronology | The inscription MQ-am-Ḥât 1 dates the dam to the year 301 of the Maḍḥâ era, i.e. 268 AD (+-11 years). |
Epigraphs
in CSAI Objects in CSAI |
Robin and Dridi 2004: 89 | Robin, Christian J. and Dridi, Hédi 2004. Deux barrages du Yémen antique. Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres: 67-121. |