Al-Arada directs the implementation of protection measures for archaeological sites and the completion of necessary constructions in the Marib Museum

Member of the Presidential Leadership Council and Governor of Marib, Major General Sultan Al-Arada, stressed on Wednesday the importance of combining official and societal efforts to protect Yemen's antiquities and preserve its cultural heritage as part of the Yemeni identity and a human heritage of global importance.

During his meeting with the head of the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums, Ahmed Batayeh, in the presence of the Undersecretary of Marib Governorate, Ali Al-Fatimi, Al-Arada pointed out that antiquities and museums could become an important economic resource if they are cared for, protected and developed.

The Leadership Council member pointed out the importance of adopting a strategic plan that preserves the antiquities and cultural heritage in our country and contributes to enhancing community awareness of the importance of antiquities and cultural heritage.

He praised the outcomes of the first consultative meeting for the protection of cultural heritage, which was organised by the Authority in Ma'rib Governorate in October of last year, stressing the need to implement it to enhance the protection of antiquities from tampering and natural deterioration.

In this context, Al-Arada directed the leadership of the local authority in Marib to coordinate with the authority and work together to implement means of protecting archaeological sites, most notably the Awam Temple, the Baran Temple, the Marib Dam, and the ancient city of Marib, which was recently included by UNESCO in the World Heritage List, and to complete the necessary constructions in the governorate’s museum to preserve and display the archaeological pieces in the correct and appropriate manner.

For his part, the head of the General Authority for Antiquities, Ahmed Batayeh, appreciated the support of the member of the Leadership Council, Major General Sultan Al-Arada, for the Authority and the cooperation of the leadership of the local authority in Ma'rib Governorate with the Authority in implementing maintenance work on archaeological sites in the Governorate.

He also reviewed the outcomes of the first consultative meeting to protect cultural heritage, which was organized by the Authority in Marib last October, and the role of such meetings in developing the capabilities of local cadres and activating their role in protecting antiquities from tampering, and encouraging citizens and researchers to organize tourist visits to explore the ancient Yemeni civilizations.

The archaeological landmarks in Marib are considered a historical legacy for thousands of years, as its most prominent landmarks are the throne of Bilqis, the Temple of Almaqah, the Temple of Awam, the Temple of Baran, the old dam, the ancient city of Marib, the ancient city of Sirwah, and other historical and archaeological sites, some of which date back to the eighth century BC.