Publications
Bovines in Rock Art in Ḥimā Sites, near Najrān
Rock art in southern Saudi Arabia, particularly the bovine motif found in the Ḥimā Cultural Area near Najrān, challenges traditional timelines of rock art in northern Arabia. While bovine depictions faded in the north by the end of the Holocene humid period due to desertification, hundreds of later representations persist in the south, extending into the Iron Age and Late Antiquity. This suggests a divergent timeline between northern and southern Arabia. The study, conducted by the French-Saudi Archaeological and Epigraphic Mission in Najrān (MAFSN), systematically documented over 300 bovine figures across eight sites, integrating rock art, epigraphic, archaeozoological, and ethological data to analyze morphology, stylistic evolution, and societal development. Some depictions are linked to Ancient South Arabian and Thamudic scripts, providing a rare chronological marker for this region's cultural heritage.
Minaeans at Ḥimā: The Epigraphic Corpus and Its Historical, Linguistic and Cultural Implications
Over 150 Minaean inscriptions and graffiti from Ḥimā, a critical trans-Arabian caravan route stopover, reveal insights into the social hierarchy and linguistic practices of ancient traders. The study highlights that these inscriptions reflect a close mirroring of spoken language, distinct from formal urban scripts, suggesting varying literacy levels and roles within trading caravans. Notable individuals with higher ranks or specific functions are identified, emphasizing the integration of Minaean families across regions and underscoring trade's pivotal role in their social organization.
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.
Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region: the role of values, rules, and knowledge
Biocultural conservation systems in the Mediterranean region, such as agdal (Morocco), communal forests (Spain), sacred natural sites (Greece), and hima (Lebanon), play a crucial role in preserving biodiversity by integrating values, rules, and local knowledge. These systems are shaped by instrumental, intrinsic, and relational values, often adapting to Mediterranean climatic uncertainty while ensuring equitable resource use through informal rules, including taboos. Local knowledge drives these systems, which support linkages between nature and human well-being. The study highlights the need for fostering biocultural conservation by navigating interlinkages between values, rules, and knowledge in decision-making processes.
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