[18/May/2008]

DHAMAR, May 18 (Saba) - The American archeological mission would start its second season of archaeological excavation in Masnaat Mariya in Ans district of Dhamar governorate on Monday, head of the mission Krista Lewis said on Sunday.

In her statement to Saba, Lewis said that the mission would draw a detailed plan to cover several historical selected sites in the region.

The work will last for 45 days, she said.

The mission includes five experts from American University of Arkansas and other five Yemeni experts from General Organization of antiquities and Museums office in the governorate.

Mujahd al-Ansi, Secretary General of Dhamar Local Council, held a meeting with the members of the mission to discuss arrangements to start of works.

The members briefed al-Ansi on results of the archeological survey done by the mission during first season of their works which focused on 21 sites in the same region.

Masnaat Mariya is pre-Islamic Himyarite archaeological site is one of the largest in the Yemen.

In the local language the name means the fortress of Maria. A name such as this has obvious affinities to early Christianity. It is important as a large escarpment site partly of late pre-Islamic date.

AH/AH


Saba