1 Wadi Hadramaut

Wadi Hadramaut Souvenir seller in the square of Shibam

2 Wadi Hadramaut

DESCRIPTION

HYDROGRAPHY AND VIABILITY SIQAYES

HISTORICAL SETTLEMENTS

ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS

RISKS

ABANDONMENT

CONCRETE AND ASPHALT

SAFEGUARD

PROTECTION AREAS

EXPLOITATION CONSERVATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

SUGGESTIONS FOR A PLAN OF EXPLOITATION OF THE CULTURAL HERITAGE Adjoining sheets of the cartography scale 1:100.000 (D-39-3…) and scale 1:25.000 (D-39-3-A-a…)

3 Wadi Hadramaut

4 Wadi Hadramaut

DESCRIPTION

HYDROGRAPHY AND VIABILITY Wadi Hadramaut1 (also traslated: Hadramawt, Hadhramawt, Hadhramout,

Hadramut, Hadhramout and Hadhramut), along its path from the West to the East, before turning into Wadi Masila, gathers 6 main affluents, so considered by

the project as they have been separately described:

Wadi Sar (from the North) Wadi ‘Adm (from the South)

Wadi Daw’an (from the South) Wadi Al’Ain (from the South) Wadi Bin ‘Ali (from the South)

Wadi ‘Amd (from the South) It also gathers many other affluents, mainly from the south:

Wadi Hainin (from the West) Wadi Na’am (from the West) Wadi Go’eima (from the North-East)

Wadi Tha’aleb (from the South) Wadi Tareba (from the South)

Wadi Bin Yamani (from the South) Wadi Hadhya (from the South) Wadi Nuqub (from the South)

Wadi Al Hariya (from the South)

One approaches wadi Hadramaut from the west, on the road that goes from

Sana’a to Ma’rib. From the sea, one can come by wadi Masila, by wadi ‘Adm or by wadi Daw'an. Near Maduda, the siqaya n.33 marks the beginning of the trail to

the north. Wadi Hadramaut can be crossed on a completely asphalted road. Sleeping

facilities are available mainly in the central area (Say’un, Al Hauta, Shibam) and there are food stands in many places, offering international type cuisine as well

as local food.

HISTORICAL SETTLEMENTS The wadi is currently evenly quite populated, from East to West. The main towns

are SHIBAM and SAIUN; along the principal wadi and its tributaries, there are about 149 villages, some are of relevant dimension, for a total sum of about 6.670 buildings (1975)5.

1 “Tourist map”. Scale 1: 1.250.000 – year 2000. Map produced and published by IGN France

5 Wadi Hadramaut

WADI MAIN AND TRIBUTARIES INHABITED CENTER

IDIOMS AND OTHER

FORMS

MAP’S SHEET

Hadramaut - SHIBAM D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Yathma SAIUN D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Maryama D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Al Hauta D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut Tareba Suheil al Qabli D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut - Ard as Sagir D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Husn al Muneibari D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Salila D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Al Hariya D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Maduda D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Makan Ga'far Umm Badr D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ard Al Ba Hartha D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Haddama D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Buheira D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Hawi D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Go'eima Makan Al Ali (Al Qofl) D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Go'eima Suheil Go'eima D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Na'am Al Mahgar D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

Taris D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Husn Al `Awanez D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Husn Al Mahri D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Husn Al Fas D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Husn Bin Aun D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Husn Ba Matina D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut Madar Bor E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut - Al Ghurfa D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ba Bakr D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Gheil D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Qara D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Na'am Al Qarya D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut Na'am /Soheiba

Soheiba D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut - Al Qara D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut Na'am Sarig D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut - Yuya D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut Tareba Harad D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Wadi Ben Salman D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Ghanima D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Soheil Mohsen D-39-2-B-b

6 Wadi Hadramaut

Hadramaut Tareba Tareba D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Diyar Al Motraf D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Diyar Al Kartib D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Tareba Shitah D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut - Sherma D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut - Al 'Ard D-39-2-B-b

Hadramaut Madar Shaqih E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut Madar Al 'Ard E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut Madar Bir Al Madini E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut Madar Al Qafl E-39-134-D-d

Hadramaut Madar Suheil Abd Allah E-39-134-D-d

Hadramaut Madar Ar Raheiya E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut Madar Ar Rieida E-39-134-D-c

Hadramaut - AL QATN D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Huwaila D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut Go'eima /Ad Dayra

Al Aqiqa E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Qadfart Al Masamir E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Tukheri E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima / Lasaf

Lasaf E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Al Qattar E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Makan Al Husn E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima / Matareh

Matareh E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Husi E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Shary Ahl Qahum E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Gohuri E-39-135

Hadramaut Go'eima Azh Zhahira D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ghanima D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut - Al Masna'a D-39-2-A-a

Hadramaut - Husn Al Madashina D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Ad Darish D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Barqi D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Mar'i D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ba 'Aira D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ba Amer D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Dhi Sobah D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Qariu D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut Yab Husn Salama D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut - Al Faghwa D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut Yab Al Wuyaib D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut - Al Masila (Dyar Al Hamud) D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Ba Raf'a D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut - Suheil Shibam D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Khamur D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Al 'Aqad D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Diyar Ar Rak D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Khashamer D-39-2-A-c

7 Wadi Hadramaut

Hadramaut - Sahat Al Hazeb D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - 'Oqran D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Hadhya D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Nuqub Al Masna'a D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Nuqub Bin Naser D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Hadhya Lasraba D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Hadhya Al Ard D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Hadhya Al Kharaba D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Hadhya Al 'Aqda D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut Hadhya Al Kut D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Husn Al Ahmed D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Al 'Anin D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut Hadhya Husn Al Hamzhan D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut Hadhya Hautat An Nur D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Sahat al Gahaura D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Sahat Al 'Ali al Hag D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Husn Az Zow'a D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Al Khaiyam D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Al Fort D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Kurus al Qa'ata D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Sahat al Hazharem D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Ard Al Rasam D-39-2-A-c

Hadramaut - Al Muraqqada D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Zhab'an D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Al Batina D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut Al Qeit Madhar D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut - Al Khodeid D-39-1-D-a

Hadramaut - Nasriya D-39-1-D-a

Hadramaut Menwab Ash Shkeilan D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut Harsa Al 'Aqida D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut Menwab Quseiba D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut Menwab Dhakariya D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut Al Qeit Al Fida D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut - 'Ard Al Habu' D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Qoseis D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Zukeik D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut Menwab Al Kharaba D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut - Wu'aila D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - 'Aniybeda D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Shi'b Al Nuheid D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut - Al Guwat Al Muhanna D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Hainin Shurug Hainin D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Hainin Hainin D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Menwab Al Bilad D-39-1-D-b

Hadramaut - Al Haten D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

Al Hemrat D-39-2-B-a

8 Wadi Hadramaut

Hadramaut Hainin Al Hogeila D-39-1-A-d

Hadramaut Hainin Al Hozeim D-39-1-A-d

Hadramaut Menwab Al Husn D-39-1-D-d

Hadramaut Hadhya Al Qeibr D-39-2-C-a

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

Al Qorein D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

Ar Rouda D-39-2-B-c

Hadramaut Menwab Ar Rowda D-39-1-D-d

Hadramaut - Ard al Huwei D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Hainin As Saila D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

At Tarha D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Ba Ruweid D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Bir Saleh D-39-1-B-d

Hadramaut - Diyar Al Mar'i D-39-2-A-b

Hadramaut - Finda D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Menwab Gahlan D-39-1-D-d

Hadramaut Bin Tha'aleb

Ghanima D-39-2-B-a

Hadramaut - Guwat Al Khanaq D-39-1-B-c

Hadramaut Hainin Hadbat Ash Sharman D-39-1-A-d

Hadramaut - Mureighat D-39-1-D-a

Hadramaut - Sahat An Nur D-39-2-A-d

Hadramaut - Suweid al Ma D-39-1-B-d

wadi HADRAMAUT 1975

0

50

100

150

200

250

300

350

400

0 50 100 150 200

villages n° 149

bu

ild

ing

s n

° 6

67

0

Serie1

9 Wadi Hadramaut

All the centers were visited and 125 villages and the small towns of SHIBAM,

SAIUN and AL QATN were catalogued, since considered to be of historic-artistic value.

INHABITED CENTER

NUMBER OF BUILDINGS IN

1975

CATALOGUE

historical

settlements

SHIBAM - H 2

SAIUN - S 3

Maryama 55 S 4

Al Hauta 67 H 5

Suheil al Qabli 75 H 7

Ard as Sagir 32 H 11

Husn al Muneibari 59 H 13

Salila 26 HP 14

Al Hariya 73 HP 15

Maduda 227 H 16

Makan Ga'far Umm Badr 72 S 18

Ard Al Ba Hartha 15 HP 19

Haddama 7 HP 20

Buheira 117 S 21

Al Hawi 47 HP 22

Makan Al Ali (Al Qofl) 18 H 23

Suheil Go'eima 80 H 24

Al Mahgar 36 HP 26

Taris 230 S 27

Husn Al `Awanez 44 H 28

Husn Al Mahri 13 HP 29

Husn Al Fas 42 H 30

Husn Bin Aun 28 H 31

Husn Ba Matina 5 H 32

Bor 115 S 33

Al Ghurfa 350 H 34

Ba Bakr 84 H 35

Al Gheil 20 H 36

Al Qara 43 S 37

Al Qarya 23 HP 38

Soheiba 5 HP 39

Al Qara 198 S 40

Sarig 23 HP 41

Yuya 33 HP 42

Harad 35 H 43

Wadi Ben Salman 68 HP 44

Ghanima 16 H 45

10 Wadi Hadramaut

Soheil Mohsen 117 H 46

Tareba 154 H 47

Diyar Al Motraf 27 HP 48

Diyar Al Kartib 25 HP 49

Shitah 15 HP 50

Sherma 83 H 51

Al 'Ard 14 HP 52

Shaqih 47 HP 53

Al 'Ard 25 HP 54

Bir Al Madini 25 H 55

Al Qafl 8 H 56

Suheil Abd Allah 114 H 57

Ar Raheiya 25 HP 58

Ar Rieida 27 HP 59

AL QATN - H 99

Huwaila 38 HP 125

Al Aqiqa 14 SP 127

Qadfart Al Masamir 37 HP 128

Tukheri 49 H 129

Lasaf 49 H 130

Al Qattar 20 H 131

Makan Al Husn 11 HP 132

Matareh 49 H 133

Husi 22 H 134

Shary Ahl Qahum 12 HP 135

Gohuri 65 H 136

Azh Zhahira 11 H 137

Ghanima 32 H 138

Al Masna'a 19 H 139

- - H 143

Husn Al Madashina 17 S 144

Ad Darish 20 H 169

Al Barqi 36 H 170

Al Mar'i 12 H 171

Ba 'Aira 18 H 172

Ba Amer 15 HP 173

Dhi Sobah 38 H 174

Qariu 35 H 175

Husn Salama 40 HP 176

Al Faghwa 10 HP 177

Al Wuyaib 40 HP 178

Al Masila (Dyar Al Hamud) 40 H 179

Ba Raf'a 34 H 184

Suheil Shibam 233 H 187

Khamur 32 H 188

Al 'Aqad 125 HP 190

Diyar Ar Rak 26 HP 191

Khashamer 128 H 192

11 Wadi Hadramaut

Sahat Al Hazeb 30 HP 193

'Oqran 45 H 194

Hadhya 62 H 195

Al Masna'a 16 HP 196

Bin Naser 20 HP 197

Lasraba 41 H 198

Al Ard 12 HP 199

Al Kharaba 32 H 200

Al 'Aqda 21 H 201

Al Kut 14 HP 202

Husn Al Ahmed 25 HP 203

Al 'Anin 218 HP 204

Husn Al Hamzhan 27 HP 205

Hautat An Nur - H 206

Sahat al Gahaura 82 H 207

Sahat Al 'Ali al Hag 60 H 208

Husn Az Zow'a 60 HP 209

Al Khaiyam 50 H 226

Al Fort 160 H 227

Kurus al Qa'ata 50 HP 228

Sahat al Hazharem 42 HP 229

Ard Al Rasam 15 H 240

Al Muraqqada 50 HP 241

Zhab'an 25 H 242

Al Batina 55 HP 243

Madhar 30 H 244

Al Khodeid 60 HP 245

Nasriya 22 HP 246

Ash Shkeilan 16 HP 247

Al 'Aqida 18 HP 248

Quseiba 10 HP 249

Dhakariya 6 HP 250

Al Fida 40 HP 251

'Ard Al Habu' 7 H 252

Qoseis 126 H 253

Zukeik 50 HP 254

Al Kharaba 17 HP 255

Wu'aila 26 HP 256

'Aniybeda 30 H 257

Shi'b Al Nuheid 22 H 258

Al Guwat Al Muhanna 30 H 259

Shurug Hainin 30 H 260

Hainin 194 S 261

Al Bilad 21 H 281

12 Wadi Hadramaut

SIQAYES The siqayes 3 are quite numerous. 60 have been registered, that once flanked the ancient caravan trails of the wadi, and many are still in decent condition.

Here practically all the typologies are represented: with wells, with a prayer area, with a drinking trough. Some have fallen into ruin, while others are still in use, having recently been connected to the reservoir (one of the loveliest – n. 26 – has

actually been transformed into a kind of barrad: perhaps this idea, if carried out in a non-destructive way, could be applied to many other siqaya). We feel, from

our analysis of the documentation that the remaining part is in good condition and can be saved from destruction by means of simple maintenance interventions. Following is a representative selection:

Siqaya n.2, with prayer area

Siqaya n.4

Siqaya n.5

Siqaya n.7, close to the enclosure

3 Arabic pl.: siqayat

13 Wadi Hadramaut

Siqaya n.8, with well

Siqaya n.18, in very bad conditions

Siqaya n.26, with electric cooler

Siqaya n.27

Siqaya n.28

14 Wadi Hadramaut

Siqaya n.29

Siqaya n.30

Siqaya n.33

Siqaya n.34, with well

Siqaya n.47

15 Wadi Hadramaut

Siqaya n.54

Siqaya n.61

Siqaya n.65, with well

Siqaya n.66

Siqaya n.68

16 Wadi Hadramaut

Siqaya n.72

Siqaya n.73, spoiled by a small cement building

Siqaya n.82

Siqaya n.96

Siqaya n.97

17 Wadi Hadramaut

Siqaya n.98, made of stones , one of the most ancient

Siqaya n.103

Siqaya n.105

Siqaya n.183

18 Wadi Hadramaut

Two complexes outside the populated centers were located and catalogued.

WADI

main and tributaries

LOCALITY

CATALOGUE

historical settlements

Hadramaut Husn Al 'Err HP0143

Hadramaut Husn al Muneibari HP0017

Husn Al 'Err

ANCIENT SETTLEMENTS

38 archaeological sites were catalogued

WADI

main and tributaries

LOCALITY

SITE TYPE

CATALOGUE archaeology

MAP’S

sheet

Go'eima LASAF TERRITORIAL CONTROL

POINT

A00036 E 39 134

Go'eima SUHEIL GO'EIMA FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

A00037 E 39 134

Go'eima SUHEIL GO'EIMA 2 SETTLEMENT A00039 E 39 134

Go'eima WADI ZHA'N MEGALITH A00041 E 39 134

Hadramaut QARAT AL'OR FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

A00009 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut TOMBS OF THE PROPHET

HANZHALA BIN SAFWAN

CEMETERY A00013 E 39 134

Hadramaut QARAT GUSHEYB FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

A00014 E 39 134 D d

Hadramaut QARAT AL-HABUZHI FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

A00015 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut AL MUTAIWAL UPRIGHT STONES IN

CIRCLE

A00016 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut YUYA 1 SETTLEMENT A00018 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut YUYA 2 MEGALITHS A00019 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut QARAT ABDEL 'AZIZ MEGALITH A00042 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut YUYA 3 RELIGIOUS A00043 D 39 2 A a

19 Wadi Hadramaut

SETTLEMENT

Hadramaut YUYA 4 MEGALITH A00044 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut AL QATN CAVES A00045 D 39 1 B d

Hadramaut RAVINE AS SARAB RELIGIOUS

SETTLEMENT

A00046 D 39 1 D b

Hadramaut HUSN AL HAMZHAN RELIGIOUS

SETTLEMENT

A00047 D 39 1 B d

Hadramaut OQRAN MEGALITH A00048 D 39 2 A c

Hadramaut GABER ABD ALLAH CASTLE A00049 D 39 2 A c

Hadramaut OMM AL 'ARD RELIGIOUS

SETTLEMENT

A00050 D 39 2 A c

Hadramaut KHASHAMER RELIGIOUS

SETTLEMENT

A00051 D 39 2 A c

Hadramaut SHARG HEBRI TERRITORIAL CONTROL

SYSTEM

A00109 D 39 1 D a

Hadramaut AL MAKHANIQ FORTIFIED SETTLEMENT

A00110 D 39 1 D a

Hadramaut HUSN 'IWADH BIN 'ALI FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00040EA01 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut QARAT 'ABDEL 'AZIZ FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00040EA02 D 39 2 A a

Hadramaut AL FALAS (SAIUN) FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00003EA01 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut QARAT ASH SHEIKH 'ALI FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00003EA02 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut MARYAMA FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00004 D 39 2 B a

Hadramaut MAKAN GA'FAR UMM

BADR

WESTERN FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00018EA01 D 39 2 A b

Hadramaut MAKAN GA'FAR UMM

BADR

EASTERN FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00018EA02 D 39 2 A b

Hadramaut BUHEIRA FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00021EA01 D 39 2 A b

Hadramaut TARIS FORTIFIED SETTLEMENT

S00027EA01 D 39 2 A b

Hadramaut ALAWI BIN ABDELLAH

MOSQUE

MOSQUE S00033MA001 E 39 134 D c

Hadramaut AL QARA SETTLEMENT S00037 D 39 2 B b

Hadramaut HUSN AL MADASHINA CASTLE S00144MA001 D 39 1 B d

Hadramaut HAININ FORTIFIED

SETTLEMENT

S00261EA01 D 39 1 B c

Hadramaut 'AMIRIYA MOSQUE MOSQUE OF THE

MIXED SITE OF HAININ

S00261MA001 D 39 1 B c

Hadramaut AL GAME' MOSQUE MOSQUE OF THE MIXED SITE OF HAININ

S00261MA002 D 39 1 B c

A14M1 – Castle of Qarat Gusheyb: frontal view

20 Wadi Hadramaut

A16 – Upright stones in circle in Al Mutaiwal

A18 – Yuya 1 settlement: general view

A19M002 – engravings on the megaliths of Yuya 2: detail (hand)

A19M002 – engravings on the megaliths of Yuya 2: detail (breast-feeding)

21 Wadi Hadramaut

A19M002 – reproduction of the engravings on the megaliths of Yuya 2 (by Hussein Al Aidarous)

A43 – religious settlement of Yuya 3: detail of the structures

A44 – megalith of Yuya 4

A49 – Castle of Gaber Abd Allah: general view

A49 – Castle of Gaber ‘Abd Allah: detail of a corner-tower

22 Wadi Hadramaut

A110 – mihrab of a mosque in the fortified settlement of Al Makhaniq

A100 – fortified settlement of Al Makhaniq: general view

S3EA01 – Husn Al Falas in Saiun: general view

S3EA01 – interior decoration of the Husn Al Falas in Saiun

S18EA02 – fortified settlement of Makan Ga’Far Umm Badr

23 Wadi Hadramaut

S18EA01 – fortified settlement of Makan Ga’Far Umm Badr

S21EA01 – fortified settlement of Buheira: general view

S27EA01 – fortified settlement of Taris: general view

S27EA01 – fortified settlement of Taris: detail of the interior decoration of the castle

S33MA001 – Mosque of Alawi Bin ‘Abdellah: general view

24 Wadi Hadramaut

S37MA001 – mosque of Al Qara: detail of the inside

S37 – Al Qara: ruins of a house

S37EA01M001 – Al Qara: sepulchral tombstones

S37EA01M001 – sepulchral tombstone

S144MA001 – castle of Al Madashina

25 Wadi Hadramaut

S261MA001 – ‘Amiriya mosque in Hainin: general view

S261MA001 – ‘Amiriya mosque in Hainin: minaret

S261MA002 – Al Game’ mosque in Hainin: general view

S261MA002 – Al Game’ mosque in Hainin: arcade

26 Wadi Hadramaut

RISKS

ABANDONMENT The abandonment of the older residential structures in the entire area is linked mainly to the process of total reconstruction at the expense of their recuperation.

The phenomenon is also present in this part of the territory, though it is certainly less marked than elsewhere because of the very “centrality” of this wadi. Our

research has revealed that, here, the phenomenon especially concerns certain villages, for specific reasons, as in some cases the repeated occurrence of floods:

Shibam

Saiun Makan Al ‘Ali Dhi Sobah

Al Masila Al ‘Aqda

Suheil Shibam Al Batina

Here most of the old housing, no longer extensible, has been abandoned. We believe that only limited interventions are possible in this wadi, i.e. saving from complete destruction only certain buildings of particular artistic and

documentary value. Priority could be given to the system of fortifications.

CONCRETE AND ASPHALT Here concrete is present more than elsewhere, scattered a little all over. The first unpleasant impression is that by, now, it is unstoppable. All the new buildings display their concrete blocks rigorously to view, with their pillars and iron

reinforcement rods projecting upwards, even when the building is inhabited. On a closer analysis one discovers, with a certain relief, that the horror is concentrated within a few km along the road in only three localities, in addition to

a fourth in wadi Al ‘Ain:

27 Wadi Hadramaut

Some km west from Saiun.

From Al Hauta to the suburbs of Shibam

Suburbs of Al Qatn, from the east to the west.

28 Wadi Hadramaut

To show the entire situation regarding the concrete all over the area: in wadi Al

‘Ain, the stretch of road in front of the Castle of Al ‘Aglaniya.

If by human intervention or by some miracle the incursion of concrete should now be halted, it would only be necessary to plaster a score of buildings and to

eliminate only a half-dozen buildings which have a particularly devastating effect due to their position and form. so the valley would be substantially saved. The beauty of this territory could be consigned first to the legitimate pride of the

population of Hadramaut and then to the admiration of visitors. If no intervention is made, it is likely that the entire stretch from Say’un to al Qatn will be devastated.

Asphalt has already completed its cycle and no further threats are foreseen for

this element in the secondary wadis.

SAFEGUARD

PROTECTION AREAS The main wadi and its tributaries make up a unique environment of great interest, in which however certain places in the territory definitely need greater

attention to avoid construction or, as in some cases, construction that does not respect the homogeneity with milieu. We have identified around certain villages a few EXTRA-URBAN AREAS of

PARTICULAR ENVIRONMENTAL VALUE.

- Al Masna‘a and Al Ghanima, West of Shibam, two villages very close to one

another - Azh Zhahira e Makan al ‘Âli, Northeast of Shibam, two villages very close

to one another.

- Al ‘Aqda, a tiny nucleus of palm groves. - Husn al Muneibâri, a small nucleus on the northern slope of the wadi. - ‘Ard as Sagir, a small nucleus on the northern slope of the wadi

- Madûda, North of Saiun

An archeological site composed of the ruins of an ancient village. - Al Qara,

Some castles - Hadhya, a castle.

29 Wadi Hadramaut

- Husn Al 'Err, a castle defending the border between wadi Hadramaut and

wadi Masila

The sum of many villages, from the eastern outskirts of Say’un to the city of Shibam: - the PALM GROVES: the whole strip of palm cultivation, delimited by the

asphalted road and by the parallel earth road further north. It is a very vast area: the heartland of the valley between two of the most important cities.

EXPLOITATION

CONSERVATION OF THE ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE

Let us save the fortresses The entire area is full of castles, small forts and watchtowers. In the only wadi Hadramaut, there are more than 40, almost all in bad conditions.

These imposing mud brick building were inhabited by locals until just a few years ago, who gathered inside to defend themselves. Now that there is no longer any

such danger, the inhabitants live in the buildings constructed all around the fortress which, having been abandoned some time ago, is slowly falling into ruin. Can the fortress be recuperated and reused by the local people? We expect on the

consultation and the work management skills of SALEM SAIED BREK, a restorer-craftsman of Tarim. How can this building be exploited into cultural and tourist purposes, even in the salvage phase, including it in the valley's tourist trip?

The Program must develop a feasibility study for the salvage of this building with the involving of the local inhabitants and under the direction of an expert and

talented artisan, and without the involving of architects and firms « specialized » in restoration.

INHABITED

CENTER

OTHER

LOCALITIES

PHOTO SIGNS

architectural and

environmental

structures

- Husn Ba

Mushega

CASTLE of Ba Mushega (abandoned)

30 Wadi Hadramaut

Husn Al 'Awânez

CASTLE of Husn Al `Awanez (abandoned)

Husn Al Fâs

CASTLE of Husn Al Fas (ruins)

Bâ Bakr

FORTRESS of Ba Bakr

Harâd

CASTLE of Harad (abandoned)

Sherma

CASTLE of Sherma (abandoned)

Bir Al

Madini

CASTLE Bir Al Madini

(abandoned)

31 Wadi Hadramaut

Al Qafl

CASTLE of Al Qafl (abandoned)

- Husn

CASTLE

(abandoned)

Al Qattâr

FORT of Benzima (neglected)

Matâreh

Castle of Matareh (abandoned)

Husy

Castle of Husi (abandoned)

- Husn Al 'Err

CASTLE of Al ‘Err

(abandoned)

Husn Al Madâshina

CASTLE of Al Madashina (abandoned)

32 Wadi Hadramaut

Qarîu

CASTLE of Husn ‘Azzan (abandoned)

CASTLE of Husn Al Mar'i (abandoned)

Al Masîla

Castle of Al Masila (ruins)

Suheil Shibâm

CASTLE of Husn Sa ‘Idia

(inhabited)

Hadhya

CASTLE of Hedhya (lived in till 2000,

currently abandoned)

33 Wadi Hadramaut

Al Kharâba

Castle of Al Kharaba

Al 'Aqda

CASTLE of Al Y Af'e

(inhabited) CASTLE of Al Musalli

(inhabited)

Sâhat Al

Gahaûra

fort (ruins)

´Ard Âl Habû

CASTLE of 'Ard Al Habu' (abandoned)

'Aniybeda

CASTLE of ‘Aniybeda

(abandoned)

Guwât Âl Muhannâ

CASTLE (abandoned)

34 Wadi Hadramaut

FORT (abandoned)

Hainin

castle of Masna'at Hainin (ruins)

SUHEIL

GO'EIMA

castle (ruins)

QARAT AL'OR

fortified village (ruins)

QARAT

GUSHEYB

castle (ruins)

QARAT AL-HABUZHI

castle (ruins)

GABER ABD ALLAH

castle (ruins)

35 Wadi Hadramaut

SHARG

HEBRI

territorial control system

(ruins)

AL

MAKHANIQ

fortified village (ruins)

AL FALAS (SAIUN)

castle (ruins)

QARAT ASH SHEIKH 'ALI

fortified area (ruins)

MARYAMA

castle (ruins)

36 Wadi Hadramaut

MAKAN GA'FAR UMM BADR

castle (ruins)

MAKAN

GA'FAR UMM BADR

castle (ruins)

BUHEIRA

castle (ruins)

AL QARA

castle (ruins)

HUSN

'IWADH BIN 'ALI

castle (ruins)

QARAT 'ABDEL 'AZIZ

castle (abandoned)

37 Wadi Hadramaut

These imposing mud brick building were inhabited by locals until just a few years ago, who gathered inside to defend themselves. Now that there is no longer any such danger, the inhabitants live in the buildings constructed all around the

fortress which, having been abandoned some time ago, is slowly falling into ruin. Can the fortress be recuperated and reused by the local people? We expect on the

consultation and the work management skills of SALEM SAIED BREK, a restorer-craftsman of Tarim. How can this building be exploited into cultural and tourist purposes, even in the salvage phase, including it in the valley's tourist trip?

The Program must develop a feasibility study for the salvage of this building with the involving of the local inhabitants and under the direction of an expert and talented artisan, and without the involving of architects and firms « specialized »

in restoration.

38 Wadi Hadramaut

« Traditional TECHNIQUES and MATERIALS » In the valley a lively construction activity is taking place. It is fortunately,

adopting often a traditional technology. Nevertheless various habitations recently built or under construction present, besides the use of concrete blocks, also distort the traditional buildings’ type which become especially ungainly in this

context. Further, we notice that most of the public buildings make no reference whatsoever to traditional styles and techniques. Private subsidies could incentive their utilization in maintenance and new construction, in the realization of

PRIVATE ACTIVITIES for the production and/or importation into the valley of lumber for construction purposes. The project, which realization will take place

for over a 5-years period, will be headed by SHIBAM, will contribute at revitalizing the urban center.

Plaster production in Hadramaut. All the parts of dry palm trees are burned as fuel. Remains of a castle are visible beyond the smoke.

39 Wadi Hadramaut

The SIQAYA «the most important structure in Hadramaut»

By means of the siqāya4, the communities in the valley of the Hadramaut provide water for their inhabitants and fulfil their obligation of offering hospitality to strangers2. Indeed, of the monuments of the valley, the siqāya are the most

important. These structures are prominent everywhere in the area and are architecturally similar to each other, yet the impression is that no two siqaya are alike. The architecture is typical of the Hadramaut: in the part of the territory

where a census has been carried out, more than 180 siqaya were counted, many of which are still in use.

Siqaya provide small and precious water rations for wayfarers and are well protected against animals. The water is drawn through narrow windows or apertures by means of a bucket attached to the wall with a chain or rope. The

structure of the siqaya is such that it allows for airing of the water so that it remains relatively cool and always a pleasure.

A siqaya with openings and bucket.

There are various types of siqaya. We find simple structures with a well, for

example, sometimes with a musalla, a small closed-off area for saying prayers. Many carved inscriptions with the date of the structure and the most recent

restoration work. New ones are no longer being built and maintenance of those existing leaves much to be desired. Barrads, water refrigerators powered by electricity covered

with non-plastered concrete blocks, are now being built to replace the siqaya. Siqaya are everywhere, but may pass unnoticed by inattentive visitors.

The construction of a barrad

4 Saqqāya may be the more accurate pronunciation, but the people of Hadramaut call it siqāya.

2 In Mecca the prophet Mohammed had the role of the siqaya, he who gave to drink the sacred waters of the Zemzem, the spring near the sacred building of the town, Ka‘ba, to pilgrims. See Claudio Corvino, Correva l’anno dell’Elefante, in

“Medioevo”, September 2001

40 Wadi Hadramaut

SUGGESTIONS FOR A PLAN OF EXPLOITATION OF THE CULTURAL

HERITAGE

We suggest recuperating, on an experimental basis an architectural monument of particular value by choosing one of the many castles that are in bad condition. It

will be necessary then to compile a priority list of ten monuments. We should indicate monuments, most interesting villages, archeological sites, and illustrative panels should be installed. The surviving siqaya should not be

overlooked. Lastly: a convenient guide deduced directly from the Cultural Atlas of

Hadramaut. We consider it indispensable to train the local chauffeurs and guides to the landmarks present on the content of the guide.

INTERVENTION TYPE

COST US$

RESTORATION

MOSQUE of ‘IDID (Maduda),

MOSQUE AL ‘AMIRIYA (Hainin), PALACE of As Sultan Al Kathiri.

50.000

CONSOLIDATION

To choose: Castles, Palaces,.…

80.000

MAINTENANCE

40 SIQAYA

20.000

ROAD SIGNS AND ILLUSTRATOR PANELS

100 MONUMENTS

mosques, castles, qubbes

100 VILLAGES

20 ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

35.000

GUIDE – TRAINING OF LOCAL OPERATIVES 5.000

total 190.000

After the completion of the first interventions on the part of the international sponsors, the management of the PLAN should be entrusted to a local government office, which should necessarily be at the level of the Mudiriya of Shibam, the

Mudiriya of Say’un and the Mudiriya of Al Qatn. The Yemeni government should provide resources for the continuation of the PLAN ordinary through maintenance and management of its activities.

41 Wadi Hadramaut

WADI HADRAMAUT ARCHITECTURAL AND ARCHAEALOGICAL

HERITAGE

A visit to the principal wadi and its tributaries, to its three cities, its many

villages, its isolated monuments and its archaeological sites, will take from two to four days. Accommodation for the night is also available in four-star hotels as well as in funduqs. Yemeni cooking can be sampled in many places (SHIBAM,

SAIUN, AL QATN and AL HAUTA). In addition to a visit to the towns of SAIUN and SHIBAM, at least three itineraries can be singled out:

1. from SAIUN to the entrance of the wadi Masila,

2. from SHIBAM to AL QATN, 3. the palm groves, between SHIBAM and SAIUN, and the North side of the

wadi.

First itinerary. A few kilometers from Saiun, not far from the road, but plainly

visible, is the Mausoleum of Ahmed Bin ‘Isa Al Muhajir (“the immigrant”) to be reached by means of a long flight of steps, upstream, and the tomb of Ahmed Al

Habashi, downstream. Although it was rebuilt at the end of the 1990’s following considerable damage inflicted by the hands of the Wahabi sect, the attraction of the site remains intact. A visit to the extensive and fascinating archaeological site

built upon the ruins of the old village of Al Qara is recommended. The trip to the east takes us to the castle, Husn Al ‘Err, built to defend the boundary between

the wadi Hadramaut and the wadi Masila. Second itinerary. West of SHIBAM, there are two neighboring villages: Al Masna‘a and Al Ghanima. The village of Hadhya, which castle, lies beyond the road to Al

Qatn. A stop in the small settlement of Al ‘Aqda (two castles and two buildings on a small plot of land) is highly recommended. The journey west terminates at AL

QATN, where it is recommended you arrive by leaving the asphalt-surfaced road and by following the old track into the ancient qu'ayta city from the north. The market is one of the busiest in the valley.

Third itinerary. We suggest setting out from Qarīu, with its magnificent castle. This is the only village in which some of the streets are paved, plastered and

painted white. The palm grove extends beyond the asphalt road for many kilometers. You can cross it on foot from south to north, from east to west, in few hours. The wadi can be traversed by car near Al Hauta (the road goes east

towards Buheira and beyond). The palm groves here are not so dense. Its jagged boundary is made up of very small oases with irrigation water flowing along small

ditches. Don’t be surprised if, once you reach this place, you won’t want to leave! With time to spare you may wish to venture deep into the wadi Go’eima.