Fonds SC26 - "Notes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab"

1 folder handwritten and lithograph

The material was the property of John Wilson until he sent it to the Royal Asiatic Society.

The material was sent by John Wilson to the Royal Asiatic Society in 1839. It was received in February 1840.

Notes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab sent to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society by George Smythan, and resented by The President of the Society, John Wilson. A description and analysis of inscriptions on stones found by Dr A. Mackell at the town of Márab or Sábá, believed to be the seat of the Queen of Sheba. Four stones were found, two of which were acquired and facsimiles made for the others. Mackell believed the inscriptions were more Ethiopic in character. Wilson compares these inscriptions with ones found by J.G. Hulton and J. Smith (see Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.5, 1838, p.91). Wilson however suggests these may be of Sabean origin. The article is dated 28 November 1836 with a postscript, dated 2 December 1839, concerning Wilson's reluctance to have his findings published.

With the article are three lithograph sheets showing the figures and inscriptions.

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The paper was read at the General Meeting of 7 March 1840. The Minutes record, "The Director read a note by Dr Wilson of Bombay on some ancient figures and inscriptions from Márab in Arabia which had been presented to the Bombay Branch of the Society by Dr Smythan".

The Society's collections hold several of Wilson's publications. Details can be found in our Library catalogue: https://ras.koha-ptfs.co.uk/.

Much of the article, and the inscriptions, are reproduced as part of the chapter on Settlements of the Sons of Joktan: The Jokhanites and Hemyarites in Wilson's publication The Lands of the Bible: Visited and Described in an Extensive Journey Undertaken with Special Reference to the Promotion of Biblical Research and the Advancement of the Cause of Philanthropy, Volume 2, William Whyte, Edinburgh, 1847.

The material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.