Settlement Patterns and Fortification Architecture in the Central Highlands of Yemen

Authors

  • Daniel Mahoney Austrian Academy of Sciences and Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg of Mamluk Studies

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.33381

Keywords:

vernacular architecture, fortifications, Middle Islamic, Late Islamic, Ottoman, Yemen

Abstract

Located in the central highlands of Yemen at approximately 2,000-2,600 meters above sea level, the Dhamar Plain was the home of a tribal population who continually contended with a succession of invading states for its control over the course of medieval and early modern periods, such as the Rasulids (13th-14th cen.) and the Ottomans (16th-17th cen.). Despite the roughly century-long duration of theses occupations, only minimal physical remains are left of their military architecture in contrast to the abundance of local fortified structures still remaining. This article examines their settlement patterns and types of fortification as based on survey results from the Dhamar Survey Project (DSP) and the Dhamar Museum Survey (DHS). Emerging from a strong vernacular tradition that extends back to the prehistoric period, these architectural forms range from singular tower houses and watchtowers to more extensive citadels and walled settlements. Overall, this diversity indicates well-developed schemes that aim to maximize both arable land for agriculture and the safety of the inhabitants on both a household and community level.

Author Biography

  • Daniel Mahoney, Austrian Academy of Sciences and Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg of Mamluk Studies

    Daniel Mahoney is a post-doctoral researcher at the Austrian Academy of Sciences in the Institute for Social Anthropology and a research fellow at the Annemarie Schimmel Kolleg of Mamluk Studies at the University of Bonn where he focuses on the medieval and early modern periods of South Arabia. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Chicago in 2014.

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Published

2019-02-21

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How to Cite

Mahoney, D. (2019). Settlement Patterns and Fortification Architecture in the Central Highlands of Yemen. Journal of Islamic Archaeology, 5(2), 181-202. https://doi.org/10.1558/jia.33381

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