Barāqish City Archaeological Site

Location:
Geographically, Barāqish (Yathill) is located in Wādī al-Jawf, approximately 15 km south of the city of al-Ḥazm, the capital of al-Jawf Governorate. Administratively, it falls within the northwestern edge of Ma’rib Governorate, according to the current administrative divisions of the Republic of Yemen. Historically, it was the second city of the Ma‘īn Kingdom in Wādī al-Jawf after the capital Qarnāw, and functioned as a religious city for the Ma‘īnī state.

Mention in Historical Sources:
The city was mentioned by the classical geographer Strabo, who noted that it was among the cities occupied by the Roman expedition of Aelius Gallus in 25 BCE.

Significance:
Barāqish (Yathill) was one of the key cities of the kingdoms of al-Jawf and held both commercial and religious importance. It was a major station along the ancient international trade route and served as Yemen’s northern gateway to the outside world—an essential crossing point to and from the urban centers of the South Arabian caravan kingdoms. It was the last trade station caravans passed through before heading north toward Najrān, eventually reaching the Mediterranean shores at Gaza, Tyre, and Sidon, after passing through around 65 trade stations, as recorded by Roman historians. It also served as the first southern station for caravans returning from the north to the cities of the Yemeni kingdoms.

It is believed to be among the cities that emerged in the last quarter of the second millennium BCE and flourished significantly at the beginning of the first millennium BCE as an important trade hub.

Historical Background:
The history of the city remains somewhat obscure due to the very limited excavations conducted at the site. However, physical evidence, particularly pottery, indicates early settlement dating to the end of the second millennium and the beginning of the first millennium BCE. Its massive stone wall is preliminarily dated to the 8th–7th centuries BCE, which corresponds with the elevation of the walls of Awām and Aw‘āl enclosures in Ṣirwāḥ. The city remained inhabited throughout at least the entire first millennium BCE. In its early periods, it came under Sabaean control before transitioning to Ma‘īnī rule around the 7th century BCE and beyond.

Historical sources suggest that by the time of Aelius Gallus’ expedition, the city’s role was already in decline—possibly due to intensified activity by nomadic tribes and the shift of trade routes from overland to maritime. Radiocarbon analysis indicates that in the 2nd century BCE, the city experienced destruction. It was then abandoned for nearly a thousand years before being reinhabited during the Islamic Middle Ages, specifically between the 12^th and 18th centuries CE. This later occupation resulted in a layer of debris approximately 5 meters thick covering the ancient ruins, which contributed to their preservation.

Before it was a city, Barāqish (Yathill) was originally a tribe, and together with the Ma‘īn tribe, it formed the nucleus of the Ma‘īnī state.

Description:
The city is semi-oval in shape, covering an area of approximately 4 hectares (276 meters in length by 188 meters in width). It was enclosed by a massive stone wall, estimated to have reached about 14 meters in height, based on the preserved southern tower which retains its decorative crenelated cornice. The wall is interspersed with 56 square towers that project outward from the main wall line. The city had a single gate located on the western side of the enclosure.

The justification for inscription lies in the fact that the city represents one of the rare examples of ancient Near Eastern cities that has retained its form and many of its architectural elements. It functioned as a trade centre with strong connections to the peoples of the Mediterranean and the Eastern Euphrates, as evidenced by inscriptions on the surrounding wall.

Criterion (ii): The city represents a unique example that reflects the urban planning of ancient Yemeni cities, characterized by a massive stone enclosure punctuated by dozens of protruding towers—most notably the 14-meter-high southern tower capped with a crenellated cornice. The city also demonstrates a synthesis of architectural traditions similar to those of other ancient Near Eastern civilizations, yet with distinct functional characteristics. For instance, the wall employs a system of alternating projections and recesses that served as defensive towers and expansion joints—a technique observed in its earliest form in the Step Pyramid complex of Djoser (3rd millennium BCE) and in the facades of Mesopotamian ziggurats from the same period. This indicates a lively cultural exchange that supports the concept of a unified cultural horizon.

Criterion (iii): The city bears exceptional testimony to the civilization of the Ma‘īnī Kingdom. It combined the functions of a religious centre and a trade station. In addition to its commercial role, it was the religious capital of the Ma‘īn Kingdom in Wādī al-Jawf and a centre for cultural exchange and social interaction between Yemen and the peoples of the Mediterranean basin and Egypt.

Criterion (iv): The city constitutes a complete architectural ensemble that represents an outstanding example of ancient Yemeni urbanism. It preserves numerous components such as walls, towers, and temples, which have provided valuable information about ancient Yemeni building technologies, design, and urban planning—particularly the complex roofing techniques observed in the temples.

The city possesses high authenticity, representing a unique model of a fully developed city in southern Arabia. It was established in a key location on the global trade routes heading north to Najrān, where the route branched eastward and northward to connect with the Levant and beyond. It was also one of the ancient religious centres and pilgrimage destinations, serving as the religious capital of the Ma‘īn Kingdom.

In terms of integrity, the city retains almost all of its components, including the full perimeter of its enclosing wall (although some parts are deteriorating), as well as its temples. Seismic surveys have confirmed that the buildings and central plaza of the city lie buried beneath approximately six meters of debris resulting from its final medieval occupation.

The city is effectively a fortified enclosure that still retains many of its architectural elements. The surviving wall has functioned as a physical shield for the site. An artificial protective buffer zone has been established with a metal fence surrounding the site at a distance of approximately 50 meters from the wall. In addition, a permanent military outpost is stationed nearby, all of which contribute to the site's physical protection.