The city of Shabwa in Hadhramawt
The years 2003-2004 were mainly devoted to the publication of our research in Yemen. Indeed, since the excavations at Shabwa could not continue – for reasons beyond our control – it quickly became necessary to start publishing them.
Initially, the manuscript for the fourth volume of the Shabwa Excavations was completely revised and then sent to IFPO for publication, where it is still pending.
We focused on preparing the manuscript dedicated to the stratigraphy of the central part of the city. This long stratigraphy (from the 13th century BC to the 4th century AD), of great interest for the history of the Hadramawt kingdom, was the subject of several presentations in France (Aix-en-Provence Conference, 2003) and in Yemen (Sanaa, August 2004) and will constitute the main part of the fifth volume of the Shabwa Excavations.
These two years were also used to broaden the scope of our archaeological research both in Saudi Arabia (mission in April 2004 to Najrân) and in Eritrea (Franco-Italian mission to Kaskase and Kohaito in June 2005). These missions allowed us to establish fruitful contacts with the scientific and administrative authorities of these countries and to develop potential research programs.
Since September 2005, Jean-François Breton has been the cultural advisor at the French Embassy in Asmara, Eritrea.
Bibliography
- BRETON J.-F. (éd.) (manuscrit déposé pour impression en 2004 ; à paraître). Fouilles de Shabwa IV. Shabwa et son contexte architectural et artistique (du Ier siècle avant J.-C. au IVe siècle après J.-C.), ERC
- BRETON J.-F. et C. PHILLIPS (ArScAn- Village Etat PMO), (en préparation), The Handbook of Architecture of Arabia, en deux volumes chez Brill.
- BRETON J.-F. , avec A. AVANZINI, (en préparation), Le temple d’Athtar dhû-Risâf d’as-Sawdâ’ (Yémen), dans la collection Arabia Antiqua, Université de Pise.
- DENTZER-FEYDY J., “Le décor sculpté en pierre“, dans Shabwa IV, J.-F. Breton éd., à paraître au CEFAS, Sanaa (Yémen)
