Subeihi Dam
Wadi Dhana Upstream Regulator · Sabaean Subeihi Barrier
Sabaean Kingdom 800 BCE - 570 CE·Sabaean (Saba) kingdom·🇾🇪 Marib Governorate, Wadi Dhana upstream, Jabal Balaq, Yemen
About
About Subeihi Dam
8 km west of Marib, forming the upstream node of the Marib hydraulic triad (Subeihi + Main + Sadd al-Arim Secondary). The dam is a 90-m long, 14-m high ashlar gravity weir with 3 sluice channels 2 m wide each, C14 on juniper tie beams 800 BCE (Mukarib Yatha' Amar). Unlike the massive downstream earthen Marib dams, Subeihi is a narrow gorge gravity dam designed to desilt and regulate flood volume before water reached the oasis, reducing sediment load by 40% per Brunner sediment model.
Sabaean inscription Gl 1204 on the left abutment dedicates the dam to Dhat-Badan, indicating female deity protection of water. The gorge's narrowness (90 m) allowed ashlar gravity technique rather than earth, unique in South Arabia. Surviving to 5 m high despite 2700 years.
Why it mattersUpstream Marib gorge regulator proves tripartite Sabaean hydraulic system not single dam, refining desert irrigation model.
Open questions
Mysteries & theories
Mysteries
- 01Desilting function quantification - 40% model vs empirical
Theories
- 01Dhat-Badan female deity vs Almaqah male - deity hydraulic zoning
Theories are interpretations, not findings. The seal above tells you how much scholarly weight the place carries.
History
How it came to be
- Built
- c.800 BCE (Mukarib Yatha Amar) with repair 550 CE
- Period
- Sabaean Kingdom 800 BCE - 570 CE
- Culture
- Sabaean (Saba) kingdom
- Builders
- Sabaean Mukarib Yatha Amar engineers
- Purpose
- Upstream desilting and flood regulation before Marib oasis
- Abandoned
- 570 CE breach with Marib cascade
- Rediscovered
- 1980s DAI Jabal Balaq survey; Gl 1204 inscription publication 2014
- Excavation
- Partially excavated
800 BCE
Gl 1204 dedicatory inscription and juniper C14
2014
Hitgen publishes gorge regulator model
On the ground
Structures & features
15.3800° N · 45.2800° E · 1180 m · 2 mapped features
Ashlar Weir Body
hydraulic90-m ashlar gravity weir with three 2-m sluices and juniper tie beams
15.3790° N · 45.2810° EGl 1204 Inscription Abutment
inscriptionLeft abutment with Sabaean Gl 1204 dedication to Dhat-Badan
15.3810° N · 45.2800° E