|
Al Jawf:
Most of this governorate lies in the Jouf
Valley, and its center lies 140 km away from Sana誕, the capital of
Yemen. The land of this governorate is one of the most fertile lands
in Yemen where the water of Al-Khaird Valley, one of the most
important valleys, flow into the Lands of al-Jouf. In Ancient Yemen,
this area was known as Jouf of Ma段neans.
The Maineans established in this area one
of the Ancient Yemeni Kingdoms, and built their cities and temples
during the second half of the first millennium B.C. The trade played a
great role in the foundation of the Mai地ean Kingdom by controlling
and managing a great part of old Incense Road, which used to start
from Qana port on the Arabian Sea across many cities and stations as
far as Gaza port on the Mediterranean Sea.
The Kingdom of Mai地 was in constant
conflict against the adjacent old Yemeni sovereignties, such as Saba誕
Qataban, and Hadhramout.
The wealth of the ancient sovereignties
was the one of specify their authority and control over Incense Road.
Al-Jouf Province, today is the richest of the Yemeni regions with
regard to ancient, historical and touristical sites, the most
prominent of which are:
Salamat Village:
This is located on the left side of the
road, ten km to the south of Hazm al-Jouf (center of the province), at
the very start of the road that leads to the upper Jouf. This village
is characterized by distinct architectural techniques; the houses
consist of many circular stories, the material used in building was
straw mixed with mud (adobe) adorned with gypseous belts and stripes.
This village is considered to be one of the most beautiful villages,
which represent the architectural style of the northeastern region.
Ma段n (Qarnaw):
This is the capital of the kingdom of
Ma段n sovereignty lying 7.5 km to the east of Al-Hazm city, the
capital of the province. It was built over an earth hill, which is 15
m higher than the ground level. It is rectangular in shape, 400 m long
from east to west and 250 m wide.
The city has two gates, an eastern and a
western one (most probably one for entry and the other for exit). It
was surrounded with a 15m high fence with gaps used for surveillance
and arrow shooting. The most important features of the city is the
temple. The ruins of the temple are still standing outside the fence
from the eastern side. The city had been inhabited up to the twelfth
century but now is deserted and is no more than ruins.
The most important of the ancient sites
in which excavations have been carried out is Athtar Temple, which was
discovered by French Expedition in 1980, which dug up the temple
jointly with the Archaeology Authority.
This temple lies 700 m to the east of the
site of the ancient Nashan al-Sawda City, which is the best preserved
of the ancient cities. The temple is 15.50 m long and 14.10 m wide. It
consists of a wall, a hall, and courtyard encircled with porticos.
It has a magnificent gate and a corridor
surrounded with stone seats, burnished monuments, two galleries, and
benches. It is partially roofed with walls and columns ornamented with
groove decorations, which represent snakes, plants ostriches, and
featured female personalities and because of these drawings, the
temple is known among the natives as Banat Aad Temple.
Ancient Sites:
There are many ancient sites of Ma地i
cities such as al-Haidha (Nishq), al-Swada (Nashan), Kamna, Harem, (Kharbat
Hamakan). Moreover there are many ancient sites which are believed to
have been rest stations for the caravans along Incense Road, among
which, for instance are in Al-Zughna, al-Qara, and Al-Awdh.
Hot
Sprigs:
In al-Jouf province, there are several hot springs, most
important of which are, the Upper Waghira and the Lower Waghira.
UP |
