An Epigraphical and Archaeological Analysis of an Ottoman-Arabic Commemorative Inscription at the Military Museum in Ṣanʿāʾ, Yemen

Abstract

This study presents a comprehensive archaeological and historical investigation of a commemorative inscription preserved at the Military Museum in Ṣanʿāʾ, Yemen. Originally located above the entrance of al-Qurāḍīn cemetery in the city of Ṣaʿdah, northern Yemen, the inscription references the Treaty of Daʿʿān (1329 H/1911 ad), a pivotal agreement between the Ottoman Empire and Imām al-Mutawakkil Yaḥyā Ḥamīd al-Dīn. The research sheds light on the intricate relations between the Ottoman Empire and the Zaydī imams before and after the treaty, providing critical insights into the political and cultural dynamics of Yemen during the late 19th and early 20th centuries ce. Through an in-depth analysis, this study underscores the inscription's value as a historical source, elucidating Ottoman-Zaydī interactions in the context of the Daʿʿān agreement. The analysis is organized around two principal aspects. First, it examines the formal characteristics of the inscription, including the script type, textual arrangement and recorded content. Second, it explores contextual elements such as the inscription's purpose, date, references to specific Yemeni cities, and the military ranks and titles mentioned. Additionally, the study investigates the influence of visual elements on the overall design, particularly their role in shaping the writing style and script selection. It further analyses the textual layout, languages employed and engraving techniques, emphasizing their functionality in ensuring legibility from a visual distance. This multidisciplinary approach highlights the inscription's historical, artistic and cultural significance, offering new insights into the interaction between visual, textual and contextual elements in commemorative inscriptions of this period.