Architectural decorations from the private buildings in the Market Square at Tamn

Abstract

The architectural decorations in pre‐Islamic Yemen feature a wide and heterogeneous range of materials. Their many functions cover different fields: domestic, religious, funeral architecture, grave goods (particularly censers and furnishings) and, last but not least, epigraphs. Thus the study of this class of materials requires a two‐fold approach: on the one hand to identify and understand the various ornamental motifs in themselves; on the other to study which types of decorative motifs were applied in various circumstances, and hence what it is that links them to each other and to the structure they adorn. This work aims to provide a foundation for a thorough study of the decorative motifs on stonework in various contexts. We begin by defining the use of architectural decorations in the domestic sphere. The archaeological context of the Market Square at Tamna‘ is particularly suitable, in view of the number of houses brought to light, the amount of related materials found and, above all, because it represents a coherent urban context over a specific period of time.

South Arabian inscriptions from domestic buildings from Tamnaʿ and the archaeological evidence

“… Decorative elements. The excavation of the houses standing round the ‘Market Square’ in Tamnaʿ has brought to light a vast range of decorative features in stone (Loreto 2008: 22–47). The terms ʿṣbyn (sculptures) and ʾʿmdm (columns) are easily identified.…”