Geography and Human Settlements in Ancient Southern Arabia

Abstract

The use of remote sensing in archaeological research leads to a better understanding of the geography of ancient and modern South Arabia. The five main regions are discussed in relation to the conditions for settlement and farming. A case study from the heartland of the Kingdom of Awsān indicates in the lower part of Wādī Marha beginning of irrigation in the second half of the third millenium and an end already in the first half of the first millenium BC. The huge tell of Haǧar Yahirr seems to have been destroyed at the same time, whereas in the upper part of the wadi irrigation and settlements continue till the first centuries AD. On aerial pictures a dozen ancient settlements could be detected and located. Consequently, it may be suggested that Haǧar Yahirr is the site of the capital city of Awsān. The capitals of the ancient South Arabian kingdoms were all located along the most frequented camel route, the incense road. A comparison of the climatic conditions and the irrigation agriculture of Arabia Felix and the Fertile Crescent shows the difficulties of the transfer of know‐how between these two fertile and rich regions on the Arabian Peninsula.

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