BY MOHAMMED BIN SALLAM
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
Mr. Samuel Mahler, a Ph.D. student at Strasbourg University of France delivered a lecture at the French Centre for Archaeological and Social Science in Sana’a two weeks ago titled "Yemeni-Abysinnian stories on Queen of Sheba’s visit to the wise Solomon" highlighting a lot of mysteries about what researchers had said about the existence of the Queen of Sheba during the era of prophet Solomon in the 10th century BC. This was known chronologically in relation to kings mentioned in the Old Testament. He said that "Again the antique discoveries made in the last quarter of the 10 century in Yemen captured the attention of the concerned people. Queen of Sheba is known to Muslims as Bilquis and to Abysinnians as (Makida).
Yet the Scientific results of the ancient discoveries did not satisfy those who believe in the existence of the Queen of Sheba and its kingdom in the 10th century BC. On the other hand, the discovery of many Marebian antiques which date back to the 2nd century BC, and the availability of Musnad scripts that date back to the second half of 8th century BC all decisively prove the establishment of Sheba kingdom in Mareb. This also has been proved by the Assyrian texts which go back to the same period. In addition, many of Sheba kings were mentioned in the Shabean Musnad scripts, but with no reference to any of Sheba Queens either in the 8th century or in the following ones.
The main source on which Arabs and Muslims have relied is the Holy Koran, (Sura Anamal) which mentions the story of the Queen of Sheba's visit to Solomon without mentioning a specific name. This Sura is of a great significance to the interpreters who gave the Queen of Sheba its famous name. The Old Testament is also a key source because it refers to the Queen of Sheba and again no names were mentioned. The story of the Old Testament concentrates on the wisdom of King Solomon, his wealth, kingdom and the presents granted to him by the queen of Sheba".
"The main lesson learned from this meeting is the fact of monotheism. The story of the Queen of Sheba gathered us around as we all agree on the wisdom of Solomon and the fame of the Queen of Sheba," he concluded.