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The kingdoms of ancient South Arabia
Death in Ancient South Arabia
The archaeological evidence of ancient tombs and cemeteries throughout Yemen indicate that there was considerable variety in ancient burial customs. For example, cave tombs have been found at Hurayda, rock tombs with preserved mummies were discovered at Shibam al-Ghiras, family vaults of several storeys have been excavated at Marib and Tamna, and cist graves with gold and silver treasures have been found at Wadi Dura.
Calcite-alabaster stelae were carved with depictions of the dead and often inscribed with their names. Many such stela and other funerary statues were discovered at Hayd Bin Aqil, the cemetery of Tamna. Carved alabaster heads were set in the rectangular niches of limestone stela: these were particularly common at Marib where they were often re-used to construct tombs and walls around the Awwam temple (see 'Other Views').