[30 March 2004] The National Museum (Sana'a)
It is situated in the heart of the capital Sana'a, and consists of three floors, with each containing a number of large halls. These are in the following order:
(A) Ground Floor
Ground and Reception Hall:-
The visitor upon entrance is attracted to the two bronze statutes representing the two Yemeni Kings Dhammar Ali Yahbar and his son Tharan.
They were found in the Red Nakhla region, south-east of Sana'a, and dated back to the first quarter of the Fourth Century. There are, at the hall's corners and middle, few standing cupboards. The true pieces of the two statutes are put in these show cupboards. The true pieces were technically re-structured in Germany. They were found in 1931
(B) Second Floor:
It comprises six halls. Each one embraces a particular era of Yemeni civilization. These are as follows:-
1- The Period Before Christ:
A hall particularly maintained for antiquities before the Birth of Christ i.e. before man knew the art of writing. Most of the items on show belong to Maeen dynasty, while others belong to periods still undiscovered by the explorers.
2- Al- Masnad Halls:
Al-Masnad the ancient Yemeni writings, which had been considered one of the historical eras before the Birth of Christ. The halls embody stone inscriptions, and "Al-Masnad" form of writing on events and real occurrences, etc etc. These are considered one of the most important sources on ancient history writings.
3-Maeen Dynasty Hall
As other ancient Yemeni Kingdoms, Maeen had its particular history of glory and splendor. The hall contains various writing blocks of "Al-Masnad", and sculptures, or clay, or bronze pieces. These antiquities tell a lot about ancient Maeen.
4-Mareb Hall:
Mareb is known today as being the second capital of ancient Sheba Kingdom. The name is closely detached with the great Mareb Dam that had been mentioned in the Quran-Muslim's Holly Book. This "Dam" according to the words of God in the Quran was destructed by strong floods, which had even swamped the whole ancient state of Sheba.
5-Sheba Hall:
Ancient Sheba dynasty was one of the most famous and strongest among other ancient states. The "Hall " contains various displays of the statues, human facial specimens made of alabaster, ancient coins, ammunitions, weapons and others. The antiquities are placed inside cupboards mainly designed for their displaying. They are also well distributed between these cupboards, the latter been supplied with lighting installations.
6-Hamyer Kingdom Hall
Though smaller than the others halls, it embraces the antiquities of ancient Hamyer Kingdom. These constitute statues and other items, the distinctive of which a statues of a "little" child.
(C) The Middle Hall:
There are many ancient monuments and architectural pieces in this "Hall", among which a specimen of Ashtar Temple (Aad daughters). This Temple exists till now in Al-Jawf province, but belong to some ancient periods before the birth of Christ. Around the corners and walls of the "Hall", there are also other stone items, statues, ladies bracelets, metal coins, and specimens of slaughtered bulls. Animals like bulls, bafallos, snakes and falcons, during pre-historic ages, were sacred symbols. They were often marked on the ancient stone monuments and walls of temples.
SABA