Ancient Yemeni inscriptions to be preserved in web encyclopedia

Ministers and academics gather to discuss historical preservation in Yemen.

An encyclopedia of ancient Yemeni inscriptions should be created and uploaded to the internet, several antiquities authorities decided last week. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Saleh Ali, the Presidential Adviser for the ancient monuments affairs, Dr. Yusuf Mohamed Abdullah, and the Chairman of the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums, Dr. Abdullah Bawazier had a meeting with the deputies of the Pisa  Italian University Academic Affairs and International Relations to discuss the proposal last week. 

They decided to create such an encyclopedia, which will be funded by the Italian Foreign Ministry, at an estimated 400,000 Euros.  They discussed the implementation of this project, the time frame, and the commitments of both Yemeni and Italian people to complete the project on time.  The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Saleh Ali, pointed out that this web site will include all interpretations and writings that are related to Yemeni inscriptions, from the past century until today. He added that the Ministry of Culture and the Public Authority for Antiquities will work to provide all of the artifacts and inscriptions found in Yemeni museums, as well as in the warehouses, that have not been documented, in order to be documented and presented as a part of Yemeni inscriptions.

These will be  shown on the international information network, which will allow access and use free of charge by researchers, students and other interested people.  The agreement had been reached with the University of Pisa in Italy to train three staff members of the Public Authority for Antiquities and three of antiquities sections of universities in Sana’a, Aden and Dhamar. After the completion of the project, the Italians will offer scholarships in this field.  A galaxy of scholars, researchers and professionals from both the University of Pisa and Yemeni universities will jointly prepare the encyclopedia of ancient Yemeni inscriptions on the Internet. 

This research team will codify the ancient Yemeni inscriptions found in areas of the old Yemeni civilization in all parts of Yemen, such as Marib, Braqash, Maen, Tamna,  Dhofar, Dhamar and other areas.   Those that are available are found in the Yemeni museums. Researchers will be provided with the latest digital techniques, information technology, and a database, to help them to access the civilization of Yemen and its inscriptions through a modern and easy means. The implementation of this project begins this year and last five years.  This project will be financed primarily by the Italian government. It was agreed that Dr. Amedah  Shaalan will coordinate the project for Yemen, and Dr. Alexandra Avnzini will coordinate from the Italian side. 

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