Two Anthropomorphic Stelae Connected With a Platform‐Like Structure in the Area of Ḥimā (Saudi Arabia): New Data From Southwestern Arabia

Archaeological excavations in the Ḥimā Cultural Area, Saudi Arabia, have uncovered two anthropomorphic stelae associated with a platform-like structure, providing new insights into Bronze Age occupation in southwestern Arabia. The discovery, made by the Saudi-French Archaeological and Epigraphic Mission to Najrān (MAFSN) in November 2021, challenges previous assumptions about the region's historical significance as a transit hub along caravan routes. The stelae, documented on the eastern side of Jabal al-Kawkab, contribute to a re-evaluation of the area's Bronze Age landscape, which has been characterized by continuous human activity from the Palaeolithic to modern times. This finding underscores the importance of Ḥimā as a key site for understanding regional history and cultural evolution.

Lischi, S., Haquet, J.-F., Schiettecatte, J., & Prioletta, A. (2024). Two Anthropomorphic Stelae Connected With a Platform‐Like Structure in the Area of Ḥimā (Saudi Arabia): New Data From Southwestern Arabia. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy, 36(1), 39–51. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/aae.12260