UNESCO Ancient Civilizations of Africa (Editor G. Mokhtar)

Pre-Aksumite culture
façades, which are preserved up to a height of about 9 metres, are treated
in a similar way to several buildings found in Mârib, the capital of the
kingdom of Saba, including the principal temple, which also stands on a
tiered base, but the plan of Yeha is not like that of any of the south
Arabian sanctuaries known to us. 8 Another building in Yeha, badly ruined,
comprises rectangular megalithic pillars standing on a high terrace; it is
situated at Grat-Beal-Guebri and is now being excavated. This building
seems to date back to the same period. 9 Similar pillars exist at two other
sites. Some are to be seen at the top of the hill of Haoulti, south of Aksum,
where they are set up in no apparent order and may not be in their
original position. 10 At Kaskasé, on the road from Yeha to Adulis, there
are six pillars whose arrangement is not yet understood as the site has not
yet been excavated.' 1 These pillars are reminiscent of the rows of gigantic
four-cornered pillars that adorn the sanctuaries of Mârib (Awwam, Bar'an)
and Timna (the temple of Ashtar).
The sculptures found at Yeha also point to Mârib, as for example the
frieze of ibexes and the fluted and denticulated plaques, which are also
found in the Melazo region, at Haoulti and Enda Cerqos, and which may
have served as wall coverings. The Melazo area, about 8 miles south of
Aksum, has proved to be rich in sculptures dating back to the south Arabian
period: as well as the stelae of Haoulti and the decorated plaques mentioned
above, there are a number of works that were used again later in modified
forms. The most outstanding examples are the naos and the statues discovered
at Haoulti.
The monument that is called a naos on a proposal by J. Pirenne - a
better term than the previously suggested 'throne' - is carved from a single
block of finelocal limestone about 140 centimetres high. It has four feet
shaped like a bull's hooves, two pointing forward, two back; they support
a base decorated with two bars, which is surmounted by a niche covered
with ornamentation except for the back, which is quite smooth. The niche
is topped by a dais in the shape of a depressed arch 67 centimetres wide
and 57 centimetres deep; along the edge, which is 7 centimetres high, there
run two rows of reclining ibexes that converge towards a stylized tree standing
on the tip of the naos; similar ibexes, pointing inwards towards the
niche, cover the edges of both sides in superimposed metopes 13 centimetres
wide.
The external surface of each side is decorated with the same scene in
bas-relief: a small beardless figure holding a staff precedes a large bearded
man holding a sort of fan; both seem to be walking. Their noses are
slightly aquiline, giving them a Semitic appearance, and their hair is
8. D. Krencker, pp. 79-84, Figs 164-76; J. Pirenne, 1965, pp. 1044-8.
9. D. Krencker, pp. 87-9, Figs 195-9; F - Anfray, 1963, pp. 45-64; 1972a, pp. 57-64;
R. Fattovich, pp. 65-86.
10. H. de Contenson, 1963b, pp. 41-86; J. Pirenne, 1970a, pp. 121-2.
11. D. Krencker, pp. 143-4, F'g s 298-301.
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