T HE G O L D O F O PHI R

W henc
e br o ug h t ano by W h om?

PR O F E SSO R EA N E,
L ATE V I C E PR ES I D ENT ANT HRO PO L OG I C A L I N S T I T UTE
-

AN D PRO F E SSOR O F HI N D US TAN I U N I ERS I TY CO LLEG E ETC ,

V , .

A UTHOR o r
‘
A sr A A r mCA
’ ‘
C ENT R A L AN D SO U T H A M E R I C A I N S T A N F ORD S
r
’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’

CO M PEN D I U M ( N EW ss ) ; ET HN O L OG Y ; M E PA S T AN D p R ESE N T
’
r
‘ ’
N

T HE B E R ST ATES L AN D A N D PEO PL E ETC

‘ ’
O ,
.

Th e t r u t h of O ph i r mu st as fr o m a de e p my ne be dr awne
, ,

o ut o f M o se s , G e n . I O — PU R C HA S I . 2 6
'

‘
Th e r e w as a t r ue O ph i r , na me d Of O ph i r , t h e so n O f

J o k tan —IB p
'
. . 4 5
‘
Se e t ze n h as co n clu si ve ly sh o w n t h at O ph i r i s to b e l o o ke d
fo r i n So u th e r n Ar ab i a
'

Tb e L a n d qf M i a za n
'
I I . p.
'

B UR TO N , 2 39

LOND ON : E D WA R D STA N F O R D
12, 1 3 8c 1 4
, , L ON G AC R E . W .C .

fi zog r uplgr r to fii s wj a r stg tbs l i ng

 PR E F A C E

I came
i n to th i s
‘a’ e d t °
Th e Pu b l i sh e r i n t e n ds thi s b o ok
re made
to be so ld to t he Pub l i c at th e
act o rs O f
adv e r t i se d p c
rie ,
an d th e ter ms th e ca s e ,

on w hi ch it is su
ppl i e d to the n
. ce th e

Tr ade w i ll no t a ll o w of di s co unt .
prese nt
vari o u s
s ubject ,

i ts
fi n al
s ettleme nt . Th e se fre sh material s fall u nd er s everal
h eads , th e m o st imp o rta n t Of wh ich may h ere be
s pecified .

F irs t an d fo r e m o s t c o me th e e x te n s ive t h o u g h stil l

far fro m e xh au s ted ex pl o rati o n s an d care ful stu d ies o f
th e Rh o de s ian remai ns to g eth er
, w it h g e n eral s urvey s
of th e w h o le r u n d by th o ro u g h l y c o mpeten t
g o ,
 PR EF A C E

A F EW wo rds seem called fo r t o e xplai n ho w I came

to ri s k my reputati o n fo r s an ity by plu ng i ng i n to th i s
O p h ir Que sti o n O ften auth o ritatively d eclare d t o
’

,
so

be i nso luble . W h en suc h pro n o u n ceme n t s were made

it w as i n so lubl e becau se so me O f th e essen tial facto r s O f
,

the pro blem were mi ss i ng Such i s n o l o ng er th e case

. ,

an d duri ng th e las t th ree decades , th at i s s i n ce th e

,

re -
di sc o very o f th e Z i mb aby e m o n ume nt s i n th e pre se n t
Rh o des ia, material s h ave bee n accumulated fro m vari o u s
quarters wh ic h j u s ti fy
, th e re o pe n i ng o f th e s ubj e ct ,

and h ave s eeme d to me amply s u fficie n t fo r i t s fi n al

s ettlement . Th ese fre sh material s fall u n der several
h ea ds, th e m o s t imp o rtan t Of wh ich may h ere be
s pecified .

Firs t an d fo re m o st c o me th e e xte n s ive th o u g h stil l

far fro m exh au s ted e xpl o rati o n s an d careful stu d ies Of

th e Rh o de s ia n re mai ns to g eth er
,
w ith g en er al s urvey s
of th e w h o le r u d by th o r o u g h l y c o mpete n t
g o n ,
vi i i THE GOLD OF OPHI R

Ob servers — trai ne d arc h ae o l o g i st s s uc h as t h e lat e

Th eo do re B en t an d Mr R o bert Swa n practical mi n ers .
,

e ng i n eers an d me n O f h i g h scie n tific kn o wle dg e s uc h

, ,

as D r H e n ry Sc h lic h t e r D r Carl Mauc h

. Mr Th o ma s , .
, .

B ai n e s Mr E A Mau n d an d Mr F ra n kli n W h ite ;

, . . . .

lastl y e x pe ri e n ce d l o cal e x pl o rers ,

s uch as Me s s rs Hall .

an d Neal w it h iate Mr J o h n so n
th e ir w o rth y a sso c , .
,
wh o

h ave s pe n t y ears o f i n telli g en t labo ur i n ve s ti g ati n g th e

wh o l e o f t h i s w o n der ful auri fero u s reg i o n mappi n g ,

i ts

h u n d re d s Of an ci e n t g o l d wo r k i n g s an d C la ss i fy i ng th e
I

asso ciate d Z i mb ab y e s i n to p e ri o ds ty pe s Th u s
’
an d
‘
.

w a s g iv e n t h e i n d i s pe n s able clue to th e tim e se que n ces ,

a nd to t h e arc h itectural pro t o ty pe s i f any c o ul d e l s ew h ere

be fo u n d, fo r all th e se Ob se r vers h ave fr o m th e firs t be e n
o f acc o rd th at no ne o f th e e arl y an d m o re fi n i sh ed
s tructure s th o se e speciall y
,
O fth e firs t an d s e c o n d peri o ds ,

co ul d be a scribe d to th e prese n t B a n tu p o pulati o n s O f

R h o d e s ia . A nd s uc h an attributi o n i s n o w alto g eth er
e xclu d ed ,
s n i ce I h av e b e e n able to sh o w t h at th e se
N e g ro i d B a n tu peo ple s w e re pr e c e de d by a s till l o wer
rac e — th e B u sh ma n -
H o tt en o s t t
— who o ccupi e d th e lan d
at t h e ve r y time t h e m o n ume n t s were rai se d an d i nde ed ,

s upplie d t h e fo rc e d lab o ur n ece s s ary fo r th eir pr o fitabl e

ere cti o n .

W h ile th e se o perati o n s were i n pro g re ss , or e ve n pri o r

to th em ,
o th ers ,
no tabl y J o se ph Hal evy L i e ute na n t ,

J . R. We llste d , E duard Glas er J u l iu s

,
E uti n g , Th o ma s

A r n au d, Sieg frie d La n der , an d th e pi o n eer C h ri s tia n ,

 PR E F A CE ix

m o stl y emi n e n t o rie n tali sts an d acc o mpli sh ed

Se e t z e n ,
ar ch a o lo g i st s were at w o rk ami d t h e rui n s an d i n s cribed
,

ro ck s th ickl y s trew n o ver S o uth ern A rabia . Nearl y

t wo th o u s an d i n s cripti o n s i n t w o fo rm s Of th e
a n cie n t
H im y aritic la n g uag e Mi n aea n
— an d —
Sabae an were
re co vere d and partly deciph e re d wh il e n umero u s g ro up s ,

O f crumbli n g m o n um e n t s w e re s u r vey ed a n d d e s cribe d .

Th e se de scripti o n s arre sted imm e d iate att e n ti o n , an d by

th e c o mparative m e t h o d Of stu dy th e m o n ume n ts
t h e m s elves w e re so o n bro u g h t i n to li n e w it h t h o se
be y o nd th e Zambe s i . F urt h e r re se arc h multiplied the

p o i n ts Of c o n tact b o t h i n t h e fo rm s an d mate rial of th e

s tructure s ,
an d i n th e Obj e cts bro u g h t to li g h t fr o m t h ei r
deb r i s . Th e
parall e li s m s c e a se d t o b e c o i nci de n ce s an d
b e cam e i de nt ities ; t h e e lliptical t e mpl e s at t h e a n cien t
Sabae a n capital Mar al ab a at Na k b cl Hajar an d e l se
, ,
-

w h e re , pre se n te d th e m o st s triki n g rese mblan c e to

s eve ral o f th e Z i mb aby e s ; t h e s

y mb o l s fi ur e d
g on a
Ph oe n icia n co in Of B y bl o s l o o k e d lik e mi n iature pla n s
Of c e rtai n S o ut h A frica n g ro up s ; an i ng o t o f t i n fo u nd

in F al m uth
o H arb o ur mi g h t h ave be e n ca st fro m a
so aps t o n e m o ul d O f curi o u s fo rm bro u g h t fro m Great
Zi mb ab y e ; t h e v e ry d ate o f t h i s structure ( 1 100 B C ) . .

h as be e n a s t ro n o micall y dete rmi n e d by a z o d iacal c h art

’

wh ic h w as fo u n d i n t h e n ei g h bo urh o o d an d pro ve d to

be th e wo r k O f no rth e r n s tar g az e rs dati ng

-
fro m a time
wh e n So l en e t re d Ta u ru s at th e v e r n al equi n o x . A ll
th i s cumulative evi de n c e l e ft no do ubt t h at th e fo rei g n
 THE GOLD OF OPHJR

pro to ty pes Of th e R h o de s ia n m o n ume n t s h ad bee n

fo u n d i n t h e H im y aritic la nds Of S o uth ern A rabia , s eat ,

as so me no w th i n k , Of th e o l de st civili s ati o n i n th e

wo rl d . E l s e we are e ntitled t o as k, If th e S o uth A frican

buil di ng s all i n timatel y c o n n ected wit h
, g o l d wi nn i ng
-
,

were n o t rai sed b y t h e H im y arites and th e ir Ph oe n icia n

ki n s me n b y wh o m were t h ey rai sed ? D i d th e y dro p
,

fro m t h e cl o u ds ? A nd even so , ho w came t h ey to

s imulate th e arc h itectural s ty le Of t h eir Yeme n ite

c o u n terpart s ? Miracle up o n miracle h as t o be s ug

g e s te d b y th e s ceptic s ,
if a ny re mai n , to avo i d a very
Obvi o u s an d i n e vitable i nfe re n ce.
And ag ai n , w hy s imulate on th e t
s on s e an d

earth e n ware Of Z i mb aby e t h e very s cript recurri n g on

the ro ck i nscripti o n s Of A rabia F e li x ? Th e te x ts Of

t h e se g rav e n s t o n e s en ter as a th ird fact o r o f vital

imp o rtan ce i n th e pro blem . Th e y reve al l o n g li s ts Of

Sabae an ki ng s dati ng at least fro m th e ti m e Of So lo m o n

and H iram ,
and o th e r ve ry muc h Ol de r li st s Of Mi n a e a n
ki n g s— t h irty th re e h ave so far bee n rec o vere d — ni
g o g
-

back to a di m past c o eval with th e earl y E g y ptia n and

B aby l o n ia n e po c h s . Th ey furth er sho w t h at th e art o f

n avi g ati o n w as alre a dy well devel o ped i n t h o se rem o te
times th at t h e B aby l o n ia n s pro babl y acquired t h e art
,

fro m t h e H i m y arite s already do mi n an t i n t h e I n dia n

O cean ; a n d t h at t h ere were Mi n aea n p o te n tate s w h o

O ff ered t h eir s upplicati o n s to th e lan d g o d s a n d th e se a

 PR E F A CE xi

g o d s O f all th e reg io ns wit h wh ic h t h ey h ad es tabli sh ed

i n terc o urse .

A fo urt h facto r w as y iel d e d u n e x pect e d l y , an d

i ndeed u n witti n g l y ,
by B en t
’
s e x pl o rati o n s i n th e S o uth
A rabia n fra n ki n ce n se la n d , D h o far . H e re are co n e e n
t r at e d i n s tran g e pro fu s i o n all th e eleme n ts n eeded to

es tabli sh the i de n tit y o f Mo sch a — A r r i an

’
s Po rtu s
N o bili s — an d th e rui ns r upe d r un d t he a djace n t
g o o

i n l e t wi th th e
,
B iblical O p h ir, Pto lem y
’
s Sapph ar
Metro po li s u n de r th e ve r y sh ado w O f the Mo u n t Seph ar
Of Ge nes is x. Th e s urvey Of th e d i s trict sh o wed t h at
t h e fam o u s h arb o ur, ru n n i n g ne arl y tw o mile s i n land ,

h as l o n g bee n s ilted up at i ts m o uth t h u s e xplai n i ng

,

ho w it cam e to be fo r g o tte n t h ro u g h o ut medi e val times

till no w ag ai n rec o vere d by m o de rn e nterpri se . With
i ts re co very O ph i r i s al s o rec o vere d , an d i s fo u n d t o
be no t a g o ld -
y iel d i n g la n d but a , g o l d mart a , g o ld
impo rter an d di s tribut o r t h r o u g h o ut th e an cie n t w o rl d ,

as mi g h t i nd e e d h ave be e n a n ticipat e d by a m o re
care ful stu dy O f t h e B iblical te xt s B ut as l o ng as t h e .

i dea p e rs i sted t h at O p h ir w as it se l f an auri fero u s la nd it

w o u ld n ever h ave been di sc o v e red, as I tru st h as no w

be en made clear . It al so made cl e ar ( se e

i s h e re

C h apte r I X .) t h at t h e B ibl ical Th ar sh i sh t h e Th ars h i sh ,

Of S o lo m o n an d H iram ,
i s to b e so ug h t i n t h e I n d ia n

O cean , an d n o t at th e o th er e nd Of th e Med iterra ne a n ,

as mi g h t be i n fe rred fro m th e vag ar ies O f th e Septuag i n t

an d Vul g ate ( Gree k an d Lati n ) tra n s lati o n s Of c e rtai n
xi i THE GO LD O F OPHI R

passag es i n K i ng s C h ro n icles ( se e N o te
an d Ho w
a ny i n telli g e n t c o mme n tato r c o ul d ever h ave s upp o se d

t h at S o l o m o n s Th arsh i sh w as th e Tar t e ss us at t h e
’

mo uth O f t h e Guadalquivir o n t h e A tla n tic seab o ard ,

p a ss e s c o mpre h e n s i o n . Wh y sh o ul d t h e I s ra e liti s h and

Ph oe n icia n
’
n avie s built at S o l o m o n s
, n aval s tati o n of

E z i o n g e ber
-
on th e Re d Sea t r y to g e t t h ro u g h
, th e

Isth mu s o f Suez to s ail d o w n t h e w h o le le n t h O f

g th e

Me dite rra n ea n in ques t Of th e i vo ry an d peac o ck s w h ic h

t h ey n eve r c o ul d find i n Spai n but c o ul d e a s il y sh ip at
vari o u s p o rt s o f t h e I n dia n O c e a n ? I f Ta r t e ssus w a s
th eir Obj e ctive th ey c o ul d ,
h ave s ail e d s trai g h t fro m
Ty re , an d So lo mo n ne ed no t h ave tro ubled ab o ut
E z i o n g e b e r, w h ic h
-
ver th e less play s s uch a c o n s picu o u s
ne

part i n th e n av al reco r ds O f h i s rei n

,
g .

A fi fth facto r Of g reat i n terest and no ve lty is i n tro

d uce d fo r t h e first time i n to th e questi o n i n C h apte rs X I I .

an d X ML, w h ere l o n g -
tan di ng
s so cial a n d reli g i o u s
i n terc o ur se is e stabli sh e d b e tw e e n t h e Malag a sy i n h ab i

tan ts Of Ma dag a s car and t h e ir H im y aritic ,

Ph oe n icia n ,
an d Jewi sh vi s ito rs fr o m t h e n o rt h er n h e mi s p h ere . TO
reach th e se so uth er n latitu des alm o s t with i n , s ig h t Of

R h o de s ia , t h e H im y arit e s h ad on ly to s tart fro m t h e ir

p o rt Of O p h ir, wh e n c e t h ey w e re alrea dy accu st o m e d to

e
s nd e x p e d iti o n s to all parts O f th e In d ia n O cea n . B ut

t h eir Ph oe n icia n an d I s raeliti sh a sso ciate s h ad t o s ail

d o w n th e wh o le le ng th Of th e R e d Sea a n d t h e n ro u n d
,

by th e so uth c o a st ofA rabia t o O p h ir, wh ic h l ay abo ut

 PRE F A CE xi i i

mi dw ay b e t w ee n E z i o n g eber
-
an d the Mo zambique
C h a nn el It may be.
g at h er e d fro m the B iblical tex t s
th at many O f th e e x ped iti o n s sto ppe d h ere wh ile o th ers , ,

especially th o s e equipped by S o l o m o n and H iram

j o i n tl y pass ed o n to Th arsh i sh p o rt O f t h e auri fero u s
, ,

Havilah ( R h o de sia ) I n t h i s w ay all t h e se Semitic

.

peo ples -
H im y arites J ews an d P —
h oe n icia n s may well
, ,

h ave fo u n d th eir w ay t o t h e g reat i sland w h ere th eir

,

l o ng so o j ur n is still atte sted by th e n u mero u s H im y aritic

elements i n th e Malay o Po l y n es ian Malag asy la ng uag e
-
,

especiall y t e rm s c o nn ected with th e Saba -

B aby l o n ia n
as tro l o g y ,
an d divi n ati o n, as well as by t h e s urvival Of

ma ny Ca n aa n iti sh reli g i o u s Ob serva n ces and L evitical

rites prevale nt in Ph oe n icia and Is rael i n S o l o m o n ic
times . It will c o me as a s urpri se to many Of my
reade rs to l e arn t h at th e Malag a sy peo ple n ame t h e ir
week d ay s no t i n t h e relativel y m o der n A rabic O f t h e
-
,

K o ra n , but i n t h e far m o re a n cie n t H im y aritic l ang uag e

o f th e r ck i
o ns cripti o n s, a nd th at all th eir m o n th -
n am e s
are t h o se no t O f th e Mo s l e m A rabs but O f , th e Sab ae o
B ab y l o n ia n Z o d iacal c o ns t e llati o n s , an d th at no t in
trans lati o n s as we mi g h t say t h e R a m t h e B ull t h e
, , ,

Twi n s & c but i n t h e very Semitic fo rm s t h em s elves

, ., ,
,

s lig h tly m o dified in c o n fo rmity wit h th e Malag asy

ph o n etic sy s tem . It will al so be a s urpri se to fo lkl o ri sts

t o fin d t h at many O f th e po pular m y th s leg en ds , , n ursery

r h y mes and s o t ries are s triki n g l y a n al o g o u s
, to t h o se
curren t fro m time o ut Of mi n d am o n g st th e E uro pea n
xi v THE G OLD OF OPHI R
po pulati o n s , an d th at th e e xpla n ati o n lies pro babl y in
th e g o l d h u n ti ng
-
e xpediti o ns des patc h e d b y So lo mo n
and h i s frie n d H iram to t h e so uth er n waters so me th ree
t h o u sa nd y ears ag o . B ut uch po pular fa n cie s seem
s

n ever t o d i e but s till

, to g ai n n e w li fe a n d put o n e n d le s s

Pro tea n fo rm s with every rebo u n d fro m m o th e r earth .

No r will a ny bo dy feel much s urpri se at th e vitality Of

th i s re markable Malag asy fo lkl o re , wh e n h e h as s tu die d

th e pro o fs h ere submitted Of th e s till m o re a sto n i sh i n g
vitality Of th e Malag asy la n g ua g e itse l f ( se e p . I 3 q
2 s .

and N o te
It mu s t no w be pretty evi den t to eve r y bo dy t h at th e

O p h ir pro bl e m w as n ece ssaril y i nso luble be fo re t h i s

g reat ma s s Of fre sh vi de n ce h ad bee n plac e d at
e the

di s p o sal O f th e h i s to rical s tu de n t .

Th e fiel d h ere s urve y e d is so e xte ns ive , an d th e

material s no w available so abu n da n t t h at , in o r de r to

pre ve n t o v e rcro w d i ng I h ave h ad t o releg ate muc h

impo rta n t matte r to t h e N o te s an d A dde n da , c o llected
’

to g eth e r at th e e nd O f t h e vo lume . Th e se ar e t h ere fo re

to be take n as an i nteg ral part o f the arg ume n t , an d

ma ny may be d e s cri b e d w h at call pzéces

th e F re n ch
’

as

m f m
'

j u fi
s tz t zv es .I t h e re o r e tru s t t h at y critic s will care
full y c o n s ult t h em be fo re ve n turi n g an o pi n i o n o n t h e
merit s O f an y p o i n t at i ss u e .

D uri ng pro g ress O f th e w o rk I h ave bee n i n

th e

c o rre spo n de n ce wit h Mess rs Hall an d Neal an d mu st .

,

h ere te n der t h em my warmes t t h a n k s fo r th eir c o urtesy

 PR E F A CE xv

a nd g e n er o s ity in placi ng at my d i spo s al so me O f th e

t h e A n cie n t R ui n s O f Rh o de s ia
’
a dva n ce sh eet s Of
‘
,
in

wh ic h th ey h ave embo d ie d th e result s Of th e impo rta n t

i n vesti g ati o n s abo ve re ferre d to . In C h apters 11. an d

X IV . I h ave g ladl y availed m y se l f o f so me o f th e

valuable material s c o llected by th e m . Need less to s ay

t h at th eir w o rk will be fo u nd i n di spe n sable fo r a full

u n dersta n di ng O f th e wh o le s ubject .

I sh o ul d add th at t h i s vo lume h a s g ro wn o ut Of a
’
s eries of papers on Th e G o l d o f O ph ir c o mmu n icated
°

to
‘
R h o de s ia
’
d uri ng th e m o n t h s O f A u g u s t an d
S e pt e mbe r 190 1.

A. H . K E A N E.
A R AM G AH-

79 B RO A DHUR ST G AR D E N S ,

D ec
e mbe r , 1901
xvi i i THE GOLD OF OPHIR

C HAPT E R PAG E

X I. T HE HI MY ARI T I C R OC K IN S C RI PT I O N S R
— E A LY

SA BA E AN AN D M1N AEAN C U L T U R E E C H OE S o r
—

R H O D ES I A N CO NTA CTS

X I I. T HE HI MYA RI TE S I N MA DAG A SCA R

X I II . T HE J Ews A N D PHCE N I C IA N S IN MADA G ASCA R

X IV. HI MY A RI TE S JE WS
, ,
AN D PHCE N I CIAN S 1N R H O D E S I A
— CO N C LU S1O N

N O T E S AN D AD D E N D A

IN D E X
 T HE

GO L D OF O PHI R

C H A PTE R I

K IN GD O M O F SO FA L A — T HE MO N O
’
D E B ARR OS

MO TAPA A N D HI S Z I MB A B Y E S

W HE N t h e Po rtu g ue se fi rst ro u nded t h e Cape a nd ,

s wept tumultu o u s l y i n t o t h e eas ter n seas t h ey h urrie d , ,

like th eir Spa n i sh rival s i n t h e Wester n Hemi s p h e re ,

ever y wh ere i n que s t o f g o l d an d t h e o th er treas ures O f

t h e O rie n t . O n capturi ng S o fala i n 1 5 , 05 th ey at o n c e
,

built a s tro ng h o l d wh ic h t h ey call e d Fo rt O ph ir becau se ,

th e y fo u nd t h e Mo o rs th at i s t h e l o cal A rab trade rs

, ,

t r afific ki ng i n g o l d Wt h t h e y immediatel y c o n clu de d

,

mu st be th e G o l d o f O p h ir .
’
I n t h i s t h ey were mai n l y
ri g h t t h o u g h wro ng as will be see n i n supp o s i n g th at
, , ,

t h e n ei g h b o uri n g auri fe ro u s re g i o n — th e pre se nt R h o d e s ia

w as al so t h e la nd o f O p h ir . A s already s u g g ested b y
o u r title t h e g o l d d i d n o t c o m e primaril y fro m O p h ir
, ,

but w as bro u g h t t h ith er fro m o ver th e s ea s ; an d o u r

prese n t purp o se will be t o sh o w t h at th e first purvey o rs
B
 THE GOLD OF OPHIR

Of th e pre ci o u s metal s an d O f t h e o th er c o stl y ware s

,

bro u g h t t o t h e co urt s O f D avi d and S o l o m o n we re th e ,

H im y aritic pe o pl e O f S o uth A rabia w h o se c h ie f em ,

p o r i u m w a s O p h ir a n d w h o s e c h ie f fo re i g n s e ttleme n t
,

w as t h e A n cie n t Rh o de s ia h e re i de n tified wit h t h e

‘ ’
,

Havila h O f Scripture t h e wh o le la nd o f Havila h w h e re ,

t h e re i s g o l d .
’
He nce fo r t h e S ofa la th o u g h t O p h ir , ,
’

O f Milt o n ( P . L x i ) w e h ave merel y t o substitute

.
,

Ha vi la h t o g ra s p t h e t r ue relati o n s .

Th e Po rtu g ue se pi o n e er s di d n o t with so me d i s ti n ,

g u i s h e d m o d e r n p h il o l o g i s t s c o n n e ct S,
o fala it s el f wit h
O p h ir as t h u s : S ofa l a Sofa ] Sqfa r Ofa r Oph i r ; but t h e y
, , , , ,

t h o u g h t th e ir g e n e ral c o n clu s i o n g reatl y stre n g th e n e d

w h e n th e y h e ard t h at t h e larg e s t O f t h e n e i g h bo uri n g
c o as t s tre am s w as call e d S a bz as it still i s Th ey
'

.
,

alm o s t i n evitabl y a sso ciat e d t h i s n ame with th at O f t h e

Qu e e n O f Saba ( S h e ba ) t h e m o re SO s i n c e th ey w e re
,

furt h er i n fo rmed t h at S o fala h ad fo r a g e s be e n t h e

g reat o utl e t fo r t h e g o l d br o u g h t d o w n fr o m t h e O l d
mi n e s O f Ma n ica an d t h e o th e r auri fe ro u s i n la n d d i stricts .

A t t h at tim e m o s t O f t h e g o l d fie l d s app e ar t o h ave be e n

-

c o mpri se d wit h i n t h e limit s o f a s i ng le s tate t h e K i n g ,

d o m o f S o fala a s it w as call e d w h ic h w as ruled o ve r by

’
, ,

a po w e r ful C h i e f n a me d B e n a ma t apa ( B e n o mo t apa) o r ,

Mo n o mo t apa wh o i s already me n ti o n e d b y D uarte

,

B arbo s a a nd a g ai n b y Cam o e n s i n x 93 .

V é do B e no mo t apa O g r a n de i mpe r i o
De sal vati ac g e n te ,
ne
g r a e nu a.
’

Muc h valuable i n fo rmati o n re g ardi n g th i s p o te ntate ,

h is l d mi n e a nd n o w rui n e d r o al re s i de n ce s ( Sy m
g o s , y
 DE B A R R OS ’ ‘
K I N GD O M OF S OFA LA ’

ba b e , Z zmbao e, Z i mba bw e , Z zmba by e ) , h as

'

bee n pre
'
’

s erv e d b y t h e c o n temp o rary h i st o ria n D e B arr o s ( 14 96

15 A s t D e cad e
’

7 )
0 i n h i s s ia F ir , B o o k X c h ap
,
i . . .

B ut t h e Po rtu g ues e te xt n o t bei n g acce ss ible t o t h e

o rd i n ary rea d er I s ubj o i n an E n g li sh vers i o n w h ic h I
,

h ave prepare d O f t h o se pa ss ag e s w h ic h bear m o re

d irectl y o n t h e pre se n t s ubject
A l l t h e la n d w h ic h w e i n clu de i n th e ki ng do m O f
S o fala i s a g reat reg i o n ruled b y a h eath en pri nc e call e d
B e n o mo tapa ; it i s e n cl o s e d li k e an i s la nd by t w o arm s
O f a riv e r w h ic h i ssue s fro m t h e m o s t C o n s i derable lak e

i n all A frica w h ic h w as muc h s o u g ht a fter by t h e

,

a n cie n t s as bei n g t h e h i dd e n so urce O f t h e fam o u s Nile ,

wh e n c e al so i ss ue s o ur Z aire [ C o ng o ] w h ic h fl o w s by t h e
ki n g do m O f C o ng o .

Th e river w h ic h fl o w s t o war ds S o fala a fter i s s ui ng

,

fr o m t h i s lake an d h as a l o n g c o urs e divi d e s i n t o t w o

, ,

b ra n c h e s O n e reac h es t h e c o a s t th i s S i de Cape C o rri e n te s

.
,

a n d i s t h e river w h ic h w e fo rmerl y calle d t h e R i o d a

L ag o a an d no w t h e R i o do E s pirit o Sa n to [ L i mp o po ]
, ,

late l y fi xe d by L o urenc o Marque s w h o d i s c o vere d it i n ,

15 45 n d t h e o t h er bra n c h d e b o u ch i n g twe n ty fi ve l a ue
a e g s -
,

b e l o w [ abo ve] S o fala i s called t h e Cuama alth o u g h ,

o t h er p e o pl e i n la n d c a ll it Z a mb e r e
[ Z a m b e se ] 1 T h i s .

bran c h i s muc h the m o re c o pi o u s bei ng n avi g abl e fo r ,

o ver 2 5 0 lea g ues an d i n t o it fall th e se s i x larg e rive rs

,

— Pa nh a me s Ha n an i P L u a m uo a O an w a A
[ y ] g ,[ g ] r r u y a ,

[ R uia ] ,
M a n
j o v o M
[ j a o v a ] I n a d i r e []
P , a nd R u e n i a

[ f h h B m
’
R u e n y ]a all , o w ic water e n o o t ap a s la n d a n d ,

mo s t O f th em carry do wn muc h g o l d w h ic h i s y i e l de d
Se e e nd O f Vo l ume fo r No te s.
 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

by th at la nd Th u s th e se t w o bra n c h e s wit h t h e se a
. ,

o n t h e o th e r s i de fo rm t h i s g reat ki n g do m O f S o fal a
,

i n to an i s land wh ich may h ave a circuit O f o ver 7 5

, 0

leag ue s .

Th e mi n e s o f th at reg i o n w h ere g o l d i s Obtai n e d , ,

wh ich lie n eares t t o S o fala are th o se called Ma n ica ; ,

th ey are i n a d i s trict e ncircled by m o u n tai ns wh ich may

h av e a circuit O f t h irty leag ues an d t h e l o cality w h ic h

y iel d s t h e g o l d i s g e n erall y k n o w n b y i t s dr y an d ari d

appeara n ce and th e wh o le territo r y i s called Matuca
,

[ t h e pre s e n t M as h o n a ] a n d t h e pe o ple
, w h o mi n e it a r e

2
t h e B o to ng as .
‘
In t h o se Man ica m i n es w h ic h may lie so me fi fty ,

8 4
l e ag ues t o t h e we st o f S o fala t h e Cafir e s h ave to labo u r
'

h ard t h e la n d bei ng so d r y fo r all t h e g o l d fo u nd th ere

,

i s i n du st so t h at t h ey h ave t o take t h e e xcavate d eart h

,

t o a place w h ere water c an be h ad fo r w h ic h th ey mak e ,

s o me h o le s w h ere it c o llects i n wi n ter an d g e n er al l

y ,

n o bo dy d i g s m o re t h a n s i x o r s eve n s pa n s deep [ fo ur t o

five feet ] an d i f th ey g o t o twen ty t h ey c o me upo n t h e

,

h ard ro c k .

Th e o t h er mi n e s fa r th er rem o ve d fro m S o fala may

b e fro m 100 t o 200 lea g u e s di sta n t ; t h ey are i n t h e
d i s trict O f B o r O and Q ui t i c uy [ Quiteve o r K iteve ] a n d ,

i n t h em as well as i n t h e abo ve m e n ti o n e d rive r s w h ic h

,
-

wate r th at lan d th e g o l d i s fo u nd o f larg er S i z e so m e

, ,

embedded i n t h e reefs s o me alrea dy cleared by th e ,

wi n ter to rre n ts ; h en c e i n so me O f t h e po o l s s uc h as
, ,

re mai n i n summer th ey d ive do w n an d find muc h g o l d

,

i n t h e mud bro u g h t up In o th er place s w h ere are so m e

. ,

lag o o ns 200 me n se t to w o rk t o d rai n O ff abo ut h al f th e

,
 DE B A R R OS ’ ‘
K IN GD O M O F S OFA LA ’
5
’

water an d i n t h e mud wh ic h t h ey s i ft t h ey al so fin d
,

g o l d a n d SO ric h i s t h e g ro u n d t h at i f t h e peo ple were

i n du stri o u s g re at qua n titie s c o ul d be h ad but t h ey ar e
so i n do le n t t h at s tre ss o f h u n er al o n e will keep t h em at
g
t h e mi ne s . He nce t h e Mo o r s w h o vi sit t h o s e d i strict s
h ave rec o urse t o a ru se t o ma k e th em d ili g e n t Th ey .

d eck t h e n eg ro e s an d t h e ir w o me n with C l o t h e s be ads , ,

a n d tri n ket s i n w h ic h th ey d eli g h t an d w h e n all are

, ,

pl e a sed tru s t e very th i ng t o t h em bi ddi n g t h em t o g o

, ,

a n d w o rk t h e mi n e s an d o n t h eir ret ur n at s uc h a time

,

t h ey c an pay fo r t h o se th i ng s ; so th at i n t h i s w ay ,

b y g ivi ng th em cred it t h e Mo o rs i n duce t h em t o w o rk

, ,

a n d s o trut h ful are t h e n e ro e s t h at t h e k e p t h eir

g y e
’
w o rd .

Th i s pas s ag e i s O f g reat impo rta n ce as sh o wi n g t h at ,

4 00 y ear s ag o t h e g o l d fie l d s were
-
e n tirel y i n t h e h a n d s

o f t h e n atives a n d o n l y i n d irectl y e x pl o ite d b y

,
th e

A rab de al e rs w h o vi s ite d th e d i s trict fo r t h e purp o se

,
.

It furt h er app e ar s t h at t h e o perati o n s w e re limite d t o

w ash i ng s i n t h e auri fe ro u s alluvial mud so t h at t h e O l d ,

wo rki ng s w it h th e ir sh a fts a dit s a n d o th e r abu n da n t

, , ,

evi de nces O f S killed pro cesses mu st be n earl y all a n teri o r

,

t o t h at d ate t h o u g h O ft e n cre dite d t o t h e Mo sl e m A rab

,

traders S o me fe w e speciall y i n t h e east e r n ( Man ica )

. ,

d i s trict mi g h t n o do ubt b e attribute d t o t h e Po rtu g ues e

,

O f a later peri o d B ut t h e w o r k i ng s are far t o o e x te n

.

s ive t o be t h u s e x plai n e d a n d m o re o v e r o ccur fo r t h e

, , ,

m o st part i n d i s tricts s uc h as Mat ab i li lan d an d N o rth

T ra n s vaal w h ic h w e re n e ver reac h e d o r at least n ever
, , , ,

p e rma n e n tl y o ccupie d b y t h e Po rtu g ue s e

,
.

D e B arro s pro cee ds : Th ere are o th er mi ne s i n a

 6 THE G OLD OF OPHI R
'

5 ‘
di s trict call e d To ro a wh ic h i s o th e rwi se k n o w n
,
as th e
5
k i n do m o f B utua wh o se ruler i s a vassal o f B e no
g ,

mo t apa . Th i s la nd i s n ear th e o th er w h ich we s ai d co n

s i s t e d O f e xte n s ive plai ns [ p l ateau x ] an d t h o se mi n e s
,

a r e t h e Ol de s t k no w n i n th at re g i o n [ R h o d es ia ] Th ey .

are all i n a plai n i n t h e mi dd le o f w h ic h s ta nds a square

,

f s s all O f d re sse d st o n es w it h i n an d
[ s h o u l d be r o u n d ] o rtre ,

with o ut well wro u g h t an d O f marvell o us [ read s ma l l ]

,

s ize wit h o ut an y m o rtar S h o wi ng t h e j o i n i ng s t h e wall s

, ,

O f w h ic h are o ver 2 5 h a n ds t h ick [ 1 8 t o 19 feet ] but th e

h ei g h t i s no t SO g reat c o mpare d t o th e th ick n e ss A nd .

abo ve t h e g ateway o f t h at ed ifice i s an i nscripti o n wh ic h

s o me learn e d Mo o ri s h [ A r ab ] tra ders w h o h ad bee n th ere

were u n able to read o r say w h at writi ng it w as [ We .

sh all s e e t h at t h e script w as alm o st certai n l y H im y aritic ,

t h ere fo re u nk no w n t o t h e Mo slem A rab s ]

A ll t h es e s tructure s t h e i ndi g e n e s call SY MB AO E ,

wh ic h wit h t h em mea n s a C o urt [ ro y al re s i de n c e ] fo r

, , ,

every place wh ere B e n o mo t apa stay s i s so called an d as

th ey s peak O f th i s as bei ng a ro y al buil di ng al l t h e o th er ,

dwelli ng s O ft h e ki ng be ar t h e same n ame Th ere i s a n o ble .

man i n c h arg e O fth em like an alcal de mor [ h ead c o ns table] ,

an d s uc h an O fficer t h ey call S mb ac a we mi h t
y y o a s , g
say war de n O f t h e Sy mb ao e an d i n it are alwa s so me
y
O f B e no mo t apa s w o me n O f w h o m t h i s S mb ac
’

, y a y o h a s

c h arg e .

‘
W h en o r by w h o m th es e ed ifices were built th e ,

peo ple o f th e land bei n g u n lettered h ave no mem o ry ;

, ,

o n l y t h ey say t h ey are t h e w o rk o f th e devil becau se , ,

co mpare d wit h th eir o w n cu n n i ng a n d s kill t h e y th i n k no t

,

me n c o ul d h ave ma de th e m an d so me Mo o rs w h o h ad
“
8 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

s tructures rai sed j u s t as we n o w h o l d t h e fo rtres s O f

,

Mi n a [ i n Ma n icala nd] an d th i s o n e O f S o fala itsel f

’
.

Th at th i s des cripti o n re fer s t o t h e R h o de s ia m o n u

me n t s i s se l f evi de n t fo r t h ey are actuall y n amed a nd
-
, ,

t h e po s iti o n Great Zi mb ab y e n ear t h e pres e n t Vict o ria

’
,

i n Matab i l i lan d i s c o rr e ctl y g ive n as betwee n 20 an d 2 1

° °
,

s o ut h due we s t O f S o fala t h o u g h t h e d i sta n ce ( I 7 0 leag u e s)

, ,

i s t o o g re at as i s so O ft e n t h e ca se with t h e earl y w riter s

,
.

T h e Object o f t h e buil di ng s to h o l d t h e m i nes an d

t h e ir w o rkma n sh ip — —
d r e sse d s t o n e s wit h o ut m o rtar are
al so fo r t h e m o st part c o rre ctl y state d wh ile th e ir g reat ,

ag e i s emp h a s i se d o n t h e g ro u n d t h at n o n e o f t h e

l e arn ed Mo o rs c o ul d read t h e u n h appil y n o w va n i sh ed

i n scripti o n o v e r t h e g ateway N o w all l e arn e d Mo o rs
. ,
‘

c o u ld rea d n o t o n l y t h e o rd i n ary A rabic script O f th e

K o ra n but al so t h e muc h Ol der m o n um e n tal K u fics cript
,

fro m w h ic h t h at curs iv e sty l e w a s de rive d ab o ut o r s o o n

a fter th e tim e O fMO h a mme d H e n c e t h e i n scripti o n w as
.

i n a pr e K u ficC h aracter an d mu s t c o n s e qu e n tl y be dated

-
,

back t o pre Mo h amme da n tim e s t h at i s as will be s ee n

-
, , ,

t o t h e peri o d o f t h e v e ry a n ci e n t H im y aritic r o ck

i n scripti o n s O f S o ut h A rabia .

D e B arro s re fe re n ce t o t h e A x umit e pe o pl e O f
’

A by ss i n ia as t h e p o s s ibl e buil de rs a n d w o rk e rs O f t h e
mi n e s i s m o s t remarkabl e an d as will appear c o mes
, , ,

ve ry n ear t h e tr ut h Th e A xumite e m pire i s k no w n t o

.

h av e b e e n fo un de d by t h e S o ut h A rabia n H im y arite s ,

w h o cro ss e d t h e R e d Se a fr o m A rabia Feli x ( Y e me n )

at s o me very rem o t e peri o d a n d h ave t o t h i s day be e n

,

t h e do mi n a n t p e o ple i n A by s s i n ia Th e pre se n t E m .

p e r o r Me n e li k h im s e l f claim s d e s ce n t fr o m S o l o m o n an d
 DE B A R R OS
’ ‘
K I N GD OM OF S OFA LA ’
9

th e Quee n O f S h eba w h o i s h ere men ti o ne d by D e B arro s

,

Ac a x u mo th at i s A xum capital o f th e
’
as re s i d i n g i n , , ,

e mpire . Th i s i s o f c o urse merely a n ati o n al B iblical

, ,

trad iti o n wh ic h date s o n l y fro m t h e fo urth ce n tury O f

,

t h e n e w e r a w h e n t h e A by s s i n ia n H im y arite s were c
, on

verte d t o C h ri stia n ity b y th eir ap o stl e F rume n tiu s o f ,

A le x a n dria B ut i f th e R h o de s ia n m o n ume n t s ca n no t
.

b e cred ite d t o t h e se A by ss i n ia n H im y arite s it will h ere , ,

I tru s t be made evi de n t t h at t h e buil ders were th eir

,

a n ce st o r s t h e Sabaea n an d Mi n aea n H i my ar i t e s o f S o ut h
,

A rabia .

D e B arro s c o n ti n u e s : Th e pri n c e w h o m we call

B e n o mo t apa o r Mo n o mo t apa i s as with us an empe ro r , , , ,

fo r th i s i s t h e mea n i ng O f h i s n am e am o ng s t t h em an d ,

h i s s tat e do e s n o t c o n s i s t O f muc h p o mp o r s h o w abo ut

h i s pers o n F o r i n s i g n ia O f h i s r o y al state h e h as a very
.

s mall h o e wit h iv o r h e a d w h ic h h e alwa s wear s i n

y , y
h i s g irdle i n s i g n O f p e ac e an d a n o th er emblem i s o n e
,

o r t w o a s se ai s t o de n o te j u s tice an d de fe n ce O f h i s
g ,

’
peo ple .

We th u s se e as I h ave el s ew h ere po i n ted o ut th at

, ,

Mo n o mo t apa w as n o t a pri n cipality but a pri n ce ,

’

n o t a n empire but a n e mpero r an d t h at h i s k i n g do m

’
,

O f S o fala fo rm e d a s o rt O f i s la n d e n cl o se d b y th e

bra n c h es O f t h e ab o ve de scribed rive r Th u s va n i sh e s

-
.

the fabul o u s empire O f Mo n o mo tapa w h ic h w as ,

’

s uppo s e d t o o ccup a reat part O f t h e i n teri o r a nd h as

y g ,

i n vai n be e n s o u g h t b y g e o g rap h er s fo r o ver t h ree

h u ndre d y ears B o t h fo rm s o f t h e w o r d h ave t h e s am e
.

m e an i n g t h e firs t c o mp o n e n t s B e rt a an d mo n o bei n g t h e
, , ,

o r d i n ar
y B a n tu w o r d s ( bu/a r m ba n d m u e n e m
,
w a na ) , ,
10 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

fo r l o rd c h ie f mas ter Th e sec o n d part e vi de n t ly

, ,
.

mean s mi n e fro m tapa t o di g e xcavate SO t h at B e no

,
’

, ,

mo t apa and Mo n o mo tapa w o ul d mea n Lo rd O f t h e

Mi ne s an appro priate title fo r t h e ruler O f t h e auri fero u s
,
’

R h o de sia n lan ds .
 C H A PT E R II

A N C I E N T R HO D E SI A
’
— I TS MO N U ME N TS A N D
‘ ’
BENT S

G O LD WO R K I N G S

B UT wit h th e decade n ce O f Po rtu g uese po wer i n S o uth

A frica all th i s w as fo rg o tte n an d t h e ve r y e x i st e n ce o f
,

t h e mi n e s and m o n ume n t s h ad fa de d fro m t h e mem o ry

o f ma n un til t h e y were r e d i s c o vered b y Adam R e n d ers

-

i n 1 86 8 a nd i n 1 8 7 1 ag ai n vi s ite d an d fo r t h e firs t tim e

, ,

s i n ce D e B arro s de s cribe d b y D r Carl Mauc h an d

,
.

Th o mas B ai n e s 7 B ut fo r t h e fir s t t h o ro ug h s urvey at
. ,

least o f t h e ch ie f cen tral g ro up O f buil d i ng s Gre a t

, ,

Z imbabwe near Vict o ria we are i ndebte d to th e di sti n

,
’
,

g u i s h e d arc h aeo l o g i s t t h e late , T h e o d o re B e n t w h o s e ,

classi cal wo rk Th e R ui n ed Cities O f Mash o n ala nd

,

( L o n d o n , w a s certai n l y t h e be s t a n d m o s t co m
preh en s ive bo o k O f re feren ce o n t h e w h o le s u bj ect till
t h e appeara n ce O f Me ss rs H all and Neal s s umptu o u s
’
.

vo lume .

L ike so ma ny O f h i s pre dece sso rs and we may no w , ,

a dd s ucce s s o rs B e n t w as s tro n l i n cli n ed t o a s cribe t h e

, , g y
rui n s t o th e S o ut h Arabian s an d SO stro ng l y impr e sse d ,
12 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

w as h e by th eir g reat ag e th at h e w as prepared t o ass i g n

t h em eve n t o a pre Sabaean ep o c h -
Th e cumulative
.

evi dence i s g reatl y i n favo ur o f th e g o l d di g g ers bei n g -

O f A rabia n o ri g i n befo r e t h e Sa ba e o
, p e r i o d i n ,

( p .B u t it i s u n n ece s s ary an d i n d ee d ,

impo ss ible t o g o so far back n o r wo ul d B en t h ave

,

writte n t h u s h ad h e k n o w n as we no w k n o w th at th e
, ,

S o ut h A rabia n ro ck i n scripti o ns partl y i n terprete d by

Mo r dt man n Gla ser an d o t h ers carry t h e Sabaea n and
, , ,

Mi n aean rec o rds back th o u s a nds o f y ears be fo re t h e n e w

e ra , th at i s i n to late N e o lith ic times E l sewh ere h e .

s peak s m o re cauti o u s l y a n d i n fact retract s so mew h at

,

fro m t h e pre e mi n en ce O f R h o des ia as t h e C h ie f g o l d

-

y i e l d i n g la n d O f a n tiquit y : H ere n ear t h,

e ea s t c o a st

O f A frica far n e arer to A rabia t h a n I n dia an d C h i n a

, , ,

a n d o th er place s wh ic h t h ey [ t h e Sabaea n s] were

,

accu st o m e d t o vi s it n o t o n ly i s th e re evi de n ce O f t h e
,

e x ten s ive pro d ucti o n O f g o l d but al s o evi de n c e O f a cult

,

k n o w n to A rabia and Ph oe n icia alike t e mple s built o n ,

accurate math ematical pri n ciple s c o n tai n i ng ki ndred ,

Obj e cts O f art meth o ds O f pr o duci n g g o l d k no w n t o h ave

,

be e n empl o y e d i n t h e a nci e n t wo rl d an d evi den c e O f a ,

v a s t p o pulati o n dev o ted t o t h e mi n i n f o l d

g O g .

A s t o t h e ve xe d que s ti o n O f t h e la n d O f O ph ir I do ,

n o t feel t h at it i s n ece ss ar
y t o g o i n t o t h e ar g ume n t s fO r

a n d a g ai n s t h ere Mash o n ala nd m ay h ave bee n t h e

.

land o f O ph ir o r it may n o t it may h ave be en t h e la nd

o f Pu n t o r it may n o t ; O ph ir an d Pu n t may be
i den tical an d bo th s ituated h ere o r t h ey may be b o th
, ,

el s ew h ere Th ere i s n o t e n o u g h e vi de n ce as far as I

‘

.
,

can se e to buil d up any t h eo ry o n t h e s e p o i n t s w h ic h

,
 BEN T S
’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E SI A ’
1 3

will sat i s fy th e m o re critical i n vesti g ati o n to wh ic h

s ubject s O f t h i s ki n d are s ubmitte d i n t h e pre se n t day .

All t h at we c a n s ati s fact o ril y es tabli s h i s t h at fro m t h i s .

co u n try t h e a n cie nt A rabia n s g o t a g reat deal O f g o l d

( p.

Si n c e th es e w o rds were pe nn ed muc h additi o n al

evi de n ce h as been pro d uced by t h e m o re e xte ns ive an d
sy s tematic s u r vey s O f t h e R h o d e s ia n la nds . B ut fe w
seri o us attempt s h ave bee n ma de t o utili se t h i s evi de n ce

i n t h e s o luti o n O f t h e d i ffi cult pro blem s a sso ciate d wit h

t h e n umero u s pre h i s to ric remai n s s trew n o ver th e reg i o n
-

betwee n th e Z ambes i and t h e L impo po Th e s ubj e ct .

remai n s practicall y as it w as le ft by B e nt and s cie n ce ,

s till wit h h o l ds a c o n vi n ci ng repl y t o t h e que sti o n s — Wh o

built th ese structures ? wh o wo rked t h e surro u n di ng g o l d
fie lds ? Was t h i s auri fero u s re g i o n a n cie n t R h o des ia
—
,

as we may n o w call i t — th e s o urce w h e n ce D avi d

’

S o l o m o n and H iram an d t h e Quee n o f S h eba an d

, , ,

A rabia it sel f d rew th eir g reat s to re o f th e preci o u s

,

m e tal s ? Was th i s i n a wo rd t h e O ph ir o r th e
, , ,

Havilah O f H o l y Writ
,

Nevert h ele ss so me a dvan ce h as bee n made ; several

wil d h y po th es es h ave bee n elimi n ated and alth o u g h o n e
,

o r tw o n e w C laima n t s — no tabl y t h e la n d o f Pu n t an d

n o r tlz e as t A r a bi a
- — h ave so mew h at u ne xpected ly made
th eir appeara n ce t h e i ss ues h ave bee n n arro wed do wn
,

t o abo ut five altern ative s ; t h e t w o j u s t me n ti o n ed ,

M a dza re I n dza ; t/ze M a lay Pe ni nsul a a nd

' '

R h o de si a . N O o t h er pr o ve na nc e i s an
y l o n g er th i n kable ,

an d I pr o p o se h ere t o pr o d uce fre sh evi de n ce w h ic h

,

s h o ul d s e ttl e t h e que s ti o n o n ce fo r all i n favo ur o f

 14 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

R h o de s ia as th e mai n so urce an d O f t h e H i my arites an d

,

t h eir Ph oe n icia n c o u s i n s as t h e c h ie f fo rwar der s o f t h e ,

G o l d O f O p h ir . A t t h e same time it will be made clear

th at O p h ir itsel f w as no t a g o l d pro duci n g la nd o r-
, ,

s trictl y S peaki n g a la n d at all but a s eap o rt t h e c h i e f

, , ,

Saba e a n empo rium o n t h e so uth c o a st O f A rabia w h ith e r ,

t h e preci o u s metal s a n d o t h e r exo tic s were fo rwar de d

a n d t h e n ce d i s tribute d o v e r t h e ea s tern w o rl d .

B e fo re leavi ng Rh o de s ia t o e xami n e t h e clai ms O f

,

h e r se veral rival s it will be c o n ve n ie n t t o briefly

,

s ummari s e t h e re s ult s O f t h e re s earc h e s t h at h ave bee n

made i n t h i s fiel d duri n g th e de cade th at h as elapse d

s i n c e t h e appeara n c e o f B e n t s w o rk
’
.

O ne O f th e m o s t i n telli g e n t O f rece n t e xpl o rers i n

Rh o de s ia i s certai n l y Mr F ra n kli n W h ite w h o h as
.
,

d e v o te d h i s atte n ti o n m o re e specially t o t h e D t D h lo -

( M amb o ) d i s trict ab o ut t h e h e a d waters O f t h e I n c i za

a ffl u e n t o f th e L impo p o so m e fi fty miles n o rt h e as t O f -

B ulaway o . Th e e xte n s ive g ro up O f rui n s h ere di s

co ve red are fully d es cribe d and ric h ly illu strate d i n a
paper c o mmu n icated b y th e e x pl o rer t o th e J o urn al ‘ ’

o f t h e A n t h r o p o l o g ical I n s titute fo r J u n e 190 1. Th e

r o u nd pla n sh o w s a mai n buil d i n r u h l h ape d
g g o g y gg e s -

35 y0 b 2 00 fe et ,t h e l o n g er a x i s ru n n i n
g n o rt h w e-
s t a n d
s o u t h ea s t
-
, with several o ute r en cl o sures an d i so late d
r up c o veri n g alt o g eth e r a v e ry lar e area a n d ivi
g o s, g , g n g
t h e impres s i o n t h at h e re w as a n e x te n s ive an d s tr o ng ly

fo rtified a g ricultural s ettl e me n t O f t h e fo rei g n trea sure

s e e kers . Th e o uter rampart s an d i nn er wall s wit h n arro w
,

a a e lab ri t h i e t h e f B e t m
’

p ss g s as y n n a s o s O n s Z i b a by e ,

are built o f s mall g ra n ite bl o ck s t h o s e O f t h e l o wer

,
16 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

tu n n el s S h a fts adits t h e remai n s o f well made ro ads

, , ,
-
,

an d al so pits o f o r e o n t h e s ite o f th e s e O ld ro ads ,

appare ntl y ready to be put i n t o wag g o n s Th i s o r e w as .

piled up with as muc h reg ularity as i f it h ad be e n

placed fo r strict measure me n t an d it wo ul d se em as i f ,

th es e wo rki ng s h ad be e n aba n do ned precipito u s l y by

t h e mi n ers I fo u nd i n o n e i ns ta n ce t h at a g allery h ad
.
, ,

bee n walled up with so li d maso n ry Th e n ative tribe s .

,

so fa r as I c o ul d a s certai n b y d ili g e n t i n quiry k new ,

n o th i n g as t o w h o t h e se a n cie nt mi n ers were and h ave ,

n o tra diti o n s re g ard i n g t h em 3 .

’

It appears fro m t h e care ful re s earc h e s O f Mess rs .

H all a nd Neal s pread o ver a c o ns i derable peri o d firs t

, ,

rec o rded i n th e B ulaway o C h ro n icle an d n o w em

‘
,
’

bo d ied i n t h e impo rtan t vo lum e re ferre d t o i n my

pre face th at n umero u s remai n s O f o ld wo rki ng s temples
, , ,

an d fo rtresse s o ccur i n t h e w h o le reg i o n betwee n

Pa n da ma Te n ka and Tati an d t h e n ce ea s twards n earl y
- -
,

t o t h e c o as t o r a t o tal area O f s o me
, square

miles Th e mi ne s pro perl y SO called th o u sa nds O f

.
, ,

w h ic h no w lie buried be ne ath a de n se veg etati o n o r ,

h ave bee n o bliterate d b y t h e acti o n O f t h e atm o s p h ere

an d ru n n i ng water s h ave an avera g e dept h o f fro m
,

3 0 t o 50 feet s o me eve
,
n e x cee d i n g 1 5
0 feet a n d it i s ,

estimated t h at g o l d to th e value O f h ad bee n

ex tracte d fro m o ne particular w o rki n g a fter maki ng all
all o wa nce fo r wa ste ful m e th o ds O f pro ducti o n D espite .

a g e n eral u n i fo rmity O f ty pe th e a sso ciate d structure s

,

prese n t va r y i n g d eg rees O f ex celle n ce i n t h eir desi g n ,

e xecuti o n an d o r n ame n tati o n an d a cl o se i n s pe cti o n

, ,

certai nl y p o i n t s at s everal s uccessive o ccupati o ns o f t h e

 BEN T S ’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E SI A ’
17

g o l d fie lds S i n c e t h e ere cti o n o f t h e Ol des t m o n u me n t s

-

w h ic h Me s s r s Hall a nd Neal t h i n k may date fr o m s o me

y e ar s b e f o re t h e n e w e r a We S h all se e t h at t h
. i s

e s ti mate lie s well wit h i n t h e limits O f pro bability a nd ,

al so th at as s u g g e sted by th e m t h e first pro spect o r s

, ,

w e re alm o st certai n l y t h e H im y arite s O f S o ut h Arabia ,

fo ll o we d late r b y t h e Ph oe n icia n s an d t h e n perh ap s a fte r , ,

a l o ng i n te rval by t h e Mo sl e m A rab s an d t h e Po rtu

,

g u e se .

Th e se i n vesti g ato rs d i s ti n g ui s h fo ur r e
d ili g e nt
c o g n i se d ty pe s O f re mai n s as u nder ,

1 Th o se O f t h e fir s t a n d be s t Z i mb ab y e
. peri o d ,

clas s o r ty p e
,
.

2 Th o s e O f t h e s ec o n d
. and s o mew h at
, i n feri o r
Z i mb ab y e ty pe .

3 T
. h o s e O f a lat e a n d d i s ti n ctl y d e ca d e n t Z i m b a b y e

ty pe .

4 .P eri o d w h e n l o cal race s e n d e av o ur e d w it h i l l ,

s ucce s s to ,
a do pt t h e Z i mb ab y e sty l e O f
arch ite cture .

Th e y e s timat e t h at t h e re a r e alt o g et h e r v e ry c on

s i de r ab ly o v e r five h u ndre d d i s ti n ct s et s O f a n ci e n t rui n s ,

all b u ilt d uri ng t h e th re e Z i mb ab y e p e ri o ds pro p e r a s ,

abo ve defi ne d a nd pre s e n ti n g t h e re c o g n i s ed fe atures O f

,

Z i mb ab y e arc h itectu re Th i s a n ci e n t c o l o ny th e y
‘ ’
. ,

r e mark w as evi de n tl y well o rg a n i se d a nd w as divi de d

, ,

i n to di strict s e ac h d i strict di s ti n ct fro m t h e o t h e rs e ac h

, ,

wit h i t s capital to w n po sse s s i ng i t s e x t e n s ive a n d we ll

,

defi n e d te mpl e remai n s an d n um e ro u s g o l d s m e lti n g

,
-

fur n ace s W h il e scatte re d b o t h n e ar a n d far aro u n d

.

e ac h O f t h e s e capital t o w n s w h o s e ma s s ive rui n s t o d ay -

g, C
18 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

r e se mble rui n ed citi e s a r e sc o re s O f rui n s O f S imilar

,

buil di n g s m o st ly with o ut t e mpl e s o r trac e s O f an cie n t

,

s melti n g o perati o n s wh ic h appear t o h ave served as

,

base s O f supplies fo r th e w o rk e rs o n t h e adj ace n t re e fs o r

s h e d g o l d ar e a s o r as t e mp o rary trea s ure s t o re s o r a s
-
, ,

re fu g e o r de fe n ce ag ai n s t attack s o f t h e s avag e n eg ro i d
race s w h o live d i n th e se territo ries an d fro m wh o m th e ,

s lave s w ere draw n w h o t o ile d fo r t h e ir ali e n tas k

,

masters .

‘
Th e c h ai n s O f a n cie n t fo rt s w h ic h o ccup y i s o late d
p o s iti o n s O f g re at strate g ical value at l o n g d i s tance s
fro m g o l d b e ari ng are as may b e e x plai n e d as fo rt s pr o
-
,

t e e ti n g ro ads e ach tre n di ng du e ea st n o t o n l y c o n n ecti n g

, ,

ce nt re s but lead i ng i n a w e ll de fin e d li n e c o n ti n ue d
,
-
,

i n Po rtu g ue s e t e rrito ry t o w ards t h e p o rt o f S o fala

T h e fo rts so me O fw h ic h mu st h ave o ccupi e d s e ve ral y e ars
,

i n buil d i n g with t h eir ma ss iv e w all s — s o me fi ftee n fe et

,

—
bro ad th eir i n tricate e ntra n c e s an d o t h er c h aracteri stic s ,

O f t h eir arc h it e cture pro ve t h at t h i s peo pl e c o n s i de re d

,

pro te cti o n t o b e O f primary impo rta n c e ’

.

A m o n g st t h e ca pital t o w n s e ac h s urro u n de d by ,

g o l d -
ree f d i s trict s are m e n ti o n e d ,

D b l o D lzl o fo r t h e
-
U ppe r In s i z a Valley .

M n uk w a n a
’
S o ut h B e li n g we fo r .

Ta ll fo r t h e G w a n d a di strict .

Ta tz fo r Macl o uts ie an d S h a sh i
'

M a r t zn a el a fo r Sabi
'
'
.

TIza ba s I ma mba fo r L o w e r S h a n g a n i .

K /ea mi fo r B ula w a y o d i s trict .

M any o f th e Obj ect s fo u n d ami d th e re fu se , or

 BE N T S ’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E SI A 19

b e n e at h th e c e me nt e d fl o o r s o f t h e buil di n g s a r e o f ,

q uit e e x cepti o n al i n t e re s t t o t h e a n t h r o p o l o g i s t n o l e s s

t h a n t o t h e h i st o ria n a n d ar c h mo l o g i st . S o me O f t h e
m o re imp o rta n t ar e s p e cifi e d i n t h e s ubj o i n e d bri e f
a cc o u n t O f a n u mb e r O f rui n s all O f w h ic h d ate w h o ll y
,

o r i n part fr o m t h e fir s t Z i mb ab y e p e ri o d an d h av e be e n ,

p er so n all y i n s pect e d b y M e ss r s H .all a n d Neal t o w

,
h o s e
co urt e sy I am i nde bt e d fo r t h e ir repro d ucti o n h ere .

Tb e Cb e eb R a i n s at t h e h e ad O f a w e ster n tributary
,

o f t h e B uly e i n B e li n g w e d i s trict ma ss ive w all s 3% fe e t

a t ba s e h i g h e s t s t ill 1 2 fe e t built o n a sy s tem O f c u rve s
, ,

e n tra n c e wall s ro u n de d all wit h t h e u s ual

,
batt e r bac k
bo t h i n s i de an d o ut s i de ; S h o w s pl e n di d w o rkma nsh ip
i n d ec o rati o n equal t o any w o r k O f t h i s peri o d mat e rial ,

ra n it e bl o c k s ar e a at lea s t h al f a n acr e are t h n l

g e o y
s tructure s y e t fo u n d t h at a r e c o mplet e l y c o vere d b o t h

i ns i de an d o ut s i de with de c o rati o n O f t h e C h e ck o r C h e ss
b o ard patt e r n ; pa nn i n g s O f t h e s o il y i e l de d so me fin e
l d n d part f s o li d g o l d o r n am e n t s.
g o a s O

Tlee M u ndi e R u i ns a g r o up O f fo ur rui n s t h ree mil e s

,

w e st o f t h e Mu nd i e R iv e r i n B e li n g we d i s trict wi t h i n a

mile ar e ve ry e xte n s iv e O ld iro n w o rki ng s e x te n d i n g ,

a le ng t h o f t w e n t y m il e s ; ma s s ive wall s O f t h e s ame

b atter as t h e Ol de st p o rti o n O f Great Z i mb aby e and ,

s ame e xcell e n t w o rkma n s h ip ; w e re t h e g o l d s melti n g -

ce n tr e fo r t h i s d i strict built o f g ra n ite bl o c k s wit h wall s ,

7 f ee t at ba s e ,
a n d 4 f e et at pre s e n t t o p ,
wit h c h e c k
o r n ame n tati o n y iel d e d alt o g et h e r 2 3 0 o z O f.
g o l d
o r n a men t s beate n g o l d g o l d n ail s a n d g o l d ba n g l e s
, , , ,

s o me wei h i n g 6 o z
g .eac h . Wit h an a n ci e n t s k e let o n

w ere fo u nd i n terre d g o l d o r n ame n ts weig h i ng 7 2 o z .

c2
20 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

C h arred remai n s o f u n buried peo pl e i ndicati n g a fi g h t ,

a n d ma s s acre O f t h e O l d o ccupiers al so S imilar s i g n s O f

—
c o n flict o uts i de o ne g ro up u n bu r ied remai ns to r n g o l d ,

wire ba ng les scatt e re d b e ads ( o ne g o l d bead wei g h i ng

,

1 I n t h e debr i s were h eaps O f g o l d crucibles a nd ,

o rti o n s o f bl o w pipe s an d five g o l d s melti n fur n ace

p g s
- -
,

s u n k i n t o t h e cem e n te d fl o o r with cak e s o f g o l d s till

,

i n t h e crucible s an d cake s o f g o l d ne ar t h e wai s t o f

,

so m e s kel e t o n s a s i f carrie d i n a p o uc h h a n g i n g o n
,

a belt .

Tb e M n u kw a n a R u i ns i n B eli n g we d i s trict c
’
, on ,

t a i ne d s kelet o n s O f a w o ma n an d a c h il d a nd 14 o z , .

o f g o l d o r n ame n t s buri e d wit h t h em ; t w o ve r y s mall

‘

baby s ba ng le s w e re al so fo u n d
’
H e re w as a c o vered’
.

e n tra n c e li k e t h at O f t h e Nurag h e rui n at O rtu i n

Sardi n ia t h e o n l y o n e O f i t s ki n d y e t fo u n d i n R h o desia
, .

( S e e t h e O rtu g r o up a s re s t o r
,e d b y Cima i n t h e H o n , .

A Wilm o t s Mo n o mo t apa p U nder a fl o o r w as

’ ’
. , .

muc h O ld po tte ry w ith as h es an d bo ne s g o l d be a ds a n d

, ,

p e ll e ts al so a ve ry larg e n umber O f bro k e n crucible s

,
‘

with g o l d i n t h e fl u x an d p o rti o n s o f bl o w pi pe s with -

g o l d o n t h e no z z l e s al s o d o uble b e ll s
g o l
‘
d r o s ette
-

, ,

wit h ri s i n g s un imag e a n d c o pp e r i n g o t , I n al l
’
.
,

7 2 o z .o f s melt e d g o l d certifi e d t
‘
o b e o f a h i g h e r

s ta n d ard value o f o l d t h a n t h at i n B riti s h l d c i

g g o o n

Th e ro se tt e O f b e at e n g o l d w ith su n imag e
’
ag e .
,

e mb o ss e d — a c o mm o n Obj e ct i n p h allic d e c o rati o n

re se mbl e s t h e k n o bs o n t h e s acr e d c o n e O f th e g reat

Ph oe n icia n Te mpl e o f t h e Su n at E me s a i n S y ria ;
e lev e n O f s uc h r o s e tt e s w e r e fo u n d at Gr e a t Z i mb a b e
y .

T/ze C/zu m R u i n s o n a k o pj e 200 y ar ds fro m w e s t

, .
 BEN T S ’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E S I A ’
21

s i de O f j u n cti o n O f Mal e ma an d Tuli rive rs i n Gwan da

d i strict h av e n ev e r b e e n d i s turb e d o r r e o ccupied a ft e r -

a ba n do n me n t b y t h e ir firs t o ccupa n t s ; c o n tai n e d larg e

q ua n titi e s O f O l d g o l d crucib le s wit

,
h g o l d s h o wi n g i n

t h e fl ux . U n de r an a nci e n t cemen te d fl o o r w as th e
s k e l e to n o f a ma n full y seve n fe e t h i h i n per fect s tat e
g ,

O f pre s ervati o n . O f t h e se re mai n s t h e s kull an arm an d , ,

a s h i n b o n e ( t h i s o ver t w o feet i n le ng t h ) were b r o u g h t ,

t o E n g la nd by t h e Ho n Maurice Gi ffo rd an d i n
.
,

F e bruary 1 896 h a n de d t o Pro fesso r Th a n e O f U n ivers ity

C o ll e g e Lo ndo n fo r e x ami n ati o n B ut n o th i n g furth er
, ,
.

a ppe ar s t o h av e bee n h eard o f t h em Me ss rs . Hall a nd

.

N eal i n fo rm u s ( p 10 5 .
) t h at at t h e M o n a s tery D iam o n d

Mi n e i n t h e O ra n g e R iver C o l o ny h ave b e e n fo u n d
, ,

g ia n t r e mai n s O f
g r e at a g ;e but SO little i s k n o w n O f
th i s find th at it w o ul d b e impo ss ible t o c o n n e ct th at
r ac e wit h t h e g ia n t re mai n s fo u n d i n R h o de s ia Ho w .

e ve r ,
i t i s imp o rta n t t o rememb e r t h at t h e Pro p h e t
Is aiah re fers t o t h e pe o pl e O f Taba ( t h e s u g g e s te d firs t
o ccupi e r s O f t h i s c o u n try ) as O f h i g h s tature Strabo . ,

Pli n y an d D i o do r us al s o s peak O f t h e Sabaea n s b e i n g

,

ph y s icall y ro bu st wh il e Pro fe ss o r R awli n so n s tates th at

,

t h e Ph oe n icia n s were rath er o v e r t h a n bel o w t h e avera g e

s ta n d ard O f h e i h t
’

g .

Th e g o l d ba n g l e s r o u n d t h e a n kle s O f t h e R h o de s ia n

g ia n t w e r e O f imm e n s e S i z e a,
n d wit h h i m were fo u n d
alto g e t h e r ab o ut s i xtee n o u n c e s O f plai n g o l d o r n ame n t s .

U n der o th er cem e n t fl o o rs w e re o th er s keleto n re mai n s ,

a l l wit h plai n g o l d o r n am e n t s b e s i d e s t w o g o l d ba n g l e s
, ,

e vi d e n tl y bel o n g i ng t o a s mall c h il d .

With th e C h um g ian t S h o ul d be c o mpared th e

22 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

remai n s O f He n N e kh t an E g y ptia n ki n g O f th e Th ird

,

D y n a sty ( abo ut B C ) de s cribed b y Mr C S My e r s

. . . . .

i n Ma n O cto ber 190 1 p 1 5 Hi s stature pro babl y

’

,
2 , . .

e x c e e de d 1 8 7 0 millim e tr e s w h il e t h e s kull w as u n u s uall y

’

, ,

bro ad fo r an E g y ptia n Th e bro ade r h e a de d race

.
-
,

appare n tl y r e pre se n te d b y th i s k i n g i s c o mm o n l y ,
‘

th o u g h t t o h av e arriv e d firs t i n th e N il e Vall e y at

K o pt o s fro m Pun t a la n d s acre d t o t h e later E g y ptia n s
, ,

th e S it u ati o n O f w h ic h it i s c o nj e cture d w as n e ar S o mali

la nd a n d t h e o pp o s ite c o a s t ( l b ) Th i s o ppo s ite c o as t .

i s S o uth A rabia w h e n c e al so cam e t h e H im y aritic

,

s ettler s i n R h o d e s i a .

Tlee Tb a be s I ma mba R u i ns o n n o rt h we s t s i de o f ,
-

t h e ra n g e O f l ik e n am e o v e rl o o k i n g t h e H artl e y H ill
,

R o a d 600 y ar ds O fl partl y O f t h e firs t Z i mbab y e peri o d

'

but wit h lat e r additi o n s o f t h e s e c o n d th ird a n d fo urt h , ,

peri o ds as at Dt D h l o an d K h am i
,
-
Th i s w as .

e vi d e n tl y a very lar g e g o l d s m e lti n g c e n tre a s p o rti o n s

-
,

O f ma n y t h o u sa n ds O f g o l d crucible s a n d bl o w pipe s O f -

t h e v e ry Ol de s t patt e r n wit h g o l d s till i n t h e fl u x w er e

, ,

fo u n d u n de r t h e pr e se n t fl o o r s Th e re ar e i n dubitabl e .

e vi d e n c e s t h at a v e ry g reat p o pulati o n r e s i d e d at o r
’
n e ar t h e s e rui n s It i s i n ci de n tall y m e n ti o n e d th at t h e
.

K i n g Mo mb o o f t h e Mo mb o p e ri o d live d h e re an d w as
, , ,

h ere flay e d alive by t h e A ma Swa z i p e o pl e -

.

Tb e M te l e q w a R u i n s i n t h e h ill s O f li k e n am e o n
’

, ,

t h e n o rt h ba n k O f t h e S h a n g a n i faci n g i t s c o n flue n c e ,

with t h e L o ng we B e s i de s n um e r o u s l at e r re mai n s o n e
.
,

s k e let o n w a s fo u n d buri e d wit h lb f l d al

3 o g o s o .

ma n y crucibl e s O f t h e v e ry Ol de st mak e S h o w i n g vi s ibl e ,

O ld i n fl u x an d
, g o l d ba n g le s wit h t h e Z i m b ab y e
24 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

rival s sh e h as so t o say bee n ruled o ut o f c o urt o n t h e

, , ,

as sumpti o n t h at sh e po sse sse s n eith e r t h e s ilver no r t h e ,

preci o us s to n e s no r th e peac o ck s me n ti o n ed i n Scrip t ure

, ,

am o ng s t t h e trea sures bro u g h t fro m abro ad (O p h ir ,

Th ars h i s h o r b o t h ) to t h e c o urts O f D avi d an d S o l o m o n

,
.

TO t he S ilve r d i fli c u l ty t h e a n s w e r i s t h at alt h o u g h ,

n o t y e t r e d i s c o vere d s ilver do e s o ccur i n R h o de s ia a s

-
, ,

w as well k n o w n t o t h e Po rtu g u e s e W h at say s D O S .

Sa n to s w h o k ne w t h e c o u n try and w as o ne O f t h e m o s t
, ,

tru stw o rth y O f all th eir writers ? I n h i s g raph ic acc o u n t

O f B ar e t t o s d i s a s tro u s e x p e d iti o n t o t h e m e talli fer o u s
’

la n ds O f t h e i nteri o r h e write s A lt h o u g h t h e c o u n try

i s ric h i n g o l d an d s i lve r mi n e s y e t t h e ir c o n te n t s ar e ,

n o t e a s il y Obtai n e d fo r t h e K affir s a r e pro h ibit e d u n de r

,

p e n alt y O f d e at h fr o m s h o wi n
g t h e mi n e s e it h e r t o t h e ir
n ei g h b o ur s o r t o fo re i n e rs A fart r O h i
’

g n d h e . o n n s

w ay t o t h e S ilv e r mi n e s at Ch i c o n a B are tt o w as o p ,

p o sed by t h e K i n g O f Mo ng as but de fe at e d h i m i n ,

S ev e ral battl e s 9 ’
.

A clu e t o t h e po s iti o n o f Ch i co n a w h ic h w a s r e ac h e d ,

an d fo r a S h o rt tim e h e l d b y B are tto i s a ffo r de d b y t h e ,

s tat e m e n t t h at h e s o o n a ft e r r e tur n e d t o S e n a w i t h t h e

r e mai n de r o f h i s fo rc e s S e n a i s w e ll k no w n an d i s
.
,

s till a Po rtu g u e se s tati o n o n th e ri g h t ba n k O f t h e

,

Zambe s i so me d i s ta n ce abo ve t h e Sh i r é c o n flue n ce so

, ,

t h at t h e s ilve r mi n e s w ill pro babl y b e fo u n d s o m e w h e re

i n Ma n icala n d w h ic h li e s i n Po rtu g ue s e t e rrit o ry j u s t
, ,

ea s t o f R h o de s ia I n dee d t h e K i n g do m O f Ma n ica
.
,
‘ ’

i s m e n ti o n e d b y D o s Sa nt o s w h o t e ll s u s t h at it w as ,

reac h e d by B are tt o i n a fe w d ay s a ft e r o ccupy i n g a n d

de s tro y i ng Z e mb o e capital O f t h e Jui t e v e ( a n o t h er title
,
 BEN T S ’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E S/A 2 5
o f th e Mo n o mo t apa alre a dy r e ferred t o ) Z e mbo e i s .
,

f c ur B arr S m b c t at
’

o o se d
, e o s y o a h i s o n e , o f t h e ,

n umer o u s Z i mb ab y e s o r ro y al kraal s o ccurri n g ev e ry

wh e re i n t h e auri fe ro u s di s trict s O ne i s alm o st te mpte d .

t o fii de nt i fy t h i s Z e mb o e de s tr o y e d b y B are tt o wit h t h e
, ,

rui n e d Z i mb aby e e x pl o red b y B e n t an d Swan Th at .

t h e Po rt ug ue se pa ss ed t h i s w ay i s evi de n t e n o u g h fr o m

t h e s tat e m e n t s b o t h O f W h ite w h o w as i n fo rm e d t h at ,

t w o s mall Po rtu g u e s e c an n o n an d a c o n s i derabl e qua n

t ity O f s ilver articl e s s uc h a s w o ul d be u s e d by t h e

,

J e s uit F at h e r s [S h o ul d be D o mi n ica n s ] w h o w o ul d
P d f d
’
a cc o mpa n a rtu u x p iti n wer u n at
y o g e s e e e o e o ,

Dt D h lo ( l oe c
-
it p
. , a n d o f Stuart w h o s pe ak s
.
,

o f
‘
g u n p o w d e r ’
i n t h e w o r k i n g s muc h fart h e r so ut h
be y o nd t h e L imp o p o O n t h e s tre ng t h o f t h i s di s co ve ry
. ,

Stuart g o e s so far as to attribute t h e se w o rki ng s to t h e

Po rtu g u e se w h o ar e h i st o ricall y k n o w n t o h ave h ad
,

ma ny trad i n g p o sse ss i o n s an d to h ave g ai n e d muc h ,

g o l d i n t h i s s ecti o n i n t h e se v e n t e e n t h ce n tur y M y .

r e a s o n fo r S O attributi n
g t h e s e w o rki n g s i s t h at t h e y
w e re acquai n t e d w it h th e u s e O f g u n po w de r He adds .
’

h o w e v e r t h at w h o e v e r were t h e mi n er s t h e fact re mai n s

, , ,

a n d i s o p e n t o all w h o will vi s it t h e c o un try t h at mi n i n g ,

o n a ve r y e x te n s ive s cale w as carrie d o n b y s o m e n ati o n

i n t h e pa s t 1 0’
.

I n t h i s c o n n ecti o n it sh o ul d be n o t e d th at i f S ilve r ,

h as n o t y e t bee n r e d i s c o ve re d i n R h o de s ia it i s k n o w n
-
,

t o o ccur i n t h e n e i g h b o uri n g T ra n s vaal w h ere it h as e v e n ,

b e e n mi ned i n re ce n t tim e s Th e se mi O ffici a l State s

.
-

ma n s Year B o o k fo r 190 1 p 2 26 i n fo rm s u s th at
’
-
’

,
.
,

w o rki n g fo r s ilve r l e a d and c o pper h as b e e n su spe n de d

, ,
26 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

i ce
s n Arg e n ti fe ro u s al so me n
l e ad mi n e s ar e

t i o n e d b y R eclu s ( vo l x iii p 209o f my E n g li s h ve r s i o n )

. . . .

H e nc e t h e s ilver iro n a n d l e ad m e n ti o n ed b y E z e ki e l
, ,
’

( x x vii . am o n g s t t h e multitu d e O f a l l k i n d o f ric h e s ,

’

s e n t b y Tar s h i sh t o Ty re mi g h t all h ave be e n pro cure d

,

i n R h o de s ia s i nc e Tar s h i s h it se l f w as pro babl y th e

,

pres e n t S o fala as w ill b e se e n fart h e r o n A t v 2 5t h e

, . .

s h ip s o f Tar s h i s h
’
are a g ai n re fe rre d t o alth o u g h stra ng e , ,

th e Vul g ate J e ro m e s Vul g ate s pea k s

’
to s ay - —
,

h ere o n l y o f n a v es ma r i s s h ip s o f t h e s e a w h ile th e

Tarsh i sh O f v 1 2 i s re n dere d Ca r l /zag i n e nse s

. Ca r t h a
i i n w it h a b o l dn e s s w h ic h S h o ul d be a c o m fo r t t o
g n a s

t h o s e w h o s till cli n g t o t h e aut h o ri se d v e rs i o n d espit e ,

al l i t s ad mitte d s h o rtc o mi ng s B ut t h i s by th e w ay ;
.

a nd m e re l y t o s h o w h o w care full e ve n t h e plai n e st

y
te x ts o f H o ly Writ h ave O ft e n t o b e h a n dl e d .

To uc h i ng t h e pre ci o u s s t o n e s w h ic h ar e s evera l ,

ti me s ( 1 K i n g s x .2 Ch r i x 81C ) me n ti o n e d i n t h e
. .

cl o se st c o n n ecti o n with t h e g o l d bro u g h t to S o l o m o n ,

but a r e a s sum e d n o t t o b e fo u n d i n R h o de s i a r e c e n t ,

e x pl o rati o n sh o w s o n t h e c o n trary t h at t h e y do o ccur

, , ,

a n d a r e d i s tribut e d o v e r wi de are a s Th e S o ut h A frica

.

C h arte re d C o mpa ny s R e p o rt fo r 190 1 s pe ak s O f rubi e s

’

tru e rubi e s t h o u g h O f s mall s i z e a n d i n s mall q ua ntiti e s

— .

Mo re de tail e d i n fo rmati o n i s s uppli e d by B e nt s as so ’

ciat e Mr R o b e rt M W Swan w h o r e vi s ited Z i mb a by e

, . . .
,
-

a n d e x pl o r e d m o s t O f t h e Ma s h o n a a n d Mat a b i l i l a n ds

b e tw e e n 1 8 91 a n d 1 896 a nd p o i nt s o u t t h at man y o f th e
,

n u me ro u s t e m pl e s o r w a y s i de sh ri n e s d i s c o v e re d b
y h i m
o ccur
‘
i n so m e d i s trict s a s be tw e e n Ma klo ut s i an d Tuli
, ,

w h ere t h e re s e e m s t o b e n o g o l d but cry stalli s e d quart z,

 BEN T S A N CI E N T R HOD E S I A
’ ‘ ’
27

mi n e ral s O f ma ny ki n ds an d so metimes t h e se are O f,

c o n s i de rable be auty Ma n y O f t h e pre ci o u s sto n e s

.

men ti o ne d i n R eve lati o n are fo u nd t h e re 11 He .

’

s u g g e s t s t h at t h e s tra n g er s came i n qu e s t O f g e m s as w e ll

a s o f o l d a n d t h e g em s t h em se lv e s seem t o c o rre s po n d
g ,

be s t wit h t h e bde llium an d th e o n y x st o n e as so ciated

‘ ’

w it h t h e g o l d O f H avila h i n G e n ii A t leas t t h i s . .

bde lli um ( ba o lakle) i s tran slate d k r us tal lo s ( ro ck cry stal )

’

b y t h e Septua g i n t i n Num i x wh ere it i s ag ai n

. .,

me n ti o n ed .

E ve n i f E duard Gla ser ” an d s o me o t h er s be ri g h t i n

re g ard i n g t h e B iblical bdelliu m n o t as a g e m but a g u m , , ,

t h i s so mewh at strai n ed i n terpretati o n will n o t weake n ,

but rat h e r s t re ng th e n th e claim s O f R h o des ia g um C o pal

, ,

O f a fin e q uality h avi n g b e e n a s taple e x p o rt fro m S o fal a

fo r time o ut O f mi nd Th e Septua g i n t ( A l e x a n dria n

.

Greek ) vers i o n h as a n tnr ax ( lit burn i ng c o al ) fo r .

‘ ’

G e n ii 1 2 t h i s term bei n g al so u se d fo r t h e carbu n cle

. . , ,

ruby an d g ar n e t wh ile i n m o de r n bo ta ny an d c o mm e rce

, ,

t he e x pre ss i o n s I n dia n A frica n Sicilia n b de llium

, , , ,

h ave re fere n c e t o fal se m y rrh an d vari o u s o th e r ki n ds

’
,

o f u m re s i n s B u t t h p i n t n ee d n o t d e tai n u s s i n c e
g e . o , ,

e it h e r w a
y R h o d,
e s ia m a y e x claim o u r w it h er s are
u nwru n g ’
.

B e fo re l e avi n g Rh o d e s i a fo r t h e pre se n t I sh o ul d
, ,

lik e t o p o i n t o ut th at am o n g s t man y O f t h e s urro u n di ng

B a n tu peo pl e s t h e A ma To n g a fo r i n sta n ce ab o u t
— -
, ,

D e lag o a B ay — a c o mm o n w o rd fo r t h e pr e ci o u s m e tal

i s g o l e w h ic h o f c o urs e i s th e E n g li sh w o rd g o l a F ro m
’
.
, , ,

t h e A rab a n d S w ah ili traders t h e Z ulu s h ave al so i n

rec e n t tim e s a do pt e d t h e A rabic w o rd ma l i m o n ey ,
’
28 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

w h ic h th ey co mm o n l y use i n t h e se n se b o th o f m o ne y
and -

g o l d. B u t it i s a r e markable fact t h at t h e

H o tt e n to t w o rd fo r g o l d ( n o t m o ne y ) i s ma r i w h ic h ,

b y t h e n o rmal i n t e rc h a ng e O f r a nd l 13 i s at o nc e re fe rable
t o t h e A rabic ma l i . I n t h e la ng uag e s O f t h e l o wer rac e s
s uc h t e rm s are alm o s t i n variabl l o a n w o r d s fr o m th o s e
y
-

o ft h eir m o re civili se d n e i g h b o ur s as fo r i n s ta n ce F i n n i s h
, , ,

fro m Germa n ic an d B a s que fro m L ati n

, B ut t h ere ar e .

no H o tte n t o t s i n R h o de s ia w h ic h ,
fo r pro babl y o ver,

t w o t h o u s a n d y ear s h as bee n alm o s t e x clu s ivel y i n

,

h abit e d by Mat ukas Ma kal akas B ec h uan as an d o t h e r

, , ,

B a ntu p e o pl e s . Ho w t h e n di d th e H o tten to t s c o me b y
, ,

t h i s S e mitic w o rd ? To e x plai n we mu st g o back far ,

m o re t h a n t w o t h o u s a n d y ears i n fact t o t h e H im y aritic

, ,

p eri o d ,w h e n t h e la n d c a n ea s il y be s h o w n t o h av e b e e n

o ccupi e d by H o tt e nto t tribe s wh o were a fterwards ,

d riv e n by t h e i n tru d i ng B a n tu s fr o m t h e n o rth t o t h eir

pre s e n t restricted do mai n i n t h e so uth we s t c o rn er O f -

t h e C o n ti n e n t . L ic h te n st e i n w as t h e first t o S h o w th i s ,

e arl
y i n t h e ei g h te e n t h ce n tur y w h e n h
, e pai d h i s fam o u s

vi s it t o t h e B ec h ua n as and n e arl y e ve r y wh ere fo u n d th e

,

rive rs and m o u n tai n s and o th er p e r mane n t g e o g raph ical

fe ature s b e ari n g H o tte n t o t n am e s Th e fo rmer pr e.
‘

se n c e O f th e H o tte n t o t B u sh man e lem e n t s all o ver

-

S o uth A frica i s pro ve d by t h e g e o g raph ical n o me n clature

o f th e r e g i o n s n o w o ccupi e d b t h e i n tru d i n g B a n tu s
y .

Th u s t h e n am e s o f m o s t waterc o ur se s c o n tai n s o me
d ialectic fo rm o f t h e w o r d i b (o b opo e b ap i ep , , , , ,

w h ic h i n H o tte n to t mea n s w a te r o r r i ve r as i n Ga r i b =
, , ,
-

g r e at w ater , ( t h e O ra n g e R iv e r ) H yg p a N o s o b M ol -
,
-
,

opo a n d o th er s Th e Wak Wak O f E d r i s i s ma p

’
-
, .
 BEN T S ’ ‘
A N CI E N T R HOD E SI A ’
29

w h ic h h as g r
SOe atl y puzzle d h i s t o rical g ge o rap h er s ,

may eve n b e th e B u s h ma n K w a K w a sh o wi ng t h e -
,

pre se n ce O f th ese abo ri g i n es o n th e ea st c o ast so uth ,

o f S o fala w h e n ce
,
“
l o ng befo re th e Po rtu g ues e circum
,

n avi g ati o n O f A frica th ey w e re d rive n back by K afir

,

”
trib e s .
14

Th e s tro n g wall s and ramparts rai se d by t h e

H i m y aritic mi n e rs at so ma n y strate g ical po i n ts i n th e
aur i fe ro u s d i s tricts were th ere fo re de fe ns ive wo rk s n o t ,

a g ai nst t h e warlike Zulu s w h o cam e muc h later but, ,

ag ai n s t t h e n o l e ss w arlike H o tte n t o t s o f t h o s e rem o t e

tim e s S o m e pe rh ap s rememb e ri n g t h e cri n g i n g n ature
.
, ,

O f t h e pre s e n t G r i q uas Go n aq u as , an d o t h e r d eba se d

,

H o tte n to t D utc h o r H o tte n to t K afir h al f bree ds may be

-
,
- -
,

i n cli n e d to s mil e at t h e epith e t h ere a pplied to t h e rac e .

B u t t h at t h ey w e re fo rmerl y a n e xtre mel y b e llic o s e

pe o ple i s w e ll attes t e d by th e h i sto ry o f t h eir full bl o o d -

Nama de s ce n da nts th ro u g h o ut th e n i n e tee n t h c e n tury

i n t h e ir pre se n t do mai n i n Gre at Namaqua a n d D amar a
L an ds Th u s i s e x plai ne d t h eir A rabia n w o rd fo r
.

o l d a n d i n th e e x pla n ati o n w e h ave a n o t h e r s tr o n

g , g
arg ume n t fo r t h e vas t an tiquity O f t h e fo re i g n g o l d
h u n ters i n a n cie n t R h o de s ia .
30 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R III

PE TE R S EG Y PT A N D T HE L AN D O F PU N T
’

IN h is l e tter to th e Tim e s abo ve re ferre d t o D r Peters ,

.

a d va n c e s vari o u s arg ume n t s i n s uppo rt o f a n e w t h eo ry

w h ic h se e m s at varia n c e with h i s admi ss i o n t h at man y

C ircum s ta n c e s
‘
mak e it h i g h l y pro babl e th at th e ’

buil ders O f t h e m o n umen t s a nd w o rkers O f t h e mi n e s

were Sabaea ns a race ve ry nearl y relat e d to th e
,

Ph oe n icia n s R ely i n g o n an E g y ptia n s tatu e tte wh ic h

’
.

h e fo u nd duri ng h i s las t e x p e d iti o n o f 1 8 99 an d o n t h e

,

d e taile d rec o r d o f t h e E gy ptia n Qu e e n Hat sh e psu s

'

fa m o u s e x p e d iti o n t o t h e l a nd o f Punt h e n o w i n fers

,

t h at O ph ir a n d Pu n t are o ne and t h e same la nd and ,

th at t h i s la n d w as t h e prese n t R h o des ia w h ic h w as
,

fi rs t settl e d b y t h e E g y ptia ns .

Th e c o u n try betwee n t h e Z ambe s i a n d Sabi I ,

take it i s th e O ph ir O f S o l o m o n s epo ch I believe th at

,
’
.

t h e fi n ds O f my la s t e x p e d i t i o n bri ng so m e e vi de n ce

th at Pu n t w as i ndeed t h e s ame c o u nt r y [ R h o des ia] I .

b elieve th at th e se mi n i ng d i strict s w e re o ri g i n all y

d i s co vered by t h e E g y ptia n s and were a n E g y ptia n
,

co l o ny th at t h e Ph oe n icia n e p o c h o f w h ic h ma ny m o re
,
3 2 THE GOLD OF OPHIR

l o ng b y an A rab A ll t h i s a g rees wit h th e acc o u nt o f

.

i t s fi n di n g
’
.

Th i s diag n o s i s w as ta k e n by D r Peters as .

a ddi ng m o re wei g h t to th e c o n clu s io n h e h ad draw n

fro m s uc h a fin d so uth o f t h e Zambe s i t h a n h i s o w n ,

o ri g i n al o pi n i o n Th at a s tatu e tte o f Th o t me s I I I
.
‘
.

[ o f t h e ei g h tee n t h d y n as t
y a n d n ep h,ew O f Quee n

Hat sh e psu] sh o ul d be fo u n d i n S o uth A frica i s i n de e d

very remarkable an d may w e ll lea d th e atte n ti o n O f
,

s c h o lar s to t h e t e o p e n i n g o f th e
-
Pu n t qu e s ti o n ’

T im e s A u g u s t 20
’

, ,

Wh y I do no t attach SO much impo rtan ce t o th i s

re lic wh atso ever o r wh o m so eve r it w as i n te n ded t o
,

re pre se n t I e xplai ned i n a lett e r t o t h e Time s ( Au g u st

,

1 5190 1 p o i n ti n g o ut t h at it c o ul d n o t p o s s ibl pr v
, ) y o e

an d ir e ct E g y ptia n i n flu e n ce i n S o ut h A frica Suc h

y .

a n o bj e ct mi g h t i n t h e C o urs e o f y ear s fin d i t s

w ay t h r o u g h a do ze n C h a n n e l s — t h e Ph oe n icia n traders ,

fo r i nsta n ce o r t h e Sabaea n s Mi n aea ns o r A x umite s

, , ,

t o a n y part O f t h e e a s t c o a s t an d t h e n c e to t h e i n teri o r
’
, .

R e g ardi ng t h e i de n tificati o n o f Pu n t with O p h i r ,

a n d i t s rem o val fro m S o ut h A rabia a n d S o malila n d t o

A u s tral A fr i c a I h av e t o po i n t o ut wit h t h e R e v A H
, , . . .

Say c e (a supreme auth o rity i n que sti o n s O f t h i s so rt )

t h at th e B iblical Cu sh e m
,

brac e s n o t o n l y t h e E t h i o pia
O f t h e cla ss ical g e o g rap h e rs but al so t h e s o ut h w e s t e r n
,
-

co ast O f Arabia and th e o pp o s ite c o a st O f A frica as we l l

[ S o malila n d] I t t
. h u s c o rre s p o nds t o t h e la n d O f PU N

O f t h e E g y ptia n m o n ume n ts as w ell as t o t h e K e s h o r

,

Et h i o pia [ t h e E g y ptian K es /e i s g e n erall y re g arde d as

t h e s a me a s t h e Cu sh O f G e n e s i s] I t w as i n h abit e d
.
 PE TE R S ’ ‘
E G YP T A N D THE LA N D OF P UN T ’
33

fo r th e m o st part by a w h ite race wh o se p h y s ical ,

ch aracte rs c o nne ct t h em with t h e E g yptia ns 15 .

’

A n d ag ai n :
,
E g y ptia n trad itio n po i n ted t o t h e
d ivi n e la nd o f A rabia F e li x as t h at fro m w h ic h

t h eir pri n cipal deities h ad mig rated Hath o r w as t h e .

g o d d e ss O f Pu n R a h a d ,j o ur n e y e d like t h e Ph oe n i x

fro m t h e A rabian la n d o f s pices Th e “

d ivi n e la nd
”
.

was S o ut h e r n A rabia t h e so urce O f t h e s weet s melli ng

,
-

i nc e n s e wh ic h w as o ffered t o t h e g o ds It w as al so .

t h e s o urce o f t h e s acre d tree s w h ic h t h e E g y ptia n s

plan ted b e s i de t h e temples o f th eir deities Th e .

mi g rati o n O f t h e deities impli e s th e mi g rati o n o f t h e ir

I n t h e ei g h tee nth dy n a s ty t h e
’
wo rsh ippers as well .

term Pun w as e xte n ded fro m S o uth A rabia to t h e

o pp o s ite c o a s t o f A frica t o So alila n d , I n c o l o ur m .
‘
,

fo r m a n d feature s t h e i n h abita n ts o f Pun re se mble t h e

, ,

i nh abita n ts o f E g y pt (i b p . .

H ere it h as t o be n o tic e d t h at t h e o ri g i nal Pu n t w as

S o uth A rabia ( Arabia F eli x Y e me n ) wh e n c e th e , ,

n am e w a s e x te nded t o S o malila n d d uri ng t h e e i g h tee n t h

dy n a s ty s ay abo ut 17 00 B ic N o w it mu s t b e as k e d
, ,
.
, ,

i f t h i s i an d o f Pu n t w as O p h ir a nd O p h ir R h o de s ia
‘

, ,
.

d i d t h e E g y ptia n s g e t th eir R a a nd t h eir Hat h o r an d ,

t h e ir o t h e r d eitie s as w e ll as t h eir g o l d fro m th i s

, ,

R h o de s ia w h ic h as abo ve s h o w n w as at t h at tim e
, , ,

s till i n h abited by B u sh ma n H o tte n to ts ? D i d th e y -

c o me t h em selves w ith t h eir la r es e t pe na tes fro m th a t

re g i on Were t h ey H o tte n to ts ? I am h er e re mi nde d
t h at so me early p h il o l g i t D r R ic h ar d Le p s iu s 6
o s s ,
1 .

am o n g st o t h ers h ave d i s c o vere d so me c o n n ecti o n

,

bet w e e n t h e H o tte n to t a n d E g y ptia n la ng uag es an d ,

D
34 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

Dr . Peters h im sel f a dduce s th i s very ass um pti o n i n

s uppo rt O f h i s view s .B ut t h e afl mi ty h as n o t bee n
'

co n firmed by lat e r re searc h a nd all s o u n d l i ng ui stic

,

s tu de n t s no w reg ard t h e g ul f betwee n t h e t w o

l a ng uag es as impas s able E g y ptian i s a memb e r O f t h e
.

Hamitic fam i l y wh ich appears t o h ave bra nc h ed O ff

,

a es
g ag o from a c o mm o n H am i t O S e mitic s t o c k ;
-

w h ile H o tte n t o t i s a la n g ua g e s n i g e ne r i s w it h n o ,

k no w n s tru ctural o r l e x ical ki nsh ip with any o th e r .

B ut D r . Peters place s m o re relia n ce o n t h e

d etaile d acc o u n t O f Quee n Hat s h e ps u s e x p e d iti o n
’

as illu s trate d o n t h e m o n um e n t s TO t h i s h e call s my

.

s e cial
p atte n ti o n , an d writ e s me A
( g u u s t 19 ,

‘
Th e repre se n tati o ns O f t h e Pu n t e x ped iti o n u nder
Hat se pu [ Hat sh e psu] a n y h o w pro ve t h at it w as an
e n t e rpri s e o ver se a ( ei g h t s h ip s a nd o n e b o at d h
) an t e ,

fre i g h t t h ere de pict e d may well h ave c o m e fro m S o uth

A frica (particularl y ivo ry an d g o l d al so g um s leo pard , ,

s ki n s , an d Th er e w as a g ira ffe al so an d o n ,

t h e m o n ume n t s i s fi g ure d a sh ip quite lik e a n A rab ,

d h o w o r larg e S ambuk bei n g laden at t h e Pu n t c o ast

,

wit h mg h ar i o t sh rub s ( fra n k in ce nse ) strai g h t backed ,

-

o xe n , me n wit h l o i n cl o th s c o stl y w o o ds ( e speciall y

-
,

e bo n y ) c o s metic s do g s
, ,
s lave s be s i de s t h e o t h er ware s
, ,

m e nti o n ed by D r Pete rs But all t h i s pro ves n o th i ng

. .

m o re th an th at t h i s Pu n t lay o n t h e A frica n s i de ,

A rabia bei ng e xclu de d by th e g ira ffe o xe n e b o ny a nd , , , ,

pre s umabl y th e S laves He n ce Glaser ( ii 298 ) i n fers

, . .

t h at Pu n t ( Pu n a PanO ) may be th e O po n e O f t h e
,

Periplu s Mari E y t h r ae i 17 ’
s r e xte ndi n g al o n g t h e eas t
,

So mali c o a st fr o m Cape Guard a fui to t h e equat o r wit h ,

PE TE R S E G YP T A N D THE LA N D OF P UN T 35
’ ‘ ’

a
‘
h i n terlan d tretch i ng fo r a ny di s ta nc e i n la n d
’
s .

B u t h e at t h e s ame time war n s us t h at it i s n o t t o be

i de n tifi e d with O p h ir as w as do n e by B ru g s c h w h o
, ,

w as i n duce d by t h e g ira ffe t o tra n s fer O p h ir it sel f fr o m

A s ia t o E a s t A frica.
A s g o l d i s me n ti o n ed am o ng s t t h e e xp o rts fr o m
Pu n t I may say th at i n my Opi n i o n t h e E g y p t ian s
, , ,

s el do m i f ever s e n t o ut e x pe d iti o n s speciall y fo r th e

, ,

p reci o u s metal T h e y h. a d ple n ty O f it at h o m e a n d ,

t h e fam o u s mi ne s i n t h e E lba H ill s o n t h e R e d Sea

faci ng Je ddah were w o rke d by t h e labo ri o u s cru sh i n g

p r o ce s s f o r l o n a
g g e s I n t h i s
. c o n n ecti o n D r P eter s .
’

fi g ur i n o ar med wit h a sc o urg e i n eac h h a nd and

, ,

picked up i n a mi n i n g d i strict h as a curi o u s s i g n ifica n c e

,
.

T h e abs e nce o f a cart o uc h e an d o th er features se e m

to Sh o w t h at it do e s no t repr e s e n t a ki n g o r any h i g h ,

O ffici al but rath e r a s uperi n te nd e n t O f mi n e s s uc h as

,

th o se o f E lba wh ere A g athar kh i de s tell s us th at th e

,

h aple s s S laves me n — w o me n an d ch il dre n were

, ,
—

w o rke d literall y t o de at h u n der the g a n g er s lash Th e ’

.

vivi d de scriptio n O f th eir li fe ag o ny wh ic h t o u ch e d

-
,

e ve n th e h ard h eart s o f t h o s e d ay s i s w o r th qu o ti ng :,

Th o se w h o are th u s c o n dem n ed t o pen al se r vitu de ,

bei ng very n u mero u s and all i n fetters are k e pt

, ,

co n sta n tl y at w o rk bo th by day and n i g h t with o ut an y ,

repo s e an d ar e jeal o u sly g uarded to preve n t th eir

,

e s cape ; fo r th e y are watc h ed by c o mpa n ie s O f b ar

barian so l diers w h o s peak a la ng uag e d i ffere nt fro m
th eirs t o pre ven t th eir wi n n i ng O f any o f th em o ver b y
,

friendl y i n terc o urs e o r appeal s t o t h eir h u ma n ity

U n kempt u n te nde d as t h ey are with o ut e ve n a r ag t o
, ,

0 2
36 THE G O LD OF OPHI R

h i de th eir s h ame , t h e aw ful mi sery O f th ese su fferers i s a.

s pectacl e t o m o ve t h e h ardest h eart N o n e O f th e m
.
,

wh eth er s ic k o r maimed o r ag e d n o t eve n weak

,

wo m e n meet w ith c o mpass i o n o r respit e all are fo rced

,

by bl o ws t o wo rk with o ut i n termi ss i o n u ntil th ey ex pire

u n d er t h e h a r d treatm e n t . So o verpo weri n g i s th eir
a ffl i cti o n t h at th ey ar e ever anticipati ng wo rse evil s i n
,

th e future a nd welc o me deat h as a bless e d c h a ng e fro m

,

li fe Th e g e neral superi n te nde nce O f t h e mi nes i s

.

e n tru s ted to t h e ar t i fice r w h o tests t h e s to ne and h e ,

d ire ct s t h e wo rkme n ; a n d t h e s tro ng es t i n limb O f

th o se w h o are do o med t o th i s h ard lo t break away th e
litteri marble with ir h ammer — d th at b
g n g o n s a n y
mai n fOr ce i n de fault O f s kill and e xcavate s ubterra nea n
—

pass ag e s no t i ndeed i n s trai g h t l i ne s but fo ll o wi n g t h e

, ,

cl e avag e i n t h e g leami ng ro ck Th e se wo rkmen as

. ,
.

t h e y pass t h eir time i n dar kn e ss o wi ng t o t h e turn i n g s i n

th es e g alleries wear lamps a ttach ed t o th eir fo reh eads

,
.

O n t h i s t h ey are u nc e a s i n g l y o ccupied u n de r t h e lash O f

'
-

an e xacti n g ta s k master Th en th e c h il d re n w h o ar e
.

u nder ag e pe netrate t h rou g h th e g all e ries i nt o th e

ch am bers h o ll o wed i n t h e ro ck and h avi n g labo ri o u s l y
,

t h r o w n up t h e falle n piece s c o n vey t h em i nto th e o pe n

, ,

t o a plac e s e t apar t fo r t h e pur po se o ut s i d e t h e pit s

’

mo uth .
’
13
 C H A PTE R IV

’
B U R TO N S
‘
G O LD MI N ES OF MID IA N

PASSI NG no w fro m L o wer E g y pt acro ss t h e R e d Se a

t o A rabia , w e co me at o n ce t o t h e fam o u s la nd O f Mad ia n
( M i d ia n ) w h
,
o s e C laim s t o be t h e auri fer o u s H avila h o r ,

perh aps t h e O p h ir itsel f O f Scripture were fir st se ri o u sl y

, ,

e xami n e d b y t h e late Sir R ic h ard B urt o n. He de al s

w it h t h e s ubject i n t wo s eparate w o r k s
. Th e G o l d
.Mi n es O f Mi d ian an d t h e R ui n e d Midi ani t i c Cities ,
’

1 8 7 8 an d
, Th e La nd O f M i d ian 1 8 7 9— an d

i t will be n o tic e d t h at t h e g l o wi n g title O f t h e fi rs t i s

a lrea dy t o n e d do w n i n t h e s ec o nd Th ere i s n o l o ng er
.

a ny t h i n g abo ut G o l d Mi n e s but o n l y t h e plai n La n d O f

’
,

Mi dia n and truth t o say th e eru dite but so mew h at erratic

,
’
, ,

a ut h o r s e e m s at la st t o W eary o f h i s t h eme leavi n g th e ,

i mpress i o n th at Mi d ian li k e s o many o th er clam o ro u s

,

co mpetito rs h as failed t o make g o o d h e r C laim . D uri ng

,

t h e firs t vi s it wh ic h h o wever las ted o n l y a fo rt ni g h t l i tt l e

, , , ,

o r n o th i n g w as bro u g h t t o li g h t a nd t h e e x pl o rer c
, andi d ly
a d mit s t h at Mi dia n i s n o t i n clu ded by Hebrew H o l y
‘

Writ i n auri fero u s Arabia y e t it h as e v i d e n ,

 THE G OLD OPHI R
”
38 OF

th e preci o u s metal i n abu ndan ce an d it still deserv e s a ,

place am o ng st t h e mi n i ng reg i o n s w h ic h i n Ol de n t im e
T h e G o l d Mi n e s
’ ’
made th e pen i n sula E u daem o n ‘
,

p 2
. W h ere i s t h e evi den ce O f th i s ? A n d i n any
cas e it may be as ked Ho w c o ul d th e pro ducts O f Mi d ian
, ,

a d i strict i n Ar a bi a Pe tr a e a h e lp to c o n fer t h e epith e t O f

,
‘

E u da e m o n ( F eli x H a pp y ) o n th e w h o le pe n i n s ula t o
, ,

w h ic h it w as never applied but alway s res tricted to th e ,

s o ut h we s ter n upla n ds ( A rabia F e l i x = Y e me n ? B urt o n

-
)
t h e n appeal s to h i s l e arn e d friend Spre ng er w h o i s , ,

as k e d t o c ast abo ut fo r evide n ces o f t h e o ccurre n c e O f

g o l d i n t h e pe n i n s ula am o n g s t t h e Greek R o ma n a n d , ,

A rab writ e rs B ut Spre n g er fi n ds li ttle bey o n d va g u e

.

s tateme n t s c o njectures s trai ne d et y m o l o g i e s rum o urs

, , ,

a n d rep o rt s an d as k s i n h i s be s t k no w n publi s h e d w o rk - 19
, , ,

Ar e we t o believe all t h e se re p o rt s t h e mere fa n ci e s o f ,

p o e ts o ne O f wh o m s i n g s wit h O rie ntal h y pe rbo le Th e

,
’

, ,

La nd O f t h e O q ay l r ai ne t h g o l d
D uri ng h i s seco nd e xped iti o n B urto n really di d ,

c o me up o n t w o a n ci e n t g o l d w o rki ng s and it will be ,

i n structive to h ear w h at h e h as t o say ab o ut th em O f .

t h e firs t at U mm c, l K a r ay at at t h e J ebe l e l Maru h e te ll s

- -
,

u s t h at fo r t h e fir st time d uri n g t h e w h o le j o ur n e y h ere

’

w ere t o be see n S i g n s O f sy st e matic and civili se d w o r k .

In ma ny part s t h e h ill h a s bec o me a mere sh ell We fo u nd .

o n t h e n ear s i de a l i n e o f air h o l e s cut i n t h e q uart z ro ck

-
,

a n d pre servi n
g a rim s u n k like t h at
,
O f a s arc o p h a g u s ,
.

to rec eive a c o ver Po ss ible it w as a precauti o n ag ai nst

.

t he plu n d er w h ic h rui n e d B ra z ilia n G o n g o SO C O O ne

’
.

p i t 6
, 0 f e et d eep h ad ,t w o mai
‘
n g all e rie s b o t h c h o k e d
w it h rubbi sh I n o t h er parts t h e s ur face w as pitt e d wit h
.
40 THE GOLD OF OP HI R

t he pi n h o l e a r e rai se d an d d e pre s se d c o n c e n tric circle s

-

“
i nte nde d fo r o rn ame n t ; an d t h e d i sh i n g t o ward s t h e rim
is reg ular as i f turn e d by mac h i ne ry We h ave se e n as .

t t h i like t h i s w o r k ; n o r s h all w e se e a n th i n
y e n o n g y g
( T
’
s uperi o r t o it i b p . . h i s remark i s e x plai n e d
b y t h e fact t h at alth o u g h a g reat trave ller B urt o n h ad
, ,

n o t vi s ite d t h e Z i mb aby e m o n ume n t s B u t it w o ul d be

.

a waste o f time t o c o mpare th e se p o o r remai n s O f th e

h al f barbar o u s N o rth A rabia n Ish maelite s w it h th o se O f
-

t h e culture d S o ut h A rabia n H im y arite s i n Rh o d e s ia .

F i nd i ng n o plac e i n N o rt h A rabia fo r t h e auri fe ro u s

Havilah and O ph ir O f Scripture B u r to n i n dul g e s i n t h e
,

co njecture th at i nste ad O f bei n g a s i n g le ma r t O p h ir

, ,

“
a pplie s t o s everal c o u n trie s ; t h at it m e a n s t h e Re d
La nd an epith et equally fitte d t o E aster n A frica and
”
,

t o We ster n In d ia an d t h at w h e n t h e s h ip s O f Tar sh i s h
”
a nd O p h ir are men ti o n ed t h e re feren ce i s t o larg e
,

ve ssel s built fo r bu ffeti n g t h e s t o rm y sea s O f t h e

Fart h e st We s t an d t h e F ar t h e st E as t Th u s i n th e
’
.

G o l d Mi n es p 26 2 a n d i n th e L a n d o f Mi dian p
-
,
’
.
,
’
.

23 9 ,
h e writ e s W h il s t o w n i n g t h at o n e O f t h e O p h i r s o r

R e d L a n ds l ay i n t h e m o de r n Yeme n so me w h ere ,

betwee n S h eba an d Hav i lah [K ba nl dn ] I se e n o re aso n ,

fo r c o n cl u d i ng t h at t h i s w as t h e o n l y O p h ir Had .

it bee n a s i n g l e larg e emp o rium o n th e R e d Sea w h ic h ,

c o llecte d t h e pro d uc e O f A rabia an d t h e e xpo r t s O f In dia

a n d O f We st [ r e a d E a s t ] A frica t h e trad iti o n al s ite
,

co ul d h ard l y h ave e scap e d t h e n o tice O f t h e i n quiri ng

A rabia n g eo g raph e rs O f th e Mi dd le Ag es Th e rui n s o f
.

a p o rt wo ul d h ave bee n fo u n d an d we sh o ul d n o t be ,

co mpell e d t h eo reticall y t o p o s tulate i t s e x i ste n c e Th e

’
.
 B UR TON S ’ ‘
GOLD M I N E S OF M I D I A N ’
4 1

l as t pa ssag e h as a peculiar s ig n ifican ce i n t h e prese n t

co nn ecti o n fo r it w ill be s ee n i n i t s pro pe r place t h at
,

t h i s larg e emp o rium an d i t s rui n s h ave bee n fo u n d

‘
,

a nd t h at very n e arl y w h ere B urt o n l o o ke d fo r t h em It .

will al so be s ee n w h y th i s po rt O f O p h ir so mewh ere ,

betwee n S h eba an d Havilah e scaped h i s n o tice as well

,
’

as t h at o f t h e i n quiri n g A rabia n g e o g rap h ers O f t h e

Mi ddle Ag e s .
’

Mean w h ile att e n ti o n may be called t o th e fact th at

‘

t h e E z i o n Geb e r w h ere S o l o m o n fo u n d ed h i s n aval

-
,

s tati o n a n d built h i s sh ip s o f Tars h i s h s t o o d n ear t h e

’
,

h ead o f t h e Gul f o f A kaba o n t h e c o ast o f Mi dia n Th i s .

d i s trict i s t h er e fo re at o n c e e x clu de d s i n ce it wo ul d be
,

a b s urd t o s upp o s e th at S h ip s were bui l t o n t h e c o a s t O f

Mi di an t o reac h t h e Havilah Tarsh i sh o r O ph ir g o l d

, ,

fiel ds i n t h e Mi d ia n upla nds 21 .

Th us B urt o n s G o l d Mi n e s O f Mi dian may n o w

’ ’
'

be d i s mi ssed S i n c e it i s Obvi o u s th at t h e pres umabl y

,

i ns pire d writer c o ul d n o t p o ss ibl y h ave h ad Mi dia n i n

h i s mi n d w h e n i n Ge ne s i s x h e su dd e n l y i ntro duce d
.

Havilah w h ere t h e re i s g o l d .
’
 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

C H A PT E R V
HAV I L A H A N D O PH1R
’ ‘ ’
G LA SE R S

MY po s iti o n w o ul d O f c o urse be g reatly s tre ng th ened

i f A rabia it sel f co ul d b e as summaril y d i s mi ss ed as t h e
La nd o f Mi dia n o n i t s n o rth wes t fro nti e r and i f w e -
,

c o ul d accept with o ut furt h er e n quiry t h e curren t state

me n t s th at t h ere i s no g o ld i n t h e pen i n sul a B ut i n !

po i n t o f fact t h e m o st c o n tradicto r y vi e w s co n ti n u e to pre

vail eve n am o n g s t th e g re ate s t auth o riti e s o n t h i s v ery
s ubj ect O wi ng partl y t o t h e i n acce ss ible n ature O f t h e
.

la n d and partl y to t h e fa n atici s m o f i t s n o mad i n h ab i

,

tan ts a g re at part o f t h e i n teri o r still re mai ns alm o s t a

,

te r m i n c og n i ta s o t h at a lar g e fi e l d i s le ft fo r c o nj e cture
,
.

Ho w h o pe l e s s l y irrec o n cilabl e a r e t h e as serti o n s O f

writers w h o o u g h t t o k n o w will be plac e d i n a vi vi d
‘ ’

li g h t by t h e subj o i n ed pass ag e s d i spo se d s i de by S i de

fo r c o n ve n ie nce o f c o mpari so n

Go l d i n A r a bi a N o Go l d i n A r abi a

I t w as th e A r ab i an s abo v e all We h a ve th e auth o r i t y Of

w h o l av i sh e d a mo ng s t th e nat i o n s N i e buh r , t h at th e pr e c
i o us me tal s
mo st o f th e g o l d o c cur r i ng i n ar e no t fo und o r k n o w n to e xi st i n

anci e nt ti me s. — Spr e ng e r , op. c

i t. Ar abia , w hi c
h h as no mi ne s e i th e r
p . 299. Of g o l d o r s i l ve r .
’
Cr i g h t o n , Hi st .

He r e [ Ar abi a] w as a fl o ur i sh i n
g o f A r abi a , i i . 403.
 G L A SE R S
’ ‘
HAVIL A H AN D OPHI R
’
43

Go l d i n A r abi a No Go ld i n A r abi a

o l d e xpo r t t r ade , and th e r ts G o ld r e all y ne v e r e xi st e d e i t h e r

g se a
po

Of th e famo us aur i fe r o us l an d Of i n Ar ab i a , or in an y i sland al o ng i ts

O ph i r ar e to be so ug h t no w h e r e c
o asts.
’
And, N o g o l d, no r t r ace

but i n East A r ab i a.
’ — G l ase r , p
o . o f g o l d- mi ne s ,
h as be e n di sco ve r e d

c
i t . p. 84 . i n Ar ab i a.
’
—Smi th ’
s D i e t. of th e

Andth e Pe r i pl us i s q uo te d to B i bl e , ’
s.71. Oplzi r .
r o ve th at g o ld w as ac t ual ly e x
p
p o r te d to I n di a i tse l f ( B ar yg az a , th e

p r e se n t Bar o ch e ) fr o m O mmana and

o th e r o l d Ar ab i an se apo r t s — I b.

p 80..

wo n d er t h at Glas er i s h im sel f perple xed i ndeed

NO ,

d rive n alm o s t t o de sp e rati o n by s uc h c o n flicti n g state ,

me n t s e xcl aimi n g : It mi g h t alm o st s ee m as i f o n every

,

o n e O f my H im y aritic s t o n e s w e r e c h i se lle d t h e w o r ds
L as c i a te og n i spe r a nz a vo i e li e e n tr a te ( i b p 3 . .

W h at fo ll o w s i s h i g h ly C h aracteri st ic W h e n at t h e ve ry .

g at e s O f h e ll it s el f h e seem s t o s e e a
, g lim mer O f l i g h t
wh ic h may l e a d h i m strai g h t t o t h e E arth ly Parad i se
t h e real B iblical Para d i s e wit h i t s Pi so n t h e g o l de n , ,

H avilah an d t h e res t SO away with all th e se h elli sh

— ‘

t h o u g h t s E d e n th o u faire s t O f all g i ft s o f a ki ndl y G o d

, ,

be t h o u g re e te d by me ’

Th i s mea ns i n le ss ec s tatic la n g ua g e t h at h e re all y

t h i n k s h e h as fo u nd i n N o rth Ce ntral A rabia t h e l o n g
l o s t s ite o f th e t e rre strial Para di s e i n t h i s n o w S i len t ,

d
wil r e e n ss t h e v e ry Pi s o n — th e Wa dy c d D aw as ir -

th at e nco mpasse t h t h e wh o le la n d O f Havilah wh e re ,

t h e re i s g o l d ( G e n ii an d h ard b y th e la n d Of
’
. .

O p h ir wit h i t s h ave n s and h arbo urs fo rm e rl y i n de e d ,

o n t h e e a st but lat e l
!

, y (s ome y e ar s a g )
o tra n s ferre d
t o t h e we st S i de O f t h e n ei g h b o uri n g Pers ia n Gul f SO .

at l e a s t I u n de rs ta n d h i m t o mean fo r t h e arg um e n t , ,
 THE G OLD OPHI R
‘
44 OF

o ccu py i ng many cl o sel y pri n te d pag es and s uppo rte d

b y a b o u ndle ss wealth O f l e ar n i n g i s n o t ea sy t o fo ll o w , .

A t firs t s i g h t it i s no t clear w h y O p h ir h as t o be
l o cated o ri g i nally o n th e ea st an d th e n sh i fted t o th e
w e st s i de O f t h e Gul f. B u t t h e reaso n i s be cau se i n
N o rth o r Ce ntral A rab i a n o w o rd c o ul d be fo u n d e ty mo
l o g ically c o n nected with O p h ir H e nce it h as t o be
‘
.
’

s o u g h t fa rt h er ea st w h e re t h e Apy r o n men ti o n ed by
,

D i o do r us an d o t h ers will se rve Th i s A py r o n g o l d i s

’
-
.

e vi d e n tl y O ph i r i t i c o l d n d w h e n O ph ir
g a

w as fo rg o tte n a po pular Gree k ety m o l o g y w as fo u n d

fo r Api a ” Th e n re fe rri n g t o La sse n a nd Ritte r s
’

s u g e s ti o n abo ut A bli zr a e a s t O f t h e I n d u s G la er
‘

g ,
s IS ,

d i s po se d t o c o nj ecture th at t h e n ame s O p h ir A pira ak ,

-
,

A pira K h api r a Api r us Cab i r us a nd A bh i r a are i de n tical

, , , ,

(p . H e a dd s : I n t h i s c o n
‘
n ecti o n I rec o mme n d
t h e ph il o l o g i st s t o e n quire w h eth e r a fter all t h e Greek

w o rd oj n si po s [ t h e o rdi n a r y Gre e k term fo r c o n ti n e nt

’
- -
,

mai n la n d] w h ich i n n earl y all th e passag es O f th e

,

Periplu s sh o ul d apparen tl y b e tra n s late d slt o r e s t r a n d , ,

c o as t i s n o t s o meh o w c o n n ected wit h t h e o ri i n al Api r

, g ,

Ofi r SO t h at th i s wo rd may s trictl y s peaki ng c o rre spo n d

,

t o o u r w o rd s eabo ard

Carl R itter al so be fo re h e fi n all y deci ded fo r S o uth

,

A rabia as we sh all se e sh o wed s tro n g velleitie s fo r an

, ,

I n d ia n O ph ir i n fluen ced larg el y b y th ese s ame e t y mo

,

l o g ie s O n t h i s po i n t D r Pete r s h as so me i n structive
. .

remark s (op c i t. p
. .L asse n and R itter reco g n i se
t h e name O p h i r i n th e peo ple called A bh i r a at t h e
m o ut h o f th e In du s I t w as t h e n eare st I ndian c o as t
.

fo r t h e Ph oe n icia n s and h ere t h ey C o ul d find st o re s o f

,
 GL A SE R S ’ ‘
HA VI L AH AN D OPHI R ’
4 5
t h e g o o ds rth and th e H imalay a s s uc h a s g o l d
O f t h e no ,

a n d bd ellium a n d t h o s e O f t h e s o ut h s uc h as s a n dalw o o d , ,

& c Th e se A bhi r a with ma ny o th ers O f th e ir tribes

.
, ,

wh ic h a t t h e s ame time repres e n ted d i ffere n t cas t e s ,

were a ls o s ettl e d i n th e n o rth e rn Pu njab but mi g rate d ,

th e n c e i n a so ut h ern dire cti o n wh en B rah man ic [ H i n du ] ,

c o l o n i e s O f t h e very e arlie s t times s till le d a p e ace ful

pas to ral e x i ste nce an d t h e nc e th e se A b h i r a first reac h ed
,

th e c o a st Th ey mu s t t h e re fo re bel o ng t o t h e
.

O l de st B r ah man i ctrib e s de sc e n d an t s O f I n d ia n A ry a s
'

, ,

a n d h e l d s wa y i n So l o m o n s time o ver t h at c o a s t s o th at
’

t h e n ame Oph ir m
,

u s t h ave bee n derived fro m th em .

Th eir mi g rati o n t o t h e m o ut h o f t h e In du s mu s t h av e :

tak e n plac e w it h i n t h e Seco n d mill e nn ium B .C. ’

Th e n R itter pro c ee ds wit h bril l ia n t i ng e n uity a n d ,

wit h h i s v as t k n o wledge wh ich embraces t h e e n tire

°

w o rl d to furn i sh t h e pro o f th at all t h e g o o ds e n um e rated

,

i n t h e O p h ir v o y ag es were pro curable at t h e m o ut h s

o f th e I ndu s It i s n o t n e ces sary t o o ur r e se arc h t o
.

fo ll o w hi m i n t h e detail s O f h i s arg ume n t s I t i s s ufl i .

‘

cien t t o s tate t h at Carl R itte r h as pro ved th a t g o l d ,

S i lver ivo ry sa ndalwo o d p e ac o ck s and preci o u s sto ne s

, , , ,

c o ul d be pro cured i n t h e c o u ntry O f t h e an ci e n t A bir

A b h i r a] an d t h at c o n s eque n tl y it c o ul d well h av b e
[ , , e e, n

t h e Obj ectiv e o f t h e O p h ir vo y a g es Neve rth el e ss t h e .

questi o n i s n o t so l ve d t h ere by h o w t h e J e ws Co ul d ,

h ave pai d t h e A bir fo r s uc h e no rm o u s q ua n titi es o f g o l d

“

as t h o se me n tio n e d i n t h e O l d Te s tam en t .

‘
R itter h im se l f ca n no t e x pl ai n h o w an ag ricultural
c o un try like So l o m o n s Is ra e l c o ul d h av e pai d a pa sto ral
’

peo ple b y barter fo r s uch vast treasure s I am . .

46 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

pe rso nall y c o n vi nced th at mi n i ng e nterpris e w as t h e

mai n Object o f t h e O ph ir vo y ag e i f s uc h vas t s to re s o f ,

l d a s 4 20 o r 4 5 0 k i k ka r s re re s e n te d t h e re s ult O f
g o p
a s i n g le e xped iti o n Th at t h e c o nj ecture O f t h e
.

acqui s iti o n o f th ese mass e s O f g o l d by barter i s a di fli cult

ue s t i o n fo r t h e I ndia n th e o r y i s a d mitte d b R itter
q y
h im se l f
’
.

In all t h i s D r Peters s ta n ds o n s ure g ro u nd a n d w e

.
,

Sh al l S ee i n t h e n e x t c h apt e r h o w t h e di f ficulty i s o ver

co me an d at t h e s ame time h o w impo ss ibl e it i s t o
,

fo rmulat e any co n vi n ci ng th e o ry w h ich leaves t h e O ld

R h o d es ia n g o l d w o rki n g s o ut O f c o n s i derati o n
-
B ut t h e .

A b h i r as w h o h ave tro ubled c o mme n tato rs fo r a l o n g

,

t im e c
, an be d i s p o se d O f eve n i n a m o re e f fective w ay .

Th e n ame i s no t tribal o r et h ical at all but purel y so cial , .

A bai r with i ts varia n t A /zi r i s t h e de si g nati o n O f t h e

, ,

w i de s pre a d cas te o f c o w h er ds and t h o se Abh i r s sp o ke n

,

o f by t h e Greek writers were merel y t h e pa st o ral pe o pl e s

w h o o ccupied and s till o ccupy t h e ric h g razi ng g ro u n ds

a bo ut t h e ba n k s O f t h e Lo wer Indu s a nd th e n ce ,

t o wards t h e l o wer s l o pes O f t h e Suleim an ra n g e Wit h .

O ph ir t h e w o rd h ad no m o re relatio n th a n h ad th e s e
ru de g razer s t h em selve s wi th th e c o stl y wares O f S o lo m o n
a n d H iram .

A cc o rdi ng t o t h e ce ns u s O f 1891 all t h e Ah irs

n umbere d an d Mr W Cro o k e T ri e
( b d
‘
. . s a n

Cas tes i 5 , 0) tell s us th at th i s pa st o ral ca s te

’
. w as
‘

fo rmerly O f muc h g re ater c o n s i derati o n i n Ind ia t h a n it

i s at pre se n t In t h e R am ay ana and Mah ab h arata t h e
.

A bh i r as i n t h e wes t ar e s po ke n O f and i n t h e Pa r ani k

G e o g raph y th e c o u n try o n th e western c o a s t O f In dia
 48 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

e xpo rt o f g o l d ( p .it c o ul d o n l y h ave be e n u n der

th e later As sy ria n rulers w h o h ad s pre ad t h e ir S way o ver
,

t h e Pers ia n Gul fan d s urro u n d i n g la nd s but n o t o ri g i n all y ,

(4 000 t o 1 000 B C ) w h e
. n . t h e H im y arite s a n d t h e i r

Ph oe n icia n s ucce s s o rs do mi n ate d i n t h e In d ia n O cea n ,

a nd d rew t h eir s upplie s fro m R h o de s ia a n d n o t fro m

C e n tral A rabia wh ere th ere a r e n o m o num e n ts o r any

,

O ld w o rki n g s w o rt h m e n ti o n i n g .

Neverth e le ss Glase r h as take n imme n se tro uble t o

,

make g o o d t h e claim s O f t h e A rabia n Havila h wh ic h h e ,

i de n tifi e s w ith t h e Je mama d i strict i n a nd abo ut t h e ,

Wady cd D aw as ir ba s i n A s t h i s appears to h ave b e e n

-
.

a s o m e w h at n arro w tract it may b e ta k e n i n a wi de r ,

se n s e a s t h e s p e cial g o l d la n d O f t h e a n ci e n t s h e nce ,

w it h o ut do ubt i s t o b e i de n tifi e d w it h t h e B iblical

‘

H avilah as I h a ve do n e ( p
,
’
He n c e al so Spre ng e r
.

i s wr o ng ,
D elitz sc h i s wro ng eve r y bo dy i s wro ng , ,

w h o l o o k s fo r t h e g o l de n H avila h a ny w h e re e xc e pt i n

A rabi a .

B ut t o arrive at th i s re s ult so m e s trai n i n g i s n e e d e d .

Th u s 1 Sam x v 7 : A n d Saul s m o te t h e A mal e kite s

‘
. .

f r o m H a v ila h u n til t h o u c o m e s t t o S h ur t h at i s o ve r
,

ag ai n s t E gy pt n o t s uiti ng t h e arg um e n t Ha e i l a /t i s
.

’
, ,

c h an g e d t o Ha ki l a/t fo r t he firs t tim e as fa r as I k n o w

2 3
, , ,

by a y n c o mme n tat o r T h e w . o r d it s e l f i s s tate d t o b e

u ndo ubtedl y i de n tical i n part ( t h e i lw e i se ‘

with t h e
M él ’
n k lt a O f t h e cu n e i fo rm i n s cri p t i o n s w h i ch alr e a d y
i e l de d g o l d an d n sb n w o o d (a l mug g i m) i n t h e tim e O f
y
— B h i d tit d
G ud r ( 2 8 0 0 3 00 0 u t t e e n y o e s n o t
‘

a s

require o ne term t o be Co mpl e te l y c o v e re d by t h e o th e r .

O n th e c o n trar y a ,
s e cti o n o n l y O f Havila h w o ul d appea r
 GL A SE R S
’ ‘
HA VI L A H AND OPHI R ’
49

t o h ave bee n called Mé lukh a by t h e A ssy rian s Mag a n .

w as i ts s eab o ar d j u s t a s O p h ir i s t o be take n a s t h e
,

se abo ard O f Hav i l ah ( p

’
Ho w can th i s be s i nc e
.
,

n earl y all A ssy ri o l o g i s ts take Mag a n t o be t h e Si n ai

Pe n i ns ul a w h ic h lies n o t o n t h e we s t s i de O f th e Pers ian

,

Gul f but at t h e h ead o f t h e R e d Sea ? B ut i n G e n x

, . .
'

t h ere ar e t w o Havilah s o n e a so n O f Cu sh th ere fo re a

, ,

Hamite (v . t h e o t h er a de sc e n da n t O f J o kta n t h ere ,

fo re a S e mite ( v . SO n o w t h e firs t Cu sh i s c o rrected

with t h e A s sy ri o l o g i sts to K as li w h o be fo re 2 300 B C
, . .

i s me t i n B aby l o n ia an d later ( s po ra d icall y ) i n E lam

,

( P er s ia.
) T h e C h al d aea n s t h em s elve s
[ a Semitic trib e

o ri g i n all y abo ut t h e h ea d o f t h e Pers ia n Gul f] were a

peo pl e a k i n to t h ese K as h i te s (K a sh du Heb K as di m) , . .

Th e Mah ra s al so [ w h o m w e S h all meet a g ai n i n a m o st

impo rtan t c o n necti o n ] are a s urvivi ng rem na nt o f t h e
K ash i t e abo ri g i n e s i n A rabia A l l are t h e re fo re , ,

pr e s umabl y Semite s a n d th e O ld di fli cul ty o f Hamitic

,
‘

Cu sh ites an d Semitic Cu sh es i s th u s g o t o ver Th i s i s .

certai n l y better t h a n Say c e s arrang eme nt w h o firs t tell s

’

us th a t th e et h n o l o g i s t mu s t be c o n te n t t o leave th e so n s 94

O f N o ah t o t h e h i st o ria n o r t h e o l o g ia n an d t h e n pro p o se s
’

a s c h eme O fclass ificati o n i n wh ic h t h e E g y ptia n Hamite s

,

are g ro uped with t h e Ph oe n icia n and S o ut h A rabia n

Semites all as Hamites Hi s e xplan ati o n o f t h e t w o
, .

H avilah s i s al so remar kable : Th e S o uth A rabian tribe

O f S h eba s prea d far t o t h e n o rt h th r o u g h th e s a n dy

desert O f Havilah [ t h i s i s Glaser s Paradi s e an d fo u nd e d

’

a ki ng do m w h ic h came i n to c o n flict with A ssy ria i n th e

d ay s O f Ti g lat h pi le se r and Sarg o n
-
I t i s C o nsequen tl y
.

n ame d t w i ce o n ce as a pe o pl e O f t h e so ut h u n de r t h e
,

E
50 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

h e ad Of HA M o nce a s a p e o pl e O f t h e ce n tre u nder t h e

, ,

h ea d O f S HE M ( p . Th i s i s like S ay i n g th at w h e n
t h e E n g li sh we n t t o N e w E n g la nd a n d cam e i n t o

c o n flict with th e A l g o n qui n s t h ey became R e d In dia n s .

B ut Say ce i s no t a s y stemati s t a n d h e r e deem s t h i s

,

lap se by el sewh ere fran kly s tati ng t h at G e n x lay s no . .

‘

C laim t o be an eth no l o g ical rec o rd O n t h e c o n trar y . ,

it tell s us as plai n ly as la n g uag e can speak th at with

eth n o l o g y a nd t h e e t h n o l o g i s t it h as n o th i ng to do .

Th e re may be et h n o l o g ical do cume n t s i n t h e B ible but ,

t h e te n t h c h apt e r O f G e n e s i s i s n o t o n e O f t h em ( p .

A n d el se w h e re I t i s de s criptive m e r e l y It s mai n

p urp o s e i s g g p
e o r a lzi c
a l ( pp 39
.

R eturn i n g t o Gla s er a cl o se r i de n ti ficati o n O f t h e

,

Pi so n i s att e mpted b y bri n g i n g it i n to c o nn ecti o n with

t h e F a i s /t a n O f t h e Sabaea n ro ck i n s cripti o n s re fe re n ce ,

bei n g g iven to h i s o w n n umbers 5 ,

29 926 & c Th e w o rd
, , .
,

h e tell s u s— an d h e i s ad mittedl y t h e firs t o f m o dern

H im y aritic s c h o lars m e a n s de press i o n wil dern ess o r
—
, ,

t h e lik e a n s we ri ng t o t h e later ( K o ra n ic ) A rabic e l fa i slt

’
.
,

We are th ere fo re j u stified i n c o n n e cti ng t h e d i s trict O f

F a i s/zdn m e n ti o n e d by H am dan i [ an A rabia n g e o
P s o n O f th e B ible T
’

g rap h er ] wit h t h e i . h i s s eem s a

tre me ndo u s i n fe re n ce t o be draw n fro m s uc h S li g h t

premi ss es B ut i f t h e i de n tificati o n be accepte d it mu s t
.
,

vi t iat e t h e w h o le O f th e arg um e n t fo r n o bo dy will e ver

,

be lieve t h at t h e Pi so n o f th e E art h l y Parad i s e w as a

m e re de pre s s i o n w il dern e ss o r t h e like
, ,
B ut el se w h ere
.
’

p
( 3 3)
. 2 h e r e fe r s t o t h r e e o t h er p o ss ibl e Havila h s n o n e ,

o f w h ic h c o ul d h o w e v e r h a ve b e e n
, , c o m passe d by t h e
B iblical Pi so n w h ic h h e mak e s t o ri se i n Ce n tral A rabia
,
 GL A SE R S ’ ‘
HA VI L A H AN D OPHI R ’
5
:

a nd flo w to the i n dee d t h e Wady cd

E u p h rate s, as

D aw as ir o cca s i o n all y d o e s d uri ng e x cepti o n all y h eavy

fre sh et s O ne i s Strab o s K b a n l o ta e pre s umabl y h e
’
.
, ,

t h i n k s o n t h e Pe rs ia n Gul f wh ere Ni e b u h r k n e w o f a
, ,

Hn dle ( Huw a i l a ) a stati o n O ft h e B e n a K h ali d tribe ab o ut

,
-

t h e B a h re i n A rc h ip e la g o an d E l A h s a B u t Pi s o n c o ul d .

n o t h ave c o m e t h i s w ay as it w o ul d t h u s h ave reac h e d

,

t h e c o a st far to t h e s o ut h O f t h e E up h rat e s O f w h ic h ,

G la s er a s su me s it t o h av e be e n a n a fflu e n t Mo re o ve r we . ,

h ave ab o v e se e n t h at B urt o n h as plac e d t h i s H avila h

( K li a n l d n = K lza n l o ta e
) n o t i n t h e c as t but i n t h e w e s t o r ,

so ut h we s t O f A rabia s o m e w h ere n e ar t h e m o de r n
-
‘
,

Ye me n Wit h ety m o l o g i e s y o u can d o a ny t h i n g

.
’
.

Th e se c o n d i s a K u sh i t e H avila h o n t h e Si n u s
A v al i t e s [ o r A b al i t e s ] t h at i s t h e A rabia n Se a but o n
, , ,

t h e so ut h s i de so m e w h e re ab o ut t h e pre s e n t Zeila o n
, ,

t h e N o rt h S o mali c o a st Th i s bri n g s u s bac k t o t h e

.

A frica n s ecti o n O f t h e la n d O f Pu n t wh ic h h as alre a dy ,

b ee n d i sp o s e d O f .

L a stly t h e t h i r d g o l den Havilah i s i n I n dia o r

,
‘
,

G o d k n o ws wh e re A S w e se e H avilah i s so u g h t fro m
. ,

A frica t o In d ia an d fro m t h e Pe r s ia n Gul f t o S y ria

’
,

(po . c i t p . . B e f o re fo ll o w i n g it t o I n d ia I m ay
p o i n t o ut t h at t h e e x c e e d i ng l y e la s tic A b h i r a equat e d ,

t e ntative l y b y R itt e r a n d Gla ser w ith Api r Oplei r & c . , , ,

alre ady bri ng s u s t o t h e very t h re sh o l d o r eve n t o th e ,

Pli ny s A b h i r a t h e
’
b o rderla n d it se l f o f t h at reg i o n, . ,

A biria o f t h e Periplu s w as a peo ple o r a la n d l y i n g

’

n o rt h O f S r a s t r e n e
y ( K ac h h ) t o t h e e a s t O f t h e I n d us ,

t h at i s t o say i n t h e pre se n t Pu nj ab a n s w eri n g t o t h e

, ,

I ndo Scy th ia O f t h e Gre e k s c o n se que n tl y w e ll w it h i n

-
,

3 2
5 2 THE GO LD OF OPHI R

th e n o rt h -
west fro ntier Of I nd ia pro per . He n ce ,
to

suppo rt h i s h y po th e si s Glaser i s , t o say t h at

o bli g e d

i f we i n clu de A b h i r a al s o still i n O ph i r l an d t h e n t h i s
‘
,

re g i o n stretc h ed eve n still furth e r away [ to th e eas t ]

b ey o n d t h e I n d u s ( p B ut t h i s i s leavi n g h i s
’
.

—
O ph ir a s ecti o n O f t h e we st s i de O f t h e Pers ia n Gul f
far be h i nd h i m and t h e a djace n t Havilah O f Ce ntral
,

A rabia S h o ul d c o n si ste n tl y be g ive n up i n favo ur o f th e

far m o re plau sible an d l o n g e stabli sh e d claim s O f th e
-

wes t c o ast o f In dia ,

an d t h e n c e

TO Ag r a and L ab o r O f G r e at Mo g ul ,
D o wn to th e G o l de n Ch e r so n e se .

Pa r adi se L o st, xi .
 C H A PTE R VI
’
1N D 1A A N D T HE G O L D E N C HE R SO N E SE
‘ ’
LA SSE N S

N O THI N G h as cau se d c o mme n tat o rs g re ater tro uble

t h a n t h e i n tru s ive i n itial S i n t h e Septua g i n t varia n t s

O f O ph ir — S o lzi r
-

p , S op lze i r a, t o w h ic h m a
y be
a dde d t h e S o /l i r a O f J o s ep h u s A tiq d vii i
J
’

p n u
. .
) B u
. t

t h e e xpla n ati o n i s Obvi o u s e n o u g h . W h e n i n later

( A le x a n d ria n ) time s t h e s earc h b e g a n fo r O p h ir w h ic h s till
c o n ti n ue s it became i de n tifie d with th e h ere a sso ciat e d
,

Sep h ar ; an d wh e n Sep h ar its el f c o ul d n o wh e re be

fo u n d it w as releg ate d t o I n d ia becau se s o meb o dy r e
,

m e mb e re d th at it w as a m o u n t o f th e ea st ’
T h u s it
.

cam e abo ut t h at O p h ir became So ph i r and S o ph i t b e ,

came In dia an d SO firml y e stabli s h ed w as t h i s belie f

,

t h at w h e n t h e Mo slem A rab s beg a n t o tran s late t h e

B ible u n de r Greek i n flue n ce s t h ey al so r e n dere d So ph i r

E l H e n d ( I n d ia ) as i n 1 K i n g s i x 2 8 a n d I saia h x iii
, . , .

12 . T h e n came t h e m o der n c o mme n tat o r s w h o w ith , ,

.

t h e d ev e l o pme n t o f li n g ui stic stu d ie s and t h e e stabli sh

me n t O f t h e In dO E ur o pea n ( A ry a n ) an d Semitic
-

familie s o f la n g ua g e s w ere able t h e illu stri o u s L a s se n

, ,
5
4 THE GO LD OF OPHI R

lead i n g t o S h o w appare n tl y b y c o n clu s ive p h il o l o g ica l

, ,

rea so n i n g th at t h e H ebre w n ames O f t h e ivo ry th e

, ,

apes an d peac o ck s bro u g h t wit h o t h er e xo tic s by t h e

, ,

fleet s o f H iram to h i s frie n d S o l o m o n were traceabl e ,

t o a n Ind ia n ( A ry a n ) so urce an d t h at t h e se c o mmo d i ,

ti e s th ere fo re cam e fro m India wh ic h w as th u s ag ai n ,

i de ntifi e d w ith O p h ir So ph i r an d Seph ar , , .

I n th e Hebrew t e x t s ( 1 K i ng s x 22 an d 2 C h ro n . , .

i x 2 1 ) t h e w o r d fo r ivo ry i s si te n lza bbi m

. to o t h O f -
,

elep h a n t s w h ere th e stem lt a b i s e q uated w i t h t h e

,
’

San skrit i b/za m e a n i n g e l e p h a n t

, B ut t h e H e brew s
‘
.
’

di d n o t n ee d t o g o t o I n d ia fo r t h i s w o r d w h ich l ay ,

”
cl o se at h a n d i n th e E g y ptia n able an d as all k n o w
6
, , ,

t h e re w e re e l e p h a n ts i n A frica as well as i n In dia Th e .

n e x t term Q op/zi m ap e s i s i n t h e sam e w ay trac e d to ’

, ,

t h e Sa n s kapi alt h o u g h acc o rd i ng t o Pierret E g y ptia n

.
, , ,

ag ai n y iel ds a n earer fo rm kefte n at leas t fo r a par , ,

tic u l ar ki n d O f ape It i s ri g h t h o weve r t o s ay t h at

. , ,

Pierret i s n o t reg arde d as a very g o o d auth o rity an d ,

D r B u dg e t e ll s me t h at t h e m o re g e neral E g y ptia n
.

term fo r ape i s b an Th i s O f c o ur se g ive s an i m .

, ,

p o s s ibl e de rivati o n ; but o n t h e o th e r h and t h e Sa n s .

ledpt i s no t muc h b e tt e r b o t h vo w e l s bei n g sh o r t , ,

wh erea s i n th e Heb bo t h ar e l o ng . w h il e t h e

i n itial s d i ffe r t h e Sa n s I? bei ng t h e He b 3 n o t t h e P ( q )

, . . ,

Of Q o plzi m.

L a stl y Tn kki i m,
tra ns lated peac o ck s i s re fe rre d to ,
’

t h e Sa ns g i t /t i t h ro u g h t h e Mala y a lim tog e i o r tog b a i

. ,

a n d Tamil to b e i B ut de s pit e t h e g reat aut h o rity o f

.

L a sse n I re ject ab so lute l y t h i s admitted l y strai ned

,

derivati o n a n d u ntil better i n fo rme d de ny t h at SO e arl y

,
5
6 THE G OLD OF OPHIR

no t i n th e s e n se i n te nde d b y th e ex po u n ders Of th e
sacred te xts .

It mi g h t perh ap s be s u g g e ste d t h at t h e ab se n ce i n
I n dia o f H im y aritic m o n um e n t s and g o l d w o rki n g s ,

s uc h as t h o s e O f R h o de s ia mi g h t be e x plai n e d o n th e
,

s upp o s iti o n t h at i n I n d ia t h e g o l d wit h t h e iv o r a n d

y ,

p eac o ck s w a s ,pr o cure d f r o m t h e civili s e d D ravi d ia n

n ative s i n t h e o rd i n ary c o ur s e o f tra de an d n o t mi n ed ,

b y t h e H im y arit e s ( and Ph oe n icia ns ) th em selve s Th ere .

are fo r i n sta n ce no d i sti n ctl y Ph oe n icia n m o n ume n t s

, , ,

a n d but fe w trace s o f t h e pre se n ce O f th ese an cie n t

sea farer s eit h e r i n Spai n w h e n ce t h e y c e rtai n l y drew
,

m uc h s ilv e r i f n o t g o l d o r i n B ritai n w h e n ce al so th e y
, ,

c e rtai n l y drew m u c h t i n Wh y t h e n n ee d s uc h m o n u
.

m e n ts be l o o k e d fo r i n India w h ere th ere i s at leas t ,

s o me g o l d alt h o u g h t h e i s la nd O f Sar d i n ia w h ere t h e re

, ,

i s n o g o l d i s t h ickl y s tre w n wit h th e so calle d n u r ag he

,
-
,

wh ic h th e Ho n A Wilm o t h as g o n e fa r t o pro ve were

. .

u n do ubte dl y Ph oe n icia n structure s 23 T h e pre se n c e o r

abse n c e t h e y arg u e o f S e mitic m o n um e nt s temple s —
, , ,

t o we rs stro ng h o l ds and t h e li k e mi g h t th e re fo re ap pe ar
,
—

t o pro v e n o th i n g at all i n t h e pre se n t c o n n ecti o n u n l e s s , ,

i n deed t h e s e buil d i n g s w e re al so d irectl y asso ciat e d with

,

g o l d w o r k i n g s a n d a n ci e n t mi n i n g ce n tre s as i s t h e ,

ca s e t h e o bject o rs S h o ul d add i n Rh o de s ia but n o w h ere

, , ,

e l se o r at lea s t n o w h ere e l s e t o a n y t h i n g like t h e s ame

,

e xt e n t .

H e re ari se s a m o s t imp o rta n t c o n s i de ratio n In th e .

p re face t o T h e A n cie n t R ui n s O f Rh o de s ia
‘
M e ss rs
’
.

Hall an d N e al remark t h at Th e u n do ubt e d fact O f

m a ny milli o n s O f p o u n ds sterli n g pre se n t valu e O f g o l d
L A S SE N S I N D I A {b THE G OL D E N CHE R S ON E SE
’ ‘ e ’
5
7

h avi ng been tracted by th e a ncie n ts fro m th e s e

ex

t e rrit o ri e s — s o me accred ite d aut h o rities placi ng t h e

value o n a c o nse rvative est i mate O f po rti o n s O f th e g o l d
,

be ari n g d i strict s o n l y at o ver 7 5 , 000 000l —

,
duri ng t h e
, .

s ame peri o d w h ic h c o vers t h e peri o d duri ng w h ic h

,

B iblical re fere n c e s are mad e t o t h e g o l d o f O p h ir an d ,

t h e ad mi ss i o n by aut h o ritie s t h at n o part o f t h e k n o w n

w o rl d In d ia i nclu ded y iel ds suc h o verw h elmi n g evi

, ,

d e nc e s o f e x te n s ive c o n ti n u o u s a n d s ucce ss ful a n ci e n t

, ,

g o l d mi
-
n i n g o p e rati o n s h avi n g be e n carrie d o n a s

ar e fo u nd o n ev e r h a n d i n R h o d e s ia leav e s muc h s ub
y ,

s ta n t i al ar ume n t t o be d i s p o s e d O f b t h e pp o n e n t s of
g y o

t h e t h e o ry Th e very firs t d i fficulty th ey will h ave t o

’
.

g rapple wit h i s t h i s pr o d i g i o u s am o u n t O f g o l d s upplie d

t o t h e c o urts O f D avi d an d S o l o m o n Ho w co ul d it .

h ave b e e n pro cure d by leg itimate tra de fro m t h e m o re

o r le ss civi l i s e d n ativ e s O f I n d ia ? W h at c o mm o d itie s
h ad s uc h a c o mparativ e l y po o r c o u n try as Pal e sti n e ,

N o rt h A rabia i n clu ded t o O ffe r i n e xc h an g e ? ,

Milk
"
a nd h o ne
y a r e all ver y well a s a p o etical e x pr e s s i o n .

B ut it i s Obvi o u s t h at n e it h er t h e se n o r t h e Olive s an d ,

rape n r t h e r o s e s o f S h aro n n o r t h e quail s a n d ma n n a

g s o , ,

O f t h e wil der n e s s c o ul d se rv e t h e purp o se s eve n O f a

,

l o w g ra d e barter trade wit h t h e D ravi d ia n s O f t h e

-

D e k ka n Th e g o l d w as clearl y n o t Obtai n e d i n t h e d ay s
.

O f S o l o m o n an d H iram b y purc h a s e a n d e xc h a n g e It .

mu s t n e c e ss aril y h ave be e n take n fo rcibl y mi n ed i n fact ,

w it h S lave lab o ur u n de r t h e sjamb o k by t h e merc h a n ts ,

’
O f Th ar s h i s h t h e m se lve s I t w as th ere fo re pro cured
. ,

n o t fro m I n dia alre a dy t h ickl y i n h abit e d by settled

,

p o pulat i o n s but f
,
r o m s o m e s uc h a uri fe r o u s re i o n as
g
58 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

Rh o d e s ia , w h ic h as we h ave s ee n w as at t h at tim e
, ,

o ccupi e d by s ava g e but w arlike H o tte n t o t h o rde s w h o ,

s upplie d t h e raw material fo r w o rki ng th e d i g g i ng s

’
,

an d at t h e s ame time require d t o be war de d o ff b s uc h

y
s t o ut wall s an d de fe n s ive w o rk s as t h o s e o f t h e R h o de s ia n

Z i mb aby e s.
N o w t h ere a r e n o evi de n ces O f S lave labo ur i n India ,

w h e re i n dee d it i s e xclu ded by t h e ca ste sy stem b y ,

wh ic h t h e so cial cla sses are o n ce fo r all de fi n e d and

determi n e d . O n ce a dh o bi ( w ash e r man ) alway s a dh o bi ,

o nc e a c o o lie alway s a c o o lie a n d c o o lie

, ( H i n d i h n l i )
m e a n s a labo urer w h o s e service c o ul d be o btai n ed o n l y
,

b y a c o n tract base d o n t h e pri n ciple o f pay me n t fo r

valu e re ceived N o t SO i n a n cie nt Rh o de s ia wh ere Hall
.
,

a n d N e al ( p 1 8 1 ) h ave d i sc o vere d i n t h e I n y a n g a d i stric t

.

t h e very s lave pit s i n w h ic h t h e n ative captive s c on

de mne d t o w o rk i n th e mi n e s were kept i n c o n fi ne me n t .

O n t h i s s ubject Rh o d e s ia O ct o ber 19 190 1 re pr o d uce s

’

, , ,

fro m t h e B ulaway o C h ro n icle a c o mmu n icati o n

’

rece n tly made t o th at paper b y Mr McD o n ald : O ne .

O f t h e m o s t i n tere s ti n g feature s o f t h e I n y a n g a d i s tric t

i s t h e e xtra o r d i n ary pit s w it h w h ic h t h e w h o le c o u n try

i s fi ll e d ; ev e ry tw o o r t h re e h u nd red y ards o n e c o m e s
acro ss t h em R o u g h l y th eir depth i s abo ut 20 feet ;
.
,

t h e y ar e C ircular i n s h ape an d h ave a d iam e t e r O f fro m

,

1 2 to 1 5 fe e t . Th e y are n o w larg e l y fill e d up wit h so il ,

tre e s O f c o n s i derabl e S ize g ro wi ng i n th e m sh o w i n g th at

,

t h e pit s bel o n g t o so me l o n g pa s t ag e Th e wall s ar e

.

built up with so li d g ra n it e bl o ck s wh ic h ar e ro u g h l y
,

d re ss e d an d t h e c o n structi o n i s fi n i sh e d o ff i n a w o rk
,

ma n like ma n n er better t h a n an y d r y buil di n g O f t h e

,
 L A S SE N S I N D I A 6
’ ‘ 4 THE G OL D E N CHE RS ON E SE ’
5
9

pre se n t day N O m o rtar h as bee n u sed i n t h e buil di n g

. .

A n e n tra n ce t o t h e pits w as e ffected at a po i n t s o m e

,

d i sta n ce fro m t h e e dg e O f t h e pit by a s l o pi ng g a ng way

,

o r pat h ver , y n arr o w w h ic h, w h e n it d i s appeared u n d er

g r o u n d w a s al so wall e d Ov e r wit h g ra n ite bl o ck s . I t i s

like a s mal l tu n n el Th e i de a t h at t h ey were S lave pit s

.

eman ate s fro m t h e s ty le O f t h e e ntra nce and it i s true ,

th at o n ce i n th ere t h e s lave s c o ul d no t climb up t h e

wall s an d esc ape and o n e g uard c o ul d h o l d t h e plac e
,

quite eas il y E very t h i n g po i n ts to t h e fact th at at o n e

.

time t h e d i strict carrie d a teemi n g po pulati o n t h e w h o l e

c o u n try h as been tilled an d th o u g h th ere i s a g reat
,

depth o f so il t h e fir s t 1 8 i n c h e s h as no t rec o vered i t s

,

o ri g i n al fe rtility it h avi n g bee n e xh au ste d by th e s e

,

by g o n e a g ricu lturi sts It i s o n l y by g o i ng t w o o r th re e

.

fe e t bel o w t h e s ur face t h at y o u e n c o un ter so il capable

O f pro duci n
g g o o d cr o p s T h i s n
. aturall y t o o k t h e l o cal
farm e rs so me time t o d i s c o ver but no w th ey are aware
O f t h e fact t h ey are rai s i n g capital cro p s
,
— better fo rag e
t h a n I h ave see n a ny wh e re el s e i n R h o des ia A s y o u .

c o me fro m I ny a n g a al o n g th e pre se n t ro ad fo r so me ,

4 0 mile s y o u pa ss t h r o u g h a c h ai n o f O ld f o rt s s,
o me o f
w h ic h a r e i n a g o o d state O f pres ervati o n Th es e fo rt s .

are lik e t h e sy stem o f bl o ck h o u ses al o ng t h e railway

li n e s i n t h e n ewl y co n qu e red territo rie s but ar e much ,

cl o ser to g e t h er i n ma ny case s bei ng w it h i n a h u nd red

,

y ar d s O f e ac h o t h er w h ile, I am s a fe i n s a y gi n n o n e a r e

m o re t h a n 300 y ards apart A S y o u appr o ac h th e

.

Mash o n ala n d railway t h e li n e o f fo rts break s away

,

appar e n tly eit h er t o wards Zimbabwe o r t h e Sabi river ,

a nd I h ave n o d o ubt th at i f fo ll o we d up t h ey w o ul d
60
-
THE GOLD OF OPHI R

pro bably be fo u nd to c o n ti n ue to S o fala o r wh atever ,

rt n t h e ea s t c o as t w as freque n te d b y t h e tra d e r s o r
p o o ,

w as t h e o utlet fo r t h e pro duce o f t h e c o u n try A t ma ny .

o f t h e fo rt s were w h at app e are d t o be rui n s o f w h at mu s t ,

I t h i n k h ave bee n watc h to wer s

, at a ny rate th ey ar e
-
,

v ery s imilar t o t h e fam o u s R o u n d To wers fo u n d i n

d i ffere n t parts O f I rela n d

’
.

O n t h e o th e r h a n d t h e re were c e rtai n l y fo rtre ss e s

,

a n d t o wer s a n d o th e r place s O f re fu e i n Sar d i n ia bu t

g
t h i s w as becau s e t h e Ph oe n icia n i n tru der s wi s h e d t o

s e ttle perma n e n tl y i n t h at c e n tral la n d o f t h e Me di t e r

r an e an an d h ad t o
,
de fe n d t h em se lve s a g ai ns t t h e
abo ri g i n es by wh o m it h ad b e e n o ccupi e d s i n c e e arl y
,

N e o lith ic tim e s It may be in ci de n tally remark e d t h at

.

t h e Sard i n ia n s tructure s as illu strat e d i n Wilm o t s b o o k

’
, ,

S h o w quit e a n e x trao rd i n ary rese mbla n ce to s o me O f t h e

m o re ty pical Z i mb aby e m o n ume n t s It can n o l o ng er .

b e do ubte d t h at th e y are O f Semitic m o st pro babl y ,

Ph oe n icia n o ri g i n a n d w o ul d th u s te n d t o S h o w t hat as
, , ,

I h o l d t h e H i my a r i t e s were s ucc e e de d b y t h e Ph oe n icia n s

,

’
i n R h o de s ia Th e re a r e ev e n To mb s o f t h e Gia n t s
. ,

as i f fo r t h e a n cie n t S o n s O f A n a k s uc h as w e h ave ,
’

a lre ady me t i n E g y pt an d Ma sh o n ala n d Mr Wilm o t . .

c o n clu de s t h at t h e buil de r s O f t h e Zimbabwe s i n S o uth

‘
,

ea s t A frica an d O f th e Nurag h e s i n Sardi n ia were

N ature w o rsh ipp e r s O f t h e earl y Ph oe n icia n cult w h e n
-
,

s t o n e w o r s h ip w as o n e O f t h e l e a d i n g
-
fe ature s o f t h at
’

re li g i o n Certai n ly w e ca n n o t b e w r o n g i n c o n clu d i n g
.

t h at t h e Ol d e s t O f t h e Z imbabw e s O f so ut h e astern -

A frica were erecte d be fo re t h e n i n th ce n tury B C . .

T he re i s little do ubt t h at s o me O f t h em e x i ste d w h e n

L A S SE N S I N D I A Cfl
’
THE G OL D E N CHE R S ON E SE 61
'
‘ ’

H iram K i n g O f Ty re Obtai ne d g o l d fo r t h e Templ e O f

, ,

S o l o m o n ; an d we sh all se e t h at an cie n t Mo no mo tapa

w as pro babl y o ne O f t h e O ph i r s re ferre d to i n t h e

Sacre d Sc r ipture s Th e n it i s added i n a no te t h at

.
’

O ph ir w as a g e neric titl e fo r a ric h c o mmercial

c o u n try u s ed i n t h e same w ay as Tarsh i sh . Th e latte r
,

n ame we k n o w w as g iv e n t o m o re t h a n o n e place as ,

t h ere may h ave bee n an In d ian as well as an A fric an

Th e fo rmer w o ul d be o n th e Malabar c o a st
"
O ph ir .

5
6
( p.
37 )
Th u s we are bro u g h t back t o India wh ere t h ere ar e
'

t w o o r t h ree plac e s o n t h e we s t c o a s t s uc h as t h e ,

B ar y g az a Muziri s and N e l ky n da o f t h e Periplu s w h ic h

’
, , ,

mi g h t i n a ve ry res tricted se n se be reg arded as such

, ,

O ph i r s B ar y g az a Cspeciall y w h ic h g ave i t s n ame t o

’
.
,

t h e Gul fo f B ar y g az a t h at i s t h e prese nt Gul fo f Cambay

, , ,

fulfi l s m o st O f t h e c o n diti o n s fairl y well . It w as t h e m o s t

fam o u s h arbo ur o n th i s s eab o ard at le as t i n t h e firs t ,

ce n tury o f th e ne w era a nd pr o b ab lv l o ng be fo re an d , ,

am o ng i ts expo rt s t h e Pe riplu s 49) me n ti o n s preci o u s

s to n es perfu me s ivo r y c o tt o ns and s ilk B ut a g ai n
, , , , .

t h ere i s n o g o l d an d with o ut g o l d an d g o l d i n abu n

, ,

—
da n ce t h ere i s n o true O ph ir t h e Z ara fs h a n o r G o l d
’

, ,

D i stributo r as t h e Pers ian s mi g h t call it i n a pre emi

,
’
,
-

n e n t se n se .

A nd so , C o n qui s tado res i n q es t O f th eir

like th e

E l do rado i n t h e West w e mu s t s till o n o n do w n t o

, , ,
‘

t h e G o l de n C h ers o ne s e t h e veritable U ltima Th ule O f

’
,

t h e E as tern w o r ld. A n d wh at sh all we fin d h ere ?

A t fir st o n e i s s tartled to meet wit h a Mo u n t O p h ir ” ‘
62 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

ne ar t h e e xtre mity O f t h e Malay Pe n i n s ula a r e g i o n ,

ri g h tl y i de n tified with th i s ve ry G o l den C h e rso n ese .

B ut w it h t h e e x pla n ati o n c o m e s t h e d i se n c h a n tme n t fo r ,

w e pre s e n tl y learn t h at th i s i s o n l y t h e Gu no ng Le da n g -

o f t h e Malay s w h ic h li e s i n t h e m o d e ratel y auri fe r o u s

,

pri n cipality o fMo ar abo ut ei g h t ee n miles no rt h e as t O f

,
-

t h e city O f Malacca and w as r e c h ri s te n e d O ph ir i n ‘ ’

-
,

15 1 1 A D w h e n t h at fl o uri s h i n g s eap o rt w a s captured by

. .,

t h e Po rtu g ue se pi o n eer s e very w h ere i n s earc h O f t h e

,

lan d wh e nce S o l o m o n d re w h i s trea sures I n t h e s ame .

w ay t h e y d i s c o vere d a n o t h e r Mo u n t O p h i r i n t h e ’

Gu n o ng Pa saman an e x ti n ct vo lca n o ab o u t e i g h ty miles

-
,

n o rt h w e s t O f Pad a n g i n Sumatra a nd fo r all t h i s t h ey

-
,

h ad t h e pre c e de n t O f C o lu mbu s h im s e l f w h o s im ilarl y ,

re po rted t o h i s ro y al patro n th e di s c o ve ry o f a g o l de n
O ph ir i n t h e New Wo rl d ( H i spa n i o la ) .

Th ere i s certai n l y a g o o d deal o f g o l d i n t h e Malay

Pe n i n sula w h ic h eve n n o w h as a y e arl y o utput O f fro m
,

to Neve rth el e s s it do es n Ot a pp e ar
,

t o h a v e bee n k n o w n t o t h e Gre e k s a s t h e G o l d e n C h er

so n e s u s till t h e tim e O f Pt o l e m y w h o mu st h ave r e

,

ce i ve d it fro m H i nd u s o urc e s A t lea s t t h e Gre e k e x

.

pre ss i o n xpv a i; X 8 p0 6vna o s i s a lit e ral tra ns lati o n O f t h e

'

Prakrit ( late Sa n s krit ) S n o a r n a bh n mi t h e G o l d L a n d

’
, ,

w h ic h i s applied i n t h e B u dd h i s t writi ng s t o a se cti o n O f

t h e e a s t c o a st O f t h e B ay o f B e n g al t h at i s t h e Ta n a h
,

l lI a l ay n
/
Malay l an d ) O f t h e n ati ve s M Vivie n de
’
. .

St Marti n w h o h as ma de a s pe cial stu dy o ft h i s s ubj e ct

.- , ,

h as c o me t o t h e c o n clu s i o n t h at Ca tt zg a r a fart h e s t p o i n t ,

O f Grac c o R o ma n n avi g ati o n i n t h e e xtreme e a s t mu s t

- .
,
64 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

becau s e O f th e t i n o f w h ic h it alway s h as bee n o ne

,

o f t h e c h ie f s to reh o u s e s an d t i n w as already k n o w n t o
,

H o mer) 39 It i s eve n po i n te d o ut th at h as s i te r o s t h e ,

Greek fo r t i n i s t h e Sa n s krit h a sti r a w h en ce al so t h e

, ,

A rabic kas di r . Here i s a no t h er ety m o l o g ical pit fall ,

w h ic h h as se t t h e l e ar n e d w o rl d astray fo r I s carc e l y
k no w h o w ma ny g e n erati o ns In any ca se it i s n o w.
,

well as certai ned t h at h as ti r a do e s no t o ccur till co m

a r at i ve ly late times i n Sa n s krit t h at i n p o i n t O f fact it
p ,

i s a l o a n w o rd fro m t h e Greek as i s al so t h e A rabic, .

Th ere are o th er reaso ns w h ic h I ca n no t e n ter i n to h ere

, ,

fo r believi ng t h at very little t i n came fro m t h e E as t till

relativel y m o d er n times a n d t h at t h e c h ie f so urces o f
,

th e s uppl y duri n g th e bro n z e a nd earl y h i s t o ric ag e s

were Spai n and B ritai n O n t h e w h o le th e m o s t

.
‘
,

pro bable e xpla nati o n an d th at wh ich ag rees bes t with

,

wh at we k no w O f th e c o n cealme n t practi s ed by t h e
Ph oe n icia n s i n res pect O f c o mmerce i s t h i s— t h at w h il e
,

th e tra de i n t i n c o n ti n ued t o be t h eir m o n o p o l y [ fro m

abo ut 2 5 00 t o 3 00 all th at th e Gre e k s l e arn t
c o n cer n i n g i t s o ri g i n w as t h at it w as fo u nd i n i s lan ds i n
t h e n o rt h ern s e a — by w h ic h B ritai n to g e t h er w it h t h e
,

i s l e ts O f i ts c o a s t o r perh ap s Irela nd are vag uely

, ,

m e an t ( To zer p.
’
,

We th u s se e t h at o u r O p h ir ca n no t be so u g h t i n
I nd ia pro per and still l e ss i n t h e ultra In d ia n G o l d e n
,
-

C h erso n ese wh ic h w as s carcely k no w n to t h e wes te rn

,

pe o pl e s till abo ut t h e daw n O f th e n e w era N e ve r t h e .

les s Glaser u n able lik e t h e A le xa nd ria n Greek s to fin d

, , ,

a re sti n g place fo r S e p h ar i n A rabia su g g es ts th at th i s

,
L A SSE N S ‘
I N DI A 6 °
THE G OL D E N CHE R S ON E SE ’
6 5
bo rde rlan d O f t h e Y O k tan i de s [ H im y arites ] n ee d n o t be
i n A rabia at all an d futur e re s earc h may S h o w t h at
,

it may be fo u n d S o m e w h e re eas t O f t h e Persia n Gul f ,

perh ap s eve n i n In dia w h e re th ere are places suc h as ,

S appa r wit h name s so u n d i n g like S eph a r p ’

, ( .

After t h i s o ne do e s n o t s e e w h y t h e p h il o l o g i s t s
, ,

B Mo r i t z
.
so fo r i n sta n ce am o n g s t o th ers n ee d h av e
, , ,

be en SO h ard o n D r Peters fo r ven turi n g t o s u g g e st

.

s o m e p o ss ible re lati o n bet w e e n Sep h ar SO ph i r SO ph e r a , , ,

O p h ir an d A h r
,
A frica it s e l f Th e u n prej u d ic e d .

reade r say s t h i s w rit e r will c o nce de th at th e seque n c e

,
’
,

O ph ir A fir A fer A fr i c
, ,
us Terra A frica a nd A frica i s
, , ,

m o re th an o rdi n aril y su g g estiv e I s ubmit th at my .

derivati o n O f t h e n am e A frica fro m t h e a n cie n t H e bre w

wo rd O p h ir i s t h e de rivati o n w h ic h h as be e n so u g h t fo r
c e n turies (op ci t p . Th e n A frica bei n g th u s k n o w n
. .

as a w h o le as a c o n ti n e n t t o t h e Ph oe n icia n s w h e n w e
, , ,

’
o l d t h at t h e y w e n t t o O p h ir fo r g o l d
‘
w e ar e t o
ar e
t ,

u n de rs ta n d t h at th i s m e a n t t h ey we n t t o A frica SO ,

th at O p h ir i s A frica ( p Th e c o n clu s i o n se e ms a
.

little vag u e an d SO far wi de O f t h e mark A g ai n t h e

,
. ,

ro o t O f t h e wo rd mea n s r ed SO t h at A frica i s th e R e d ,

lan d a n al o g o u s t o th e n ame A lbi o n w h ic h i ts c h alk

,
’
,

cli ffs h ave c o n fe rre d o n E n g lan d ( p O p h ir h e .

,

th i n k s wro ng l y as we s h all se e al so mean s r e d as d o e s

, , , ,

Afar t h e n ati o n al n ame O f t h e Hamitic D a n a k il pe o pl e

, ,

bet w e e n Aby ss i nia and t h e R e d Sea F ro m O ph i r l an d .

th e L ati n Terra Africa a n d fr o m t h e A far p e o ple w e ,

e t b t h i d f n E ptia n pr e fi x (p t o S o fal a
g , y e a O a gy .
,

wh ic h i s pro no u n ced S o fara i n t h e i n te ri o r an d O f c o urse ,

t o t h i s c o n clu s i o n I ca n no t perso n all y h ave an y Objecti o n ,

F
66 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

becau se I wa n t to g e t t h ere al so o nl y by a d i ffere nt ,

ro ute Mean wh ile R o lan d carries us back t o India

.
,

becau se U para o r U ppar a an d t h e Malabar Supo r a were

al so called S o fa la and th u s we h ave t w o So fa las faci n g
,

each o th er o n Oppo s ite s i des O f t h e In dia n O cean an ,

e mba r r as de r i c hesses w h ic h i s g o t r i d o f by t h e as sump

,

ti o n th at th e A frica n S o fala i s t h e o r i g i n al ( p Here .

ag ai n I sh o ul d be g lad t o ag ree o n l y I am re mi n de d by ,

Glaser w h o o n a p o i nt O f t h i s so rt i s t h e fi n al appeal t h at
, ,

O ph ir o nce s upp o se d to mea n r i c

, h es and t h e n r e d c an , ,

n o t mea n eith er B urto n h ad already rej ect e d r i c

. he s but ,

s t o o d b y r e d becau se Se e t z e n h ad s h o w n
, c o n clu s ivel y
th a t O ph ir t h e R e d L an d w as i n S o uth ern A rabia
,
‘
,
’
.

N o w r e d al so mu st g o be cau s e Glaser sh o w s s till m o re

,

c o n clu s ivel y t h at t h e Ma h ra [ S o uth A rabia n ] A ifn r h as

no t h i n g w h at so ever t o d o wit h red wh ic h as h e asce r ,
’
,

r ai n e d i n A rabia i s utt e re d with t h e g uttural a i n a n d

’
, ,

n o t wit h t h e a lef ( a )
81 an d t h e i n terc h a ng e O f th e se t w o
,

l e tters i n th e Semitic la n g uag es i s alm o s t imp o ss ibl e .

Th u s c o llap se s a wh o le c o n ti ne nt ; w h ateve r A frica

’

may mea n it h as n o Obvi o u s c o nn ecti o n wit h O p h ir an d

, ,

w e h ave t o beg i n all o ve r ag ai n Suc h i s u s uall y t h e

.

o utc o me O f arg um e n t s ba s ed o n ety m o l o g ie s t o w h ic h ,

I p e r so n all y attac h but S li g h t wei g h t u n le ss s upp o rted ,

b y c o llateral evi de n ce I n fact t h ey may l e a d any

. ,

w h e re o r no w h ere a n d w h ile s el do m s ettli n g a ny t h i n g

, ,

O fte n te nd to upse t every th i ng E l sewh ere re ferri n g t o .

,

electricity I h ave s po ke n O f t h e Pro tea n ph a ses O f t h i s

,

n e w b o r n s cie n ce a n d t h e e x pre s s i o n i s t o o O fte n equall y

-
,

applicable to th e n e w bo r n s cien ce O f p h il o l o g y w ith i t s

-

,
L A S SE N S I N D I A 69s THE G OL D E N CHE R S O N E SE 67
’ ‘ ’

a sto n i sh i n g vag aries po ss ible an d impo ss ible t r an s fo r

,

mati o ns SO al so t h e In dia n Suppar Su po r a S o fal a

.
, , ,

U ppar a Upara fall t h ro u g h a nd we h ave t o re tur n t o

, , ,

A rabia i n searc h o f t h e O p h ir a n d t h e true S e ph ar a

,
‘

m o u n t o f t h e eas t.
’
68 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R V II

R I TT E R S B IB L I CA L O PHI R
’
— T HE F R A N K I N CE N SE

L AN D

H AV I N G SO O fte n t o d i ffer fro m D r Pe te rs i n p o i n t s O f .

de tail I am all t h e m o re pl e as ed t o fin d m y se l f i n full

,

a re e me n t wit h
g h i s s tat e me n t t h at o n e o f t h e c h ie f
t h e o ri e s reg ardi n g t h e g eo g raph ical p o s iti o n O f O ph ir
a t h e o ry ado pt e d b y me n like Ed ri s i A bul feda B o ch ar t , , ,

N iebu h r G e se n i us Vi n ce n t G o sseli n Vo l n ey Se e t z e n
, , , , , ,

R o se n mu e l l e r K eil an d m o re r e c e n tl y b y So e t b e e r
, ,

d l m a dd B urt o n an d R itt e r ] — l o o k s fo r O p h ir i n
[ a n e t e

S o uth e r n A rabia Th ere ar e i n de e d g o o d rea so n s fo r

.

it ( op ci t p
’
. . .Were it mere l y a qu e s ti o n o f
auth o rity th e appeal t o R itte r al o n e mi g h t alm o s t
,

s u ffic e t o C l o se t h e c o n tr o ver sy j u s t as A ug u s ti ne cl o s e d
,

t h e D o n ati s t c o n tr o versy b y t h e fam o u s e xclamati o n ,

Pe tru s l o c u t u s e s t cau s a fin i t a e s t
,
'

B u t h i s t o r i can d s ci e n tific qu e s ti o n s c an no l o ng e r

b e s ettle d b y t h e ipse dzlr i t o f a n y o n e an d all s uc h ,

matters h ave t o be deci de d o n th e ir m e rit s as te ste d by ,

i n tri n s ic a n d e x tri n s ic e vi de n ce W h e re h o we ve r ab so
. , ,
 RI T TE R S B I B L I CA L
’
OPHI R 69

lute c e rtai nty i s u n attai n abl e t h at view i s n o w g e n erall y

,

accepte d at lea st as a w o r k i ng h y p o th es i s w h ic h i s
, ,

fo un d t o h arm o n i s e b e st with m o st o f th e k no w n
c o nd iti o ns o f t h e pro bl e m I h o pe n o w to be able t o
.

S h o w th at t h e p o s iti o n ab o ve a ss i g n e d t o O ph ir i s m o re
th a n a wo rki ng h y p o th e s i s acqu i res i n fact a C ertai n
, , ,

fin ality fr o m t h e fre sh e vi de n c e bro u g h t t o bear o n t h e

s ubject S i n ce it w as d i s cu sse d b t h e ab o ve me n ti o ne d
y
-

aut h o riti e s .

A s far as I c an d i sc o ve r t h e firs t clear pr o n o u n ce

,

m e n t re g ard i n g th e actual s ite O f t h e B iblical O p h ir i s

due t o Carl R itter o n e O f t h e g reate st i f n o t th e
, ,

g r e ate s t , g g
e o rap h er o f t h e n i n e t e e n t h ce n tu r y . H e

write s : Si n c e th e dw e lli n g s o f th e c h il d re n O f J o ktan ar e

e v e n g e o g rap h icall y de t e rmi n e d be twee n Me s a o r Me sh a

( M u s a ) u n t o Sep h ar ( t h e earl y E a v r cai a

pp ,t h e lat e r
D h afa r D h o far at Mirbat i n t h e fra n ki n ce n s e la n d n o w
, ,

”
th e Is ph o r O f t h e ab o ri g i n e s by t h e , m o u n t O f t h e e a st ,

th e prese n t h i g h i n c e n s e ra n g e c al le d F ag u e r i n t h e

E h k ili la n g uag e ) t h e v e ry l o cality O f t h e twelv e tribe s

,

O f t h e Jo k t an i d e s am o n g s t w h o m i s O p h ir i s i d e n tifie d
, ,
.

R e markab ly e n o u g h it c o i n ci d e s wit h th e la n d o f Mah ra

'

e a s t O f H a d ramaut pr o p e r with t h e fra n ki n c e n s e la n d

,

re no w ne d fro m t h e rem o t e st times .B u t h e re w as

s itu at e d D h o fa r ( Z aph a r al s o D O ffir a s Niebu h r h ear d
, ,

it call e d) t h e a n cie n t r e s i de n c e O f t h e H im y aritic ki ng s

, ,

duri ng th e m o st fl o uri sh i n g p e ri o d o f th i s Stat e It i s

.

C ivitas e x imia i n A mmia n u s Marc e lli n u s

”
s till call e d

( x x iii
. 6 ,
an d at t h e s ame time h el d f r o m t h e

ear li e s t ag e s th e p o s iti o n o f a n emp o rium fo r t h e

reat i n t e rc h a n e O f merc h a n d i se t h r o u g h o ut t h e wi de
g g
70 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

e a st an d mi g h t be at o n c e i n d icated as th at [ B iblical ]
,

O ph ir
’
.
3 2

Here are c o n ce n trated i n a fe w li ne s m o s t o f t h e

e leme n t s r e quire d fo r th e so luti o n O f t h e pr o blem Th e .

res t will n o w be suppli e d .

It h as alre a dy be e n s u g g e ste d t h a t t h e re i s g o o d
rea so n t o be li e ve th at t h e B iblical Mo u n t Seph ar sh o ul d
be bro u g h t back fro m In dia wh ere it i s u n k n o wn t o, ,

S o ut h A rabia w h e re R itter i n t h e abo ve qu o ted pa ssag e

,
-

i de n tifi e s it with t h e m o u n t o f t h e eas t i n t h e pre s e n t

D h afar o r D h o far at Mirbat Si n ce R itter s time th i s
’ ’
.

ve r d i s trict h a s b e e n v i s it d b se v e ral trav e ll r uc h

y e y e s s

a s F re s n el Hal evy a n d Gla s er an d w as m o re p a rticularl y

, , ,

t h e s ce ne o f t h e v e ry la st arc h ae o l o g ical lab o ur s O f

Th e o do re B e n t w h o i n 1 894 5
,
— care full y survey ed m o st
O f t h e s eabo ar d w h ic h h e j u s tl d e s cribe s as o n e O f t h e
, y
mo s t remarkable reg i o n s o f t h e w h o le pe n i n sula 33 Fo r .

us it i s m o re t h a n remarkable ; it i s O f abso rbi ng i n tere s t

i n t h e pre s e n t e n q u i r y b e i ng t h e v ery d i s trict w h er e as

, ,

h ad alrea dy bee n a n ticipate d b y R itter t h e O p h ir o f ,

Sc r ipture i s a ssure dl y t o be so u g h t .

D h o far as B e n t t e ll s u s fo rm s a s o rt O f o as i s an
, , ,

e xtre m e l y ric h l e v e l alluvia l plai n e xte n d i n g so me s i xty

,

miles al o n g t h e c o a st a little t o t h e west O f th e K uria

Muria Is la n ds a nd cut O ff by th e Gara ra n g e fro m t h e
,

s a n dy wa ste s O f Had h r a mo ut H ere still fl o uri sh bo th

.

t h e m y rrh an d t h e fra n ki n ce n s e sh rub w h ich h ave c , on

s titute d th e c h ie f i n du s t r y O f t h e i n h abita n ts fo r
t h o u s a nds O f y ears R i g h t up t o th e summit O f t h e
.

l ime s to n e ra n g e t h e s l o pe s are h o n ey c o mbe d wit h g reat

caverno u s recess e s i n w h ic h t h e n ativ e s dwell as O f O ld
, ,
72 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

H e re I th i n k th e elu s ive O ph ir it sel f may at la st b e

, ,

r u n t o eart h A l l t h e facto rs re quire d fo r t h e s o luti o n

’
.

O f t h i s pere n n ial pro blem s eem as it w e re bro u g h t , ,

t o g e th er i n G e n x. 2 530 wh e re a r e m e n ti o n ed i n
— . ,

i n timate a sso ciati o n J o kta n ( K ah t an ) S h e ba ( Saba) , ,

O p h ir Havila h Me sh a ( Mo sc
, ,
h a ) an d S e p h ar i n t h e , ,

o rd er h er e ive n B e n t tell s us t h at K A HTA N s till

g .

s urvive s t h e l o cal Gara tribe bei n g d ivi de d i n t o famili e s

, ,

t h e C h i e f o f w h ic h i s t h e A l K ah t a n famil y an d t h e
‘
,

h e a d O f t h e A l K ah t an famil y i s rec o g n i s ed as t h e
S h eik h by all t h e Garas . He w as n o t aware O f t h e ’

imp o rta n c e O f t h i s state me n t t h e s i g n ifica n ce O f w h ic h ,

appears fro m t h e fact t h at i n th e n ati o n al g e n eal o g ies

t h e K ah t a n i de s are o n e O f t h e t h r e e g reat d ivi s i o n s O f

t h e A rab race Th e y ar e t h e s ettl e d a n d culture d as

. ,

o pp o s e d t o t h e wil d B e do ui n o r N o ma d e lem e n t an d s till ,

fo rm t h e bulk O f t h e i n h abita n t s o f Ye me n S o uth o r ’

,

p o ssibl y Ya ma n Happy as i n A r a bi a F e l i x) a n d
, ,
’
,

t h e y claim d e sce n t fro m K ah t an t h at i s t h e J o kta n , , ,

s o n o f Heber,
h e nc e a r e k n o w n as A r a b a l A r i ba h
,
- -
,

A rab s o f t h e A rab s t h e e l d e st a n d pure s t bra n ch O f

‘ ’
,

t h e race F ro m H im y ar
.
g ra n d so n O f K ah t a n ,

t h e y to o k t h e n am e o f H im y arite s th e Ho me r i tae O f ,

t h e Gre e k writer s by w h o m t h e e pit h et

’
red
‘
w as

e xte n de d t o t h e n e i g h b o uri n g c o a s tla n ds a n d t o all t h e

s urro u n d i n
g wat e r s T h e term w a s applie d at fi rs t t o
.

t h e w h o le o f t h e In d ia n O cea n n avi g at e d by th e

H im y arites but with i ncreas i ng k n o wl e dg e w as g radu

,

all y re st r icted t o th e Pers ia n Gul f t h e A rabian an d R e d ,

S e as Fo r us H im y ar i s th e c o llective nam e O f all t h e

.

s o ut h er n A rab s a n d i n a n arr o wer s e n se O f t h e Yeme n ite s

, ,
 R I T TE R S B I B L I CA L OPHI R
’
73

wh o se t w o g reat h i sto ric di vi s i o n s were th e Mi naean s

a n d Sabaea n s . S o m e ( A d ite s Th e mudi t e s and o th e rs)
, ,

were trad iti o n all y cave dwellers an d we h ave seen th at

-
,

B e n t fo u n d ma ny O f t h e D h o far n ative s s till o ccup y i ng

t h e S paci o u s caver n s O f t h e Gara h il ls .

D eali n g wit h t h e secti o n O f t h e Periplu s w h ic h ‘ ’

d e s cribe s t h e so ut h c o a s t o f A rabia To zer r e mark s ,

t h at so m e di stance bey o n d E u daem o n ( t h e pre se n t

A de n ) w e c o m e t o a c o n spicu o u s h e ad call e d Sy ag r o s

( Cap e P artak ) ,
w h ic h i s h ere d i g n ifie d w it h t h e title
of O n i ts
“
t h e g reat e s t pro m o n t o ry O f t h e w o rl d .

sh o re t h ere w as a d ep o s it o ry [ de pdt ] O f fra n ki n ce n s e ,

fo r t h e n ei g h b o uri ng reg i o n O f t h e i n teri o r O f A rabia

( t h e Ha d ramaut ) h a s be e n i n all a g e s t h e c h i e f s o urc e

O f th e s uppl y O f t h at article . B e y o n d Sy ag r o s w e
m e e t w ith a n o t h er imp o rta n t e mpo rium O f fra n ki n c e nse ,

call e d Mo sch a [qf th e Mes h ec h O f E ze k i e l xx vii 1 3 . ,

wh ic h i s th e MO SO Ch O f t h e Vul g ate ] t h e m o u n tai n s at

,

t h e back O f w h ich w e re i n h abite d b y cav e dw ell e r s - 34 ’

.

SO al so B e n t : Th e Gara live c h iefl y as s tate d

‘
,

abo ve i n t h e d ee p caves O f th eir limest o n e m o u n tai n s

, ,

w h ich pro vi de acc o mm o dati o n fo r t h e famil y an d ma n y

h e ad o f cattle . Th e y h ave a larg e n umber O f milc h
c o w s an d g o at s an d make g h e e [ C larified butter ] i n
,

g reat qua n titi e s w,

h ic h i s e x p o rte d fr o m h e re A
. l l
th e ir implem e n t s are O f th e m o st pri mitive de scripti o n .

Th e c h ur n i s a s ki n h u ng o n th ree s tick s w h ic h a
wo ma n S h ake s ab o ut u n til butter i s fo rmed ; to mak e
t h e ir c o w s g ive milk freel y th ey s tretc h a cal f s s ki n o n ’

t w o s tick s an d g ive t h i s t o t h e Co w t o lick

, . Th e
calves an d ki ds are kept i n th e i n n erm o st rece s ses O f
74 THE GO LD OF OPHI R

th e cave s duri n g t h e ab se n ce O f t h e dam s at th e

’
pa s turag e .

Suc h are t h e primitive way s o f th e se h o mely

tro g l o dy te s as th e y e xi st e d u n der t h e sh a do w o f Seph ar
, ,

pro bably th o u s a n ds o f y ears be fo re t h e n e i g h bo uri ng

po rt o f O ph ir r o se t o pre emi n e n ce as th e g re at
-

emp o rium O f th e eas ter n w o rld Fo r th e S e mit e le ft to

. ,

h im s el f n e ver c h a ng e s a nd o ur late s t e x pl o rers s till find

, ,

th e m dwe l li ng i n t h eir O ld lime sto n e cave s t w o th o u sa n d

y ear s a fter O p h ir it s el f h a s d i s appeare d
, leavi n g
n o t h i n g O f i t s a n cie n t l o rie s e x c e pt t h e pile s O f rui n s
g
s tre w n t h ickl y o ver t h e plai n s at th e fo o t O f t h e m o u nt
O f t h e ea s t
’
.
 C H A PTE R V II I

O PHI R T HE
’
M E TR O PO L I S MO SC HA
‘
AND

I TS HA R B O U R

O F th e t h irte e n C h il dre n o f J o kta n me n ti o n ed i n th e

tabl e O f g e n e al o g ies u n der di s cu s s i o n w e are h ere ,

c o ncer ne d o n l y w ith fo ur H az armav e th ( v

— S h eba .

( v
. a n d O p h ir a n d Havila h ( v O f.t h e s e a n d
all th e o th e rs w e ar e t o l d t h at t h e ir dw e lli ng w a s
,
‘

fr o m Mesh a as t h o u g o es t u n t o S e p h ar a m o u n t O f t h e ,

eas t ( v Th i s s tat e men t a cc o rds well with Say ce s

’
.

alre ady qu o ted re mar k t h at t h e table itsel f i s n o t

,

e t h n o l o g ical but g e o g rap h ical F r o m t h i s s ta nd po i n t i t s

.

m e a n i n g i s plai n e n o u g h It a ss i g n s t h e w h o le O f S o uth
.

A rabia as far e a s t as S e p h ar t o t h e JO kt an i de S o r a s , ,

t h e y call t h em se lve s t h e K ah ta n i de s t h e A rabs O f t h e

, ,

A rab s w h o m we h av e c o llectiv e l y call e d H im y arite s

’

, ,

a n d w h o s e do mai n fr o m pre h i s t o ric tim e s d o w n t o t h e

irrupti o n O f t h e Mo sl e m Ish maelite s w as preci se l y th i s

s o ut h w e s ter n s e cti o n O f t h e pe n i n s ula
-
.

Th e fir st n a me taki ng th em i n t h eir B iblical o rde r

, ,

i s Hazarmav e t h w h ic h i s u n a n im o u s l y i de n tifi e d w it h
,
76 THE GOLD OF OPHIR

th e A d r ami t ae Of Pt o l e m y , th at i s , t h e
pre sen t Hadh ra
m o u t l y i n g a s it o u g h t t o do we st o f S e p h ar
, , , .

Alt h o u g h t h e wo rd mea n s C o urt ( reg i o n ) O f D eath

’
,

Hadh r amo ut w as n o t t h e n any m o re th an n o w e n tirel y

, ,

a wa st e Pto lem y eve n g ive s it a seap o rt t h e w e ll

.
,

k n o w n K an e wh ic h l ay abo ut m i d way bet w ee n A den

,

a n d Mo sc h a an d d re w s u ffi cie n t supplie s fro m th e

,

fe rtil e tract s ( o a s e s ) O f t h e i n te ri o r t o fe e d a fl o uri sh i n g

e x p o rt tra de A m o ng s t t h e se co mm o ditie s are me n
.

t i o n e d fra n ki n ce n se al o e s a n d o t h er s pice s fo r th e ‘
, ,

’
ki n g w h ic h were sh ip pe d fo r t h e la n d s t o t h e e a st with
, ,

wh ic h K a n e h ad an e stabli sh e d i n t e rc o urse ” Hadh ra .

m o ut s till c o n ti n u e s t o fo r w ard fra n k i n c e n s e but n o w ,

c h i e fl y b y t h e very O ld o ve rla n d ro ut e s n o rth war ds t o

N e j d an d w e s t w ards t o Y e m e n Th e c e n tre O f t h e tra ffic
.

i s t h e i n la n d t o w n o f Sh i b ah m n e arl y due n o rt h fro m

,

th e h aven O f Mo kalla H e re are carava n track s

.

‘
p o li sh e d by t h e so ft fe et o f milli o n s O f cam e l s th at h ad
S l o wl y passe d o ve r it fo r th o u s a nds and th o u sa n ds O f
ar s ( Be nt S o ut h e r n A rabia p r m t h i urc
’ ’

y e , ,F o . s so e

t h e Qu e e n O fS h eba mu s t h av e draw n muc h o fh e r s upplie s

b y t h e w e ster n ro ut e w h ic h s till c o n vey s t h e s e s pic e s t o

Sa n a . F ro m p e r so n al Ob s e rvati o n it w o ul d appear
‘

th at t h e a n ci e n t s h el d c o mmu n icat i o n with t h e H adh ra

m o ut alm o st e n tire l y b y th e la n d carava n ro ute as - -
,

t h ere i s ab so lut e l y n o trac e O f g reat a n tiquity to be

fo u n d al o n g t h e c o a s t li n e w h e rea s t h e Wa di Ha dh ra
-
,

m o ut itse l f a n d i ts co llat e ral bran ch es ar e very ric h i n

t h e r e mai n s O f t h e a n cie n t H im y aritic civili s ati o n
’

E vi de n tl y t h e w h o l e r e g i o n mu s t h ave bee n far m o r e

pro ductiv e an d m o re th ic k l y p e o pled i n fo rmer time s
 OPHI R A N D M OS CHA 77

t h an at pres ent. Th e h i g h way fro m K a n e t o t h e ro y al

re s i den ce Sab bat h a ( S h abwa ) pa ss e d by t h e rui ns O f
, ,

Nakb e l Haj ar wh ic h already l ay with i n th e fra n ki n ce ns e

-
,

lan d rule d o ve r by t h e Sabaea n ki n g E le azo s

and h a s bee n i d e n tifi e d b y Gla s er ( ii 17 5) wit h t h. e

pre se n t H i sn cl G h urab five day s fro m Sab b ath a It i s

-
.

impo rta nt to fix t h e p o s iti o n as t h e rui ns O f Nakb cl ,

Hajar are bro u g h t by B e n t i n t o relati o n wit h t h o se O f

R h o d e s ia O ur i n fo rmati o n O f th e se c o u n trie s [ S o uth
.
‘

A rabia &c] i s mea g re [ but g reatly e xte n de d s i n ce th es e

,
.

wo rds we re written ] but so m e O f th o se buil di ng s w h ich

,

are k no wn i n Yemen w hi c h se e m to c o mbi ne temple ,

an d fo rtre s s i n o ne as o n Zim b abwe , H ill may h ave ,

bee n built by th e s ame race th at c o nstru cte d Z imbabwe

a n d t h e elliptical t e mpl e s at Marib a nd Sirwa h an d t h e ,

o ne at N akab e l Haj ar wit h i t s n o rth and so uth

-
,

do o rway s seemi ng t o i n d icate an Ob servati o n O f t h e

m e ri d ia n may embo dy s o me O f t h e mat h e matical
,

pri nciples illu strated by t h e rui ns o f Mash o nala nd .

W h e n t h e o ri g i n a l buil de rs O f Z imbabwe h ave bee n

t rac e d t o th eir h o me [ S o ut h A rabia ] it will remai n t o ,

di sc o ver w h o were t h eir s uccesso rs i n Mas h o n ala nd

h P h oe n icia n s ] th at rebuilt t h e we s ter n wall O f t h e
[ t e

g reat t e mple a n d s o me p o rti o n s o f o t h er buil d i n s fo r

g ,

th i s c e rtai n l y w as n o t do n e by any O f t h e pre se n t

n eg r o [ B a n tu ] race s
3 3 .
’

After des cribi ng K a n e t h e Pe riplu s , 29) writ e s

A fter K an e wh ere th e mai n la n d recede s fart h er back

, ,

fo ll o w s a n o th er bi g h t reac h i ng far i n la n d an d e x te nd i ng
a l o n g w ay t h e SO called Sakh al i t i can d i n ce n se y i e l di n g
,
- -

’
d i strict . In 3 0 t h e p o s iti o n i s d etermi n e d b y t h e
78 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

Sy ag r o s h ead la nd [ se e R itt e r
ab o ve ] w h ere i s a s tr o n g
h o l d t o p r o tect t h e c o u n try a h arbo ur and a fra n ki n ce n se
, ,

Th en at A f t r S imm iat l
’
de pOt . 3 2 e
y g
a r o s e d e y
fo ll o w s a g ul f w h ic h s tretc h e s far i n la n d O ma n a with ,

a circuit O f 600 stadia [ furl o ng s n earl y ] and bey o n d it ,

h i g h ro ck y an d stee p cli ffs wh ere pe o ple dwell i n cave s

fo r a furt h er 5 00 s ta d ia a n d be y o n d t h e se t h e h arbo ur
,

called MO SC HA a wh arf k no w n as th e emp o rium fo r t h e

,

Sakh al i t i cfra n ki n ce n se
’
.

O n t h i s Glase r remark s ( 11 Sy ag r o s i s
.
‘

clearl y t h e R as cl Parta k H e re g ro ws th e be s t i n c e n s e
-
.

s till b y t h e Ma h ra s call e d mg h a r an d t h i s i s fro m t h e

,

s ame ro o t as t h e mo h r o to m e n ti o n e d i n Periplu s 11

a s e x po rte d fr o m t h e po rt O f Mo sy l lo n o n t h e S o mali

c o a s t [ It g re w an d s till g ro w s o n bo th S i de s bo th i n
.
,

th e A rabia n an d A frican MO kr o t O s ee m s t o
be mere l y a dimi n utive fo rm like t h e presen t [ K o ra n ic ]
A rab mg ha i r o t wh ic h i s t h e s ame wo rd
, O n e O f th e .

bes t ki nds O f i n ce ns e sh rub s i s s till called mo h r = mog h r

i n S o malila nd [ wh ic h g ive s t h e true so urce O f o u r w o rd

‘
Pli ny l o cates t h e Ha kk ili o n t h i s c o a s t w h ic h ,

e xte nds fro m t h e R as e l K e lb to wards Mirbat [ se e

-

R itt e r ab o ve ] but m o re particularl y c o mpri s e s t h e

,

Tafar ( D h afa r ) di strict Th e Hakkili ( Fres n e l s E h kili )

.
’

s till dwell h ere

’
.

F urt h er ( p 180) Ta far a n d A bi ss a Po l ls are reg arde d

.

as o n e an d t h e s ame place o f w h ic h Mo s ch a Po rtu s

,

w as t h e h arb o ur cl o se t o w h ere Pto lem y l o cat e s h i s

,

SA PPHA R METR O PO L I S o u r O PHI R , L a stl y Mo sch a i s .

i den tifie d with K h dr e l B e li d w h ere t h e c h ie f rui n s ar e

-
,
 80 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

O ph ir,
’
j u stc o mmercial la n g uag e we no w say th e
as in
d iam o n ds O f G o lc o n da t h e se n n a o f A le x a n dria t h e
, ,

c o ffe e O f Mo ch a Mal ag a rai s i ns Sm y r n a fig s Si sal

, , ,

h emp th e se place s be i ng t h e s e ap o rts w h e n ce s uc h

,

wares are fo rwarde d no t n eces s aril y t h e d i s tricts wh ere

,

th ey are g ro w n Suc h e xpress i o n s t e n d to bec o me

.

s tere o ty pe d an d as t h e
,
Yucata n fibre i s n o l o n g er
s h ippe d at Si s al alt h o u g h s till call e d Si sal h emp SO ‘ ’
, ,

t h e g o l d O f O p h ir became i n a se nse pro v e rbial i n

‘ ’

B iblical lan g uag e appare n tl y l o ng a fter O p h ir h ad

,

cea sed t o be a di stributo r o f c o s tl y fo rei g n ware s Its

’

true relati o n t o t h e trahi e i n s uc h pro d uc e i s at las t

be g i n n i n g t o be u nders t o o d by t h e co mm e ntat o rs an d ,

Mr H C Hart fo r i n s t a n c e re mar k s i n re fe re n c e t o
. . .
, ,

the peaco c k ques tio n : H e n ce it i s c o n clu de d th at

‘

Th arsh i s h o r O p h ir w as s ituate d o n t h e c o as t O f
Malabar o r i n Cey l o n o r el s e th at c o s tl y ware s ca me
,

m h m i m d i m i m 37 Her ’

f r o t e r e to s o e n te r e a te e p o r u e w e .

h ave th e u sual c o n fu s i o n betwe e n Th arsh i s h an d O p h ir ,

a s i f t h e y w e re b o t h t h e s ame place s o me d i s ta n t o v e r ,

s e a la n d o cca s i o n all y vi s ite d b y t h e fle e t s O f H iram an d

,

o th e r Ph oe n icia n s t h e vo y ag e t h ere an d back be i n g

,

s upp o se d b y ma ny t o h ave take n t h ree y ears B ut t h e .

t e xt s make it p e rfe ctl y cl e ar t h at th ey were tw o di ffere n t

place s and t h at t h e vo y ag e t o Th ar sh i sh an d back di d
,

n o t tak e t h re e y ear s but w as m ad e e ver y t h ree y e ar s

, ,

e xactl y li k e t h e Spa n i s h
’
s ilv e r fle e t wh ic h i n c o l o n ial
,

t ime s s ail e d e v e ry t h re e y e ar s fro m A capulc o i n Me x ic o

v i a Ma n ila t o Cad iz Th u s 1 K i n g s x 2 2 : Fo r t h e ‘
. .

k i ng h ad at se a a n avy O f Th arsh i sh wit h th e n avy o f

H iram o nc e i n th r e e y e a r s came t h e n avy O f Th ar s h i s h ,
 OPHI R A N D M OS CHA 81

bri n g i ng g o l d and s ilver ivo ry and ap e s an d pe ac o ck s

, , , .
’

Th e e x pre s s i o n n avy o f Th arsh i sh twice re p e ate d

‘ ’

, ,

wo ul d alm o s t impl y t h at Th ar sh i s h lik e O p h ir w as , ,

a naval stati o n O f th e h o me la n d B ut Jero m e s m o re .

’

accurate V ul g ate sh o w s th at Th arsh i sh w as s o me fo rei g n

’
plac e t o w h ic h S o l o m o n s n avy s ail e d o n c e i n th re e
ear retur i t h e n c e w it h t h e c s tl w are 38
y s , n n g o y s .

Mo re imp o rta n t fo r u s i s t h e s tat e m e n t i n 1 K i ng s

x 15. t h at be s i de s t h e 666 tal e n t s O f g o l d bro u g h t to
S o l o m o n i n o n e y e a r ( sh o ul d be e ve ry y e a r pe r a n no s ,
‘

h e re c e ive d m o re g o l d O f t h e merc h a n tm e n ‘
,

a n d O f t h e t r afli c k O f t h e s pice m e rc h a n t s an d O f all t h e ,

ki n g s O f Arabia a n d o f t h e g o v e rn o rs O f t h e co u n try
,
’
.

Th e me n ti o n o f s p i c e s a n d ki n g s O f A rabia bri n g s u s
back t o O ph ir wh ic h may n o w wit h so m e c o n fi de n c e be
,

l o cate d i n S o ut h A rabia S i n c e a di s ti n cti o n i s h ere drawn

,

betwe e n t h e i n de pe n de n t k i ng s ( O f Y e me n ) an d t h o se
art s O f N o rt h A rabia ( E d o m & c) o v e r w h ic h a ft e r t h eir
p , . ,

c o n que s t b y t h e ki n g g o ver n o r s h ad b e e n app o i nte d

, .

N o w i n S o ut h A rabia wit h i t s fo rbi dd i n g ro ck bo u nd

,
-

c o ast t h e re a r e but fe w plac e s t o c h o o se fro m an d O f

, ,

t h e se i n c o m parabl y th e m o s t li k el y i s t h e abo ve de scribed -

MESHA o r MO SC HA w h ic h i n G e n x fo ll o w s imme
, . .

d i at e ly a fte r O p h ir a nd Havila h Th i s j ux tap o siti o n

. ,

wh ic h ca n n o t b e acci de n tal i s alre ady s i g n i ficat i ve but

, ,

bec o m e s s till m o re s o w h e n we re ad ( G e n x 30) th at . .

‘
t h e ir dw e lli ng w as fro m Me sh a as t h o u g o e s t un to ,

S e ph ar a m o u nt O f t h e e a st
,
’
Here it i s to b e n o t ed th at
.

Mo sch a a no th er fo rm O f w h ic h i s Mo c h a mea n s lik e t h e

, , ,

prese n t be nde r ( B e n de r A bbas B e nder Mnr i y ah B e nder

-
,
-
,

G o ri , a h arbo ur o r h av e n i n g e n e ral and t h at o f ,

G
82 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

t h i s particular Mo sch a A r r i an tell s u s th at i n h i s tim e

s s till muc h fr e qu e n t e d fo r t h e
( s ec o n d ce n tur y A D ) it w a . .

Sa kh al i t i ci nce ns e Obtai n ed t h e re 39 Th i s fi xe s t h e s p o t.

becau se t h e Sakh ali t i cb ay l ay cl o s e by an d i n fact i s t h e ,

e a st e r n s ecti o n O f B e n t s fra n ki n c e n s e y i e l d i n g D h o fa r
’
-
.

We h ave s een wh at a s pl e n di d h arb o ur th i s Mo sch a w a s

i n fo rm e r time s w h e n it w as c o mm o n l y k n o w n a s t h e
,

Po r tus N o bi l i s o r as o ne mi g h t n o w Say t h e H a rb o u r
, , ,

i n a pr e emi ne n t se n se
-
I t h e re fo re i n fer b y a pro c e s s
.

O f e limi n ati o n an d o n t h e g ro u n ds h e re S p e cifi e d t h at

t h i s H ave n pa r exce ll e n ce w as i n fact th e po rt o f O ph i r ,

wh ic h it sel f s to o d a littl e i n la n d ro u nd abo ut t h e h e ad o f ,

t h e i n l e t w h ic h B e n t t e ll s u s i s s urro unde d b y man y ‘

,

r ui n s a n d w as r e ac h e d fro m Mesh a as t h o u g o e s t u n t o
,
’

S e ph ar Me sh a t h e i de n tity O f w h ic h with Mo s ch a
.
’
,

can n o t be do ubt e d w as th u s t h e p o rt o f O ph ir w h ic h
, ,

w a s it s el f acc e s s ibl e t o s e a g o i n g v e ss e l s b y t h e ab o v e
-

d e s cribe d l o n g de e p c h a n n e l n o w s ilt e d U p at i t s m o ut h
, .

O ph ir w as t h u s t h e p o rt O f e n try a n d th e d i s tributo r O f
fo re i g n ware s w h ic h arriv e d e v e ry t h re e y e ars a n d ,

i n clu de d e sp e ciall y g o l d t h e n c e call e d t h e g o l d o f o r

,
‘

fro m O p h ir It w as al s o t h e o utl e t fo r t h e l o c a l
’
.

pro duce m o re particularl y t h e fra n ki n cen se a n d m y rrh

,

wh ic h t h e S pic e m e rc h a n t s an d all t h e ki n g s O f
‘ ’ ‘

A r a b i a fo rwarde d t o t h e C o urt o f S o l o m o n a n d w h ic h ,

d ru g s ar e s till h e re s h ipp e d i n A rab dh o ws fo r B o mb ay

t o t h e y earl y am o u n t O f ab o ut cw t .

O p h ir w as furt h e r a Saba e a n a n d no t a Ph oe n icia n

p o rt an d w e h av e se e n th at i n t h i s di strict al o n e s till
,

s urvive s t h e a n ci e n t H im y aritic t o ng ue l o call y k n o w n as

E h kili . O n t h i s E h k ili la n g ua g e I c o ntribute d a s h o rt

84 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

SO t h i s mu s t be Mes ala wh ic h i s t h e n re m o v e d to th e
,

s o ut h we s t c o a s t O f A rabia t h at i s t o Muza n ear Mo k h a

-
, ,

a nd as Muza w h erever s ituate d w as a fam o u s O ld

, ,

e mp o rium t h e c h ie f i f no t t h e o n l y mart fo r m y rr h i n
, ,

t h e time O f th e Periplu s Mas h al i h a n ear Mo k h a ,

’
, ,

answers perfectl y well ( ii p I B ut Pli ny and

’
. .

the Periplu s tell u s t h at t h e v o y ag e fr o m B ere n ik e o n

t h e R e d Sea c o a s t O f E g y pt tak e s ab o ut t h irty d ay s t o

O ce l i s o r t o t h e i n ce n se y iel d i ng K an e d i s trict
,
-
Th e n .

Pli n y a dds t h at t h ere i s a th ird h arbo ur bes i de s C e c l i s an d

K a n e t h at i s Muza w h ic h i s fre que n t e d b y t h e traders
, , ,

t r afli c
‘
ki ng i n fra n k i n ce n s e a n d A rabia n s pic e s Th e .

s tati o n li e s i n la nd w h e re t h e ro al re s i d e n c e i s Sa h a
y, pp r .

O n t h i s Gla ser bec o me s quit e u n i n t e lli g ibl e ( p no t .

k n o wi n g t h at Muza ( Mo se h a ) m e an t a h arbo ur i n g e nera l .

He n ce t h ere mi g h t b e a t h ird as Pli n y s ay s o r i n fact ,

’

, , ,

a ny n umber Fo r u s t h e pa ssa g e i s p e r fectl y clear a n d

. ,

pro ve s c o n vi n ci n g ly t h at Pli ny s Muza w as n o t Mash a ’

li h a n ear Mo k h a but o u r Mo sch a th e h arbo ur O f O p h ir

, , , .

Muza th u s d i sappears as a rival b e cau se it i s Mo se h a ,

it se l f an d t h i s mi g h t o n re fl e cti o n be acc e pte d b y Glase r

, ,

s i n ce at p 1 6 8 h e a d mit s th at h i s Mu z a l ay i n la n d
.

(
‘
l a n d w a r ts fr o m M o k h a a s i n de e d it do e s t o t h i s d ay
, .

C o n se que n tl y it i s n o t a h arb o ur at all n o r d i d it l e ad ,

t o any place i n particular w h il e o u r Mo s c h a w as a ,

mag n ifice n t h arb o ur o n e a nd a h al f mil e l o ng l e adi n g

, ,

t o t h e ro y al re s i de n c e O f Sapph ar o r O p h ir as t h o u
‘
, ,

e s t u n t o S e p h ar a m o u n t O f t h e ea s t T r o a d it
’

g o , h e .
,

may be add ed travers e s t h e ric h est liba n i fe ro u s la nd i n

,

A rabia .

D eali ng with th e Me sh a and Mo u nt Seph ar me n

 OPHI R A N D M OS CHA 8 5
t i o ne d to g eth er i n vers e 30 o f G e n x Glas er remark s . ,

p
( 4 37 )
. t h at S e p h ar i s a freque ntly recurri ng g e o g r aph i
ca l n am e with suc h varia n ts as Safai r a Sa far E s Sa fi r
, , ,
-
.

B ut h e a d mits t h at we h ave h ere a place eit h e r o n t h e

so ut h c o a s t O f Ye me n o r o n th e fra n ki n ce n s e c o as t
, ,

t h at i s B e n t s D h o far o r i n O m an still fart h er e ast ; i n

,
’

, ,

an y ca s e i n t h e so ut h t h o u g h h e s till do ubts w h et h er
,

it i s th e same as h i s Ta far Th e n fo ll o ws wh at to me .

seem s a stra ng e n o n s e q u i t u r t h at i s t o s ay i f Mo u n t
, ,

Sep h ar i s i n th e s o ut h t h e n Mesh a mu st be ma ny h un
,

d reds O f mile s away t o th e no rth He acc o rd i n g l y .

s u g g e st s t h at it ma be t h e Jebel S h am m ar O f n o rt h
y
central A rabia w h ic h h e i de n tifie s with t h e Mas h O f
,

the A ssy ria n rec o rds w h ic h Ma sh i n clu de s Ma ss a

,
.

B ut i n t h at case h e g o e s o n Ma ss a m us t be i de n tical
’
, ,

wit h Me sh a a n d h e a s k s alm o st i n de spe rati o n wh eth er

,
’

all th ree Ma sh Mes h a a n d Massa may n o t be

—
,
—
,

arbi t rary s pelli n g s O f o ne an d th e s am e n a me i n th e

Ma so r e tic te x t s o r fro m di ffe re n t do cume n ts He seem s
, . .

h im se l f t o feel t h at t h e reaso n i ng i s u n sati s fact o ry as t h e ,

re s ult a ss ure d l y i s F o r t w o plac e s br o u g h t cl o se t o g eth e r

.

i n w h at Say ce tell s u s i s a g e o g rap h ical n o t an e t h n o ,

l o g ical do cume n t ( s e e abo ve) are h ere vi o le n tl y d ivo rced

, , ,

o n e bei n g l e ft o n t h e s o ut h c o a s t O f A rabia w h ile t h e o t h er ,

i s s pirite d away t o t h e far n o rt h !

A de n ( A rabia E u daem o n w h e n ce so me suppo se d ,

A rabia F eli x t o h ave bee n n ame d ) and t h e K a n e O f

Hadh r amo ut n ee d n o t de tai n us N e it h e r O f th e m .

h as a Mo u nt Sep h ar no r an a dj ace n t Sak h ali t i cGul f

, ,

n o r a ny Sakh al i t i c i n ce n s e n o r a lime s t o n e ra n g e wit h

,

i n h abited cave s i n t h e back g ro un d n o r a Sy ag r o s h e a d ,

86 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

la nd ( Mirbat ) i n fro n t n o r t h e s ple nd i d h a ve n strew n

,

wit h mag n ific e n t H imy aritic rui n s wh ic h fix t h e p o s iti o n ,

O f O p h ir be y o n d r e a so n abl e do ubt .

We can n o w fix t h e very mean i ng O f th e w o rd w h ich ,

a s ab o v e e x plai n e d h a s t h e s e n s e n e it h e r O f ric h e s
, no r

o f red It s i de n tity w it h Sapph a r a n d all i t s varian t s

‘ ’
.

bei ng a s c e rtai n e d I find t h at t h i s Sapph ar m e a n s a

,

‘
capital a m e tro po li s
,
’ ‘
Th e evi de n c e i s n o t o ver
.
’

w h elmi n g but I t h i n k s u ffi cie n t

, Spe aki n g ( p 24 1 ) O f . .

Pto l e m y s ab o v e qu o t e d Sapph ar Me tr o p o li s Gla se r

’ ‘ ’
-
,

re mark s trul y e n o u g h t h at it i s t o b e s o u g h t i n t h e
, ,

c o u n try O f t h e Mah ra p e o pl e a dd i n g : Sapph ar Me tro ,

po li s = Ta far Me tro po li s i s s trict ly spe a k i n g a t auto l o g y

, , , ,

s i n c e Ta far it se l f mea n s e sse n tiall y n o t h i ng el se th a n

E very larg e an d fam o u s city may
”
“
m e tro po li s .

acc o rd i n g l y be so i n d icated In t h e pre se n t i n s tan c e .

we h ave pro b abl y t o do with R ai dah w h ic h i n t h e ,

“
Periplu s al so i s s i milarl y call e d Tafar ( Saph a r o r
H e r e o n e O f t h e varia nt s i s A ph ar w h ich i s ,

Obvi o u s l y t h e sa me w o rd as O p h ir an d O ph ir i s t h u s e x ,

plai n e d b y p e rh ap s t h e firs t livi n g H i my aritic s c h o lar t o

m e a n m e tro p o li s Th u s wh il e Mo sch a i s t h e Po rtu s N o bili s
. ,

t h e S eap o rt i n a pr e emi n e n t se n se t h e n ei g h b o uri n g

-
,

city at t h e h e ad o f t h e de ep i n let i s t h e metro p o li s i n a

pre emi ne n t s e n se Th e paralleli s m i s so c o mpl e t e th at
-
.

it mi g h t g ive ri se t o s u s pici o n di d it n o t re st o n t h e
auth o rity O f Glas er h im s el f Th e R ai dah it may b e .
,

a dded h e re s p o k e n O f w as at t h at tim e o ne O f t h e g re at
,

H im y aritic State s I n t h e ro ck i n scripti o n s Sab a

.

( S h eba ) a n d R a i d an a r e o ft e n m e n ti o n e d i n cl o s e a s s o cia
ti o n a n d Marib s h are d with Saph ar ( O ph ir) t h e h o no ur
,
88 THE G OLD OF OPHIR

C H A PTE R IX

T HE TWE L V E O PHI R S— T HA R SHI SH A N D HAV I L A H

B U T w e h av e no wc o n s i der h o w far all th i s h ar

to

mo n i s e s wit h t h e actual re fe ren c e s made i n Scri pture t o

O ph ir T h arsh i sh Havilah an d th e i n ci de nt s m e n ti o n e d
, , ,

i n c o n n e cti o n wit h t h e g o l d a n d o th e r trea s ure s bro u g h t

t o t h e c o urt s O f D avi d an d S o l o m o n I t h i n k I sh all b e
.

abl e to S h o w t h at t h e h arm o ny i s c o mplet e O p h ir i s .

men ti o n ed alt o g et h e r twelve time s and it will b e co n ,

ve n i e n t h ere t o c o llect t h e pa ss a g e s

( )
a Ge n . x. 29 A n d O p h ir ,
H avila h a n d J o bab
an d , .

b
( ) 1 K i n g s i x 2 8 : A n d t h ey came to O p h ir
.
. an d ,

fetc h ed fro m th e n c e g o l d fo ur h u nd red an d

,

twe n ty tale nt s a n d bro u g h t it t o K i n g

,

So lo m o n .

c
( ) 1 K i ng s x 1 1 . A n d t h e n avy al so o f H iram t h at ,

bro u g h t g o l d fr o m O ph ir bro u g h t i n fro m

,

O p h ir g re at pl e n ty O f almu g trees an d pre ,

ci o ns s to ne s .

d
( ) 1 K i ng s x x ii 4 8 : J
. e h o s h ap h at ma d e S h ip s of

Th arsh i sh t o g o t o O ph ir fo r g o l d : but th ey
we n t n o t fo r t h e sh ip s were bro ke n a t E z i o n
g eber .
 THE T WE L VE OPHI R S 89

( ) e C
1 h r o n i . 2 3 : . A n d O p h ir a n d H avila
, h an ,d
J o bab .

(f ) 1 C h r o n xx . i x 4 : E ve .n t h ree t h o u s a n d tale n t s o f

g o l d O f,
t h e g o l d o f O p h ir a n d s eve
, n t h o u s a nd

tale nts o f refi ne d S ilv e r t o o verlay t h e wall s o f ,

t h e h o u ses wit h a l .

(g ) 2 C h r o n viii. 1 8 : . A n d Huram s e n t h i m [ t o

S o l o m o n ] by t h e h a n ds o f h i s serva nt s sh ip s
, , ,

an d se rva n t s t h at h ad k no wl e dg e O f t h e s e a ;

an d t h ey we n t wit h t h e s erva n ts O f S o l o m o n

t o O p h ir a nd t o o k t h e n c e fo ur h u n d red an d
,

fi fty tal e n ts O f g o l d and bro u g h t th em t o K i ng ,

So lo mo n .

h
( ) 2 C h r o n i x . 10 A. n d t h e s e rva n t s al s o o f H uram ,

an d t h e s erva n t s O f S o l o m o n w h ic h bro u g h t ,

g o l d f r o m O p h ir br o u g h t,
al g um tree s a n d
preci o u s sto n es .

i
( ) J o b x x ii 2 4 :
. T h e n s h alt t h o u l a y U p g o l d a s

du s t an d t h e g o l d o f O p h ir as s to n e s O f t h e
,

bro o k s .

(j ) J o b x x viii 1 6 : . I t ca n n o t be value d wit h t h e

o l d O f O p h ir wit h t h e preci o u s o ny x o r t h e
g , ,

s app h ire .

( )
h P l K i au h t r ere am h
’
S x . v 9 :. n g s d g e s w o n g t y
h o n o urable w o me n : U p o n t h y ri g h t h a n d di d
s ta n d t h e quee n i n g o l d o f O p h ir .

1
( ) I s x iii
. 12
. : I will make a m a n m o re pr e ci o u s

th a n fine g o l d ; eve n a man th a n t h e g o l de n

wedg e O f O ph ir .

A S Th ars h i sh al so o ccurs i n cl o se c o nnecti o n with

O p h ir an d i s Ofte n c o n fu se d wit h it by t h e c o m me n ta
,
99 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

t o rs ,
m e h o l di ng t h at th e y were o n e an d th e same place
so ,

t h e p e rti n e n t pa s s a g e s may h e re al s o b e i n tr o duc e d

m
( ) G e n x
. .
4 : A n d t h e s o n s O f J ava n E li s h a h a n d ,

Tarsh i sh K ittim an d D o da n im
, , .

( )
n 1 K i n g s x 22 . F o r t h e k i n g h a d at s e a a n av y O f
Th ar s h i sh w ith t h e n avy o fH iram o nc e i n t h re e

y ear s came t h e n av y O f T h ar s h i s h bri n g gi n ,

g o l d ,
a n d s ilver iv o ry a n d
,
ap e s a n d,
peac o c k s ,
.

( )
o 1 K i n g s x x ii 4 8 a s ab
. o ve d
( ) .

( p) C h r i ki h ip we t
’
2 o n .x 2 1 : .F o r t h e n g s s s n t o

Ta r s h i sh w it h t h e se rva n t s O f Huram : e ve ry
th re e y e ars o n c e cam e t h e s h ip s o f Tarsh i s h
bri n g i n g g o l d a n d S ilve r i vo ry an d ap e s a nd
, , , ,

p e ac o c k s .

(q ) 2 C h r o n x . x 6
3 37 . : A n d,
h e [ J e h o s h ap h at k i n g ,

O f J u d a h ] j o i n e d h im s el f wit h h i m [ A h a z ia h ,

ki n g o f Is rael ] t o mak e sh ip s t o g O t o Tarsh i sh

an d t h e y made t h e S h ip s i n E z i o n g abe r -
.

Th e n E li e z e r t h e s o n O f D o davah O f Mar e s h ah
, ,

pro ph e s i e d ag ai n s t J e h o sh ap h at s ay i n g , ,

B e c a u s e t h o u h a s t j o i n e d t h y se l f wit h A h a z ia h ,

t h e L O R D h at h bro k e n t h y w o r k s A n d th e .

s h ip s w e r e br o k e n t h at t h e w r t abl t
y e e
, n o e o g o

t o T a r sh i s h .

( )r P S l.x x ii 1 0 .: T h e ki n g s O f T ar s h i s h a n d O f t h e

i s l e s sh all bri n g prese n t s t h e ki n g s O f S h e ba

a n d S e ba s h all O ffe r i f t
g s .

( )s E z e k .xx vii 1 2 :. T ar s h i s h w as t h y m e rc h a n t b y
re aso n O f t h e m ultitu de O f all ki n d o f ric h es ;
with s ilver iro n t i n an d lead th ey tra ded i n
, , , ,

t h y fairs A nd .
92 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

were se ve ral places s o n amed w h ile o th ers h av e bee n i n

,

clu ded wh ic h h ave n o claim t o t h e d i s ti ncti o n Suc h i s .

t h e Tar t e ssus O f Ib e ria ( Spai n ) w h ic h i s c o mm o n l y but

,

wro n g l y i de n tifie d wit h t h e Tarsh i sh O f (d ) (n ) &c , , .

Say ce am o n g st o t h e rs writes ( op ci t p 4 7 )
. . . Tar sh i sh
i s u s uall y i d e n tifie d wit h Tar t e ss us i n Spai n It w a s .

t h e fart h e s t p o i n t reac h e d i n t h e we s tern ba s i n O f t h e

Me d ite rra n e a n b y t h e Ph oe n icia n a n d Gre e k trade r s .

Th e s h ip s w h ic h mad e t h e v o y a g e w e re c o n s eque n t ly
k n o wn as t h e S h ip s w h ic h trade d t o Tarsh i sh o r ,

m o re briefly s h ip s O f Tarsh i sh
, .
’
Th e ph ra se g radually
cam e t o be appli e d t o a n y k i n d O f m e rc h a n t ve s s e l e ve n ,

t o t h o s e w h ic h h a d n e v e r vi s it e d Tars h i s h at all .

SO al so To zer muc h t o t h e s ame e ffe ct ( op c it p 7) . . .

Th e n e i g h b o uri n g re g i o n o fso uth e r n Spai n w as k n o w n

t h ro u g h t h em [ t h e Ph oe n ician s o r th e ir Carth ag i n ian
des ce n da n t s] a s Tars h i sh o r Tar te ssus a n ame wh ic h
—

w as de rive d fro m t h e trib e t h at i n h abite d it t h e Turti ,

or T u r de t an i O f t h i s w e h ear e ve n i n t h e g e ne al o g i e s
.

i n t h e te n t h c h apt e r O f t h e bo o k O f Ge n e s i s [ m] an d i n ,

S o l o m o n s tim e ( 1000 B C ) it i s me n ti o n e d i n c o n n e x i o n
’
. .

w it h t h e n avy O f H iram ki n g O f Ty r e [ n ]
,
.

H e re i s a curi o us ble n d O f trut h a nd w h at mu s t be

call e d ficti o n w h ic h w as partl y due t o p o p ular e ty mo
,

l o g i e s but i n any ca se h as a ve n e rable a n tiquity dati n g

, ,

c e rtai n l y fro m th e time O f t h e A l e x a n dria n Gre e k s an d ,

p o ss ibl y ev e n fro m t h at O f E z eki e l h im s el f Th e Tar .

s h i s h o f ( m) w as e quate d wit h t h e Iberia n Tu r ti o r

Tu r de ta n i alt h o u g h t h ey were O f Hamitic s to ck lik e
, ,

41 wh er eas
t h e B asque s s till s urvivi n g i n n o rt h w e s t Spai n
-
,

t h e Tar sh i sh O f ( m) w as a t h at i s an
’
s o n o f J ava n
‘
,
 THE T WE L VE OPHI R S 93

A s iatic Gre e k , an A ry a n
( J ava n I o n i a n ) a n d t h i s ,

Tars h i sh w as i n Cilicia 42 n o t i n Spai n at t h e o t h er e n d

, ,

o f t h e Me d iterra n ea n o r rat h e r o n t h e A tla n tic O c e a n a

, ,

little b e y o n d th e Pillars o f H e rcules .

B ut w as Tar t e s sus a se ap o rt at all ? Was it n o t

rath e r t h e n ame o f th e de ltaic i s la nd at th e m o ut h o f
t h e B ae t i s ( Gua dalquivir ) w h ere Strab o Pau sa n ia s an d
, , ,

o t h ers l o cate t h e fam o u s se ap o rt O f Ga de s (Po r tus

Ga di ta n us ) t h e pre se n t Cad i z
,
B u t all o wi ng t h at it w as
a t o w n o r so me s mall p l ac e cl o se t o t ho u g h di sti n ct ,

fro m Ga des h i sto rical g e o g raph e rs will s till remembe r

, ,

t h at i n la n d fro m th e Tur de tan i were th e ki ndred Tur du l i ,

w h o se capital w as I l l i be r i s ( E l i be r r i s ) a w o rd w h ic h ,

al so o ccurs el s ew h ere i n Iberia a nd e ve n bey o n d it an d

, ,

i s s till g o o d B a sque fo r N e w to w n W h e n H a n n ibal

.
‘

cro s se d i n t o Gallia N arb o ne n s i s o n h i s marc h t o I tal y ,

h e cam e U p o n a fl o uri sh i n g city I l l i be r i s a n ame w it h ,

w h ich h i s Iberia n alli e s wer e familiar becau se th e y h ad ,

le ft be h i n d th em i n th eir o w n t e rrito ry O fB aetica ( A nda

lu s ia ) a n o t h er place O f th e s ame n ame m e a n i ng i n th eir
”
la ng uag Newto wn as it till d
e s, o e s i n m o der n B a s que 4 3 .
’

A l l t h e se a n cie n t A ndalu s ia n s w e re t h ere fo re I b e ria n

H amite s fro m N o rth A frica an d no t Helle n ic s o n s O f
,

J ava n fro m t h e E ura sia n s tepp e la n ds B ut t h e n am e s .

s e e m e d n e ar e no u g h an d s o ,
t h e Tar sh i sh m e rc h a n t s

becam e Carth ag i n ia ns i n t h e Septuag i nt vers i o n O f(s ) ,

becaus e t h ey h ad s ettlem e n t s i n Spai n s uc h as Car th a ,

n a a n d es peciall y Gad e s cl o se t o t h e Tar t e s s us O f t h e

g e , ,

Tur de t an i .

it w as fo rg o tte n t h at Spai n c o ul d no t s uppl y all

B ut
t h at multitu de o f all ki n d o f rich e s re ferre d to i n (s ) ,
94 THE GOL D OF OPHI R

th e ivo ry ,
i nsta nce an d t h e peac o ck s e x pre ss l y me n
fo r ,

t i o n e d i n ( n) Fo r th es e c o mm o d itie s eve n i f t h e pea

. ,

c o ck s w ere o n ly g ui ne a fo wl we mu st g o to th e Ind ia n
,
’

O cea n w h ere so me o t h er Tarsh i sh — th at O f (d ) ( n ) an d

, ,

— mu s t h ave e x i sted B h d i fficult

(p) u t .t e y i s t o
g e t

t h ere be fo re th e o pen i n g O f t h e Sue z Ca n al Th e re w as .

c e rtai n l y a natural waterway be twee n t h e Me diterra n e a n

a n d R e d Sea s i n Pl e i s t o ce n e ti me s say , y
, ear s

ag o ,a n d alt h o u g h t h at w as g ra duall y cl o se d by up
h e av al it i s s ai d t o h av e be e n i n d irectl y re st o re d by t h e
,

Ph arao h s O f t h e n i ne tee n t h dy n a sty so me y e ar s

ag o . A tra d iti o n m e n ti o n ed by Stra bo attribute s t h e

re st o rati o n t o Seso stri s ( R a m se s t o w h o m so ma ny

e x pl o it s w e re cre d it e d I t a pp e ars t o h ave re all y be e n

.

t h e w o rk o f h i s fat h er Set h i ( Me ne pta h I 1 3 66 B C ) it . . .

d i d n o t h o we ver r u n s trai g h t fro m se a t o se a but fro m a ,

bra n c h o f th e Nile delta at B ub ast e s n ear t h e pre se n t ,

Zag a z i g ea stwards t o s o me po i n t ab o ve t h e h ead O f

,

t h e Gul f o f Su e z Th i s ca n al appears t o h av e b e e n
.

ag ai n cl o s ed perh aps by t h e bl o w n sa n ds an d H ero do tu s

, ,

t e ll s u s th at a n o t h e r ru n n i n g muc h i n t h e sam e d ire cti o n

, ,

w as b e g u n but n ev e r fi n i s h e d b y N e ko ( N e c h o ) so n O f
, , ,

Ps amme t i c us (6 20 Th i s i s t h e ki ng w h o s e n t a
Ph oe n icia n fleet t o circum n avi g ate A frica an d t h e re i s ,

d rea so n t o be liev e t h at t h e e x pe diti o n w as s u cc e s s

g o o

ful . N o t so t h e ca n a l w h ic h a fter c o sti ng t h e live s O f

, ,

h a nds w as aba n do n e d becau s e O f an o racle de

,

e la t i n g t h at it w o ul d b e u t ili s e d by fo rei g n er s It w as .

so utili se d by D ariu s O f Per s ia w h o o pe ne d a wi de c

, om

mu n i cat i o n be tween t h e N il e an d t h e Gul fO f A rs i n o e and ,

eve n be g a n an o th e r ru n n i n g d irectl y to th e same po i n t

 96 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

h ad i t s Ph oe n icia n quarter an d i ts patro n deity h ad a

,

Ph oe n icia n n ame Pta h ( Th e O pe n er )

— Heli o po li s w a s .

th e C ity o f t h e Sun an d O f th e s acred R e d B ird O f

'

t h e S o uth — t h e Ph oe n i x Th e N ile th e n fl o wed cl o se b y

.

t h i s fam o u s city B ub as t i s t h e City o f B a s t th e cat

.
, ,

h eade d g o dde s s t o wh o s e peculiar cult t h e m o der n

,

w o rl d o we s t h e do me sticat i o n O f pu s s ( B i s s B ess are , ,

t h e S o uth A rabia n n am e s fo r cat ) w as s ituated at t h e ,

j u n cti o n O f t h e R e d Sea C h an n el and th e m o s t easterl y

bra n c h O f t h e N ile to t h e Med iterran e a n at Pe lusi um .

It w as a plac e o f c o n s i derable imp o rta n c e an d mu s t ,

h ave b e e n freque n te d b y sh ip s a n d s ea fare r s fro m ma n y

d i ffere n t c o u n trie s .T h e Pro to Ph oe n ici a n o r H im y arite
-

n avi g at o rs o f t h e Great e r R e d Sea h ad pro babl y learn t

t h e art O f o c e a n s aili ng fro m t h at still m o re primitiv e

-

s ea fari n g pe o ple t h e Pr o to Malay s so m e time s called

-

t h e O cea n ic o r t h e Malay Po l y n e s ia n rac e

’
-
.

Th e Malay o Po l y ne s ia n s h ave n o do ubt a lway s

-

been dari ng s ea farers but we S h all se e th at t h e H im

,

y a r i t e s a n d P h o e n icia n s d i d n o t n e e d t o l e ar n t h e art o f

n avi g ati o n fro m t h em . N o r d o t h e Jew s a n d Ph oe n icia n s

app e ar t o h av e ma de muc h use O f t h e E g y ptia n water
w ay s i n c e w e ar e e xpre s s l y t o l d at (9) t h at J e h o sh ap h at
, ,

ki n g o f J u dah w as alrea dy b uil di ng sh ips fo r h im sel f i n

,

E z i o n g e be r t h o u g h t o be s ure t h ey w ere wre cke d

-
, , ,

be fo re s aili n g fo r Tarsh i sh . B e s i des i n t h e time O f ,

Seth i t h e E g y ptian s h ad th e ir h e el o n t h e n eck s O f t h e

pe o ple s o f Ca n aa n ( Pal e s ti n e Ph ili stia Ph oe n icia) Th e
, , .

reat s t e l e O f t h at ki n g f o u n d b y Pro fe ss o r F li n d er
g s

Petrie i n 1 896 at Th eb e s h as an i nscripti o n c e lebrati n g

h i s vict o rie s i n w h ic h Is rael i s me n ti o n e d b y n ame fo r
,
 THE T WE L VE OPHI R S 97

th e firs t tim e O ne passa g e i s th u s tra n slated by D r

. .

Spi e g e lberg : K h e ta [ t h e H ittite s ] i s quieted Th e —

—
Peo pl e O f I s rael i s lai d was te S e i z ed i s Ca n aa n wit h
—
every evil L e d away i s A s kalo n Tak e n i s Ge z er
—

Gaza I i s imp o s s ible t o s upp o s e t h at t h e Ph oe n i

[ t

ci an s c o ul d h ave be e n u si n g a wat e rway ru n n i n g t h ro u g h

E g y pt at t h i s peri o d o r eve n fo r s o me tim e a fterwards
, .

A bo ut 3 00 y ear s lat e r t h e y b e g a n t o bre ath e a g ai n an d ,

it w as th en th at t h e ki n g s O f Ty re an d I s rael s truck up
a n allia n c e war ned b y pre vi o u s d i s asters cau se d b y
,

disu n i o n .

I t i s t o b e care full y n o te d t h at t h e pa s s ag e i n ( d )
J e h o sh aph at ma de sh ip s O f Th arsh i sh t o g o to O ph ir
fo r g o l d i s e x plai ne d at (q ) w h e re Tars h i sh take s t h e
’

, ,

plac e O f O ph ir an d i s repeat e d twic e : to make S h ip s

,
‘

t o g o t o T ar sh i sh an d A n d t h e sh ip s were bro ke n
‘

th at th e y were no t abl e t o g o to Tarsh i sh It i s pre

’
.

ci se l y t h e s am e i n th e H e bre w an d Vul g ate 8 0 th at ,

Th ar s h i sh i s Obvi o u s l y t o b e d i s ti n g ui s h e d fro m O ph ir
as t h e te r mi n us a d q u e m t h e Objectiv e w h il e E z i o n g ebe r
, ,
-

i s t h e te r mi n us a q u o t h e po rt O f cl e ara n ce at t h e h ea d O f
,

t h e R e d Se a O p h ir as we S h all se e l y i n g abo ut mi dwa y

, , ,

bet w e e n t h e t w o .

O u r Th arsh i sh i s t h e re fo re so me s e ap o rt i n t h e I n dia n
O c e a n an d n o t i n t h e Med ite rra n e a n o r o n t h e Ib e ria n
, ,

s h o re s o f t h e A tla n tic w h e re n o iv o ry o r p e ac o ck s were

‘

t o be h ad A n d i f it be a s ke d h o w a s eap o rt o f t h i s
.

n ame s tray e d fro m t h e n o rt h er n i n t o t h e so ut h er n waters ,

t h e e xpla n ati o n s eem s s impl e Th e Ph oe n icia n s were

.

familiar with all O f t h e Me diterra n ea n Th ar sh i sh e s so m e , ,

o r e v e n all o f w h ic h t h ey may t h em s elve s h av e e s ta

,

—
II
98 THE GOLD OF O PHI R

b li sh e d ,
fo r th e w o rd
u ndo ubted l y Semitic w h il e
is ,

s ev e r al w e re s tati o n s i n o r n e ar mi n i ng d i s trict s t h e
—

Cilicia n Tars u s fo r i n sta n c e near K itti m th at i s C y pru s

, , , , ,

n o t e d fo r i t s c o pp e r m i n e s 45 Th u s t h e y bro u g h t t h e
.

n am e wit h t h e m i n t o t h e In d ia n O c ea n w h ere t h e y ,

fo u nde d a no th e r Th ars h i s h as t h e o utl e t fo r th e g o l d o f

Havilah ( R h o de s ia) by fa r th e ric h e st auri fe ro u s reg i o n
,

k n o w n to t h e a n ci e n t s So al so t h e m o de rn B riti sh
.

s ettl e rs i n A u s tral A frica a n d A u s tralia h ave n o w t h e ir

N e w cas t le s i n Natal an d N e w S o uth Wa le s j u s t as t h e ,

Iberia n B as qu e s h ad t h e ir N e w t o w n s i n S pai n an d Gaul

’
.

B ut T ars h i s h i s n o t fo u n d i n t h e I n dia n O c e a n it ,

w ill b e o bj e cte d Th e n am e n o t but t h e t h i n g y e s

. , ,

a nd n a me s ar e b u t s mb o l s o f t h i n g s A nd i f n o t th e
y .

t h i n g th e n o ne may as k wh at Tars h i sh w as th at t o w h ic h
, ,

t h e fl e e t s o f S o l o m o n a n d H iram o u tward b o u n d fr o m ,

E z i o n g eb e r w e n t i n qu e s t o f t h e g o l d an d iv o ry w h ic h
-

t h e y c o u l d fin d n e ith e r i n t h e Me d iterra n e a n n o r i n t h e

A tla n tic n o r i n In di a n o r y e t i n A rabia n o r i n

, , ,

O p h ir it se l f n o w l o cat e d o n t h e n o n auri fe ro u s H im
,
-

y a r i t i cse ab o ar d W h e r e v e r t h e y fo u n d t h e g o l d a n d t h e

iv o ry t h e re al so w as t h e ir Tarsh i sh an d t h at w as i n t h e
, ,

a nci e n t R h o de s ia t h e H avila h w h e re th ere i s g o l d fo r

, ,
’

t h ere i s n o o t h e r A nd i f bo t h n am e s Havil ah a n d
. ,

Tars h i s h h ave d i s app e are d t h e y h av e but S h are d t h i s

, ,

fate with h u nd re d s O f o th e rs e ffac e d w a s h e d away pa s t, ,

r e c o ve ry by t h e e b b a nd fl o w O f s trea ms o f racial m o ve
me nt s c o n ti nu e d o v e r th o u sa nds o f y e ars A n d ag ai n .
,

i f t h e n am e s a r e g o n e t h e s t o ne s remai n an d S h ak e
, ,

s peare tell s U S t h ere ar e serm o n s i n sto ne s ’

Th e .

s e rm o n t h at t h e R h o de s ia n s to n e s pre ac h w i t h c o n vi n ci n
g
 100 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

in s uch a w ay as t o impl y th at t h e re w as certai n l y a

Havila h i n A rabia Th u s G e n xxv 1 8 : A n d t h ey
. . .
‘

dwelt fro m Havilah u n to S h ur t h at i s be fo r e E g y pt as , ,

t h o u g o e st to wards A ssy ria and el sew h e re B u t h ere

,
’
.

w as n o g o l d i ndee d m o s tl y n o th i n g but s a n ds a n d t h e
, ,

s acre d te x t s clearl y impl y t h at o u r Havila h t h e auri ,

fero u s Havilah w as n o t i n A rabia S i nc e it c o ul d n o t be

, ,

s ai d O f th i s re g i o n t h at th e g o l d O f t h at la n d i s g o o d

t h ere i s bdellium and t h e o ny x Th e se as we ,

h ave s ee n are pro ducts O f R h o de s ia alt h o u g h th ere

, ,

mi g h t be a do ubt abo ut t h e O ny x s to n e In t h e ‘
.
’

H e brew t h e wo rd i s sh o h a m a n d D r Pi n ch e s writ e s ,
.

me ( Au g u st 26th 190 1) th at i f s h o h a m b e t h e B aby

,
‘

l o n ian sdmu as i s very pro babl e I s h o ul d pre fe r c h al e e

, ,

”
do ny to N o w c h alce do ny me n ti o n ed al so ,

i n R evelati o n xx i 19 i s a cry pt o cry stall i ne variety O f

. ,

quartz a tru e quartz with so m e d i ss emi n ated o pal

,

quartz h e n ce i s appro priate l y a sso ciated with bdellium

, ,

th e k r us t a l lo s o f t h e Septuag i n t I t will t h ere fo re .

, ,

m o st pro babl y be fo u n d am o n g s t t h e va r i o u s alli e d cry s tal s

ab o u n d i ng i n so me part s O f R h o de s ia ( Mat a b i li lan d) .

O n t h e o th e r h a n d t h e remarkabl e a sso ciati o n O f

,

Havilah w ith O ph ir w h ic h w as i n A rabia h as bee n

, ,

abo ve e xpl a i n ed by t h e g o l de n li n k t h e cl o se co m
‘
,
’

me r ci al relati o ns alrea dy es tabli sh e d betwee n t h ese t w o

place s at t h e very daw n O f h i s to ry .

C o mi n g no w t o t h e abo ve s pecified twelve O ph i r s ,

t h e first (a ) with w h ic h mu s t be i n clu ded ( e ) i s m o s t

, ,

i ntere sti ng but al so perple x i n g Havila h h ad alre ady

, .

b e e n u n e x pe cte dl y i n tro duce d i nto G e n ii 1 1 as th e g o l d . .

,

la nd i n a superlative se n se Ho w c o me s it t o be h ere
. ,
 THE T WE L VE OPHI R S 10 1

o ne sh o ul d say al so u ne x pecte dl y a g ai n i n tro duce d ,

no w as a so n o f J o kta n a bro t h er O f O p h ir ? O f
,

c o urs e as already Sh o w n o n th e auth o rity O f Sa y ce

, ,

th e s e are no t r eall y racial but g e o g raph ical n ame s N o w .

—
w h en Ge n e s i s w as writte n n o bo dy i s an y l o ng er bo u n d
to believe t h at it w as writte n b y Mo s e s fo r eve n th e ,

s tricte s t o rt h o do x e x p o u n der s g ive t h i s up — t h e t r afli c

i n g o l d w as fl o uri sh i n g A veritable Pact o lu s w as ‘ ’
.

s treami n
g i n t o T y r e a n d Jeru s alem T h e .so urce O f t h i s

s tream w as i n Havila h w h ere t h ere i s g o l d ; an d th e

l
’
d f h d h d d
’
g o l o t at la n i s g o o d .N o tice t e w o r a n an d ‘

be ar i n m
,

i n d th at O ph ir w as abo ve sh o w n to be a
fam o u s metro po li s t o w h o se Mo sc ha h arbo ur ) t h e
’
,

g o l d a n d t h e o t h er c o s tl y ware s were c o n s i g n e d a n d t h ere ,

t e S h ipp e d fo r
-
Ty re an d Pal e sti n e I n t h e p o pular
.

imag i n ati o n Havilah a nd O ph ir were th u s i ntimately

c o n n ect e d b y t h i s g o l de n li n k and w h e n O ph ir a real
, ,

place a well k n o w n metro po li s the metro po li s w as

,
-
, ,
’

me nti o ne d it w as alm o st i n evitable th at Havilah sh o ul d

,

al so be me nti o n ed i n a sso ciati o n wit h it O ne w as th e .

so urce t h e g o l d l a n d it sel f t h e o t h er w as t h e receiver

, , ,

th e d i stribut o r an d t h e t w o w e re as o ne i n t h e mi nd o f
,

t h e peo ple o n th e t o n g ue O f every b o dy an d s o Havilah

, , ,

th e
‘
la nd w as i n u n critical time s tran s fo rmed wit h
,
’

O ph ir t o a c h il d O f J o kta n L atel y I h ave h e ard peo ple

. ,

m o re o r less i ntelli g e n t peo ple s peak i n th e sa me breat h

,

O f San F ra n ci s c o an d K l o ndike i n suc h a w ay as to

,

impl y t h at i n th eir mi nd t h e tw o were o n e o r all eve n ts ,

no t far apart Yet t h ey are abo ut as di sta nt fro m eac h

.

o t h er as w as O p h ir i n S o uth A rabia fro m Havilah

bey o n d th e Z ambes i .
102 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

Seve ral O f t h e o t h er O ph i r s c
( ) (g ) ( ) h so me , , ,

o f w h ic h are i n de e d mere repetiti o n s i n C h ro n icl e s O f

pas sag e s i n K i n g s n o w be c o me pe r fe ctl y cl e ar A l l

— .

t e ll t h e same s to ry O f t h e allian ce be t w e e n H iram a n d

S o l o m o n w h o se fl ee t s u n ite at E z i o n g e be r w h e n c e
,
-
,

t h ey cl e ar fo r O p h ir a n d h e r e s h ip t h e g o l d and iv o ry
,

a n d s pic e s a n d all t h e o t h e r ric h merc h a n d i se so m e O f ,

w h ich w a s bro u g h t t h ith e r fro m t h e auri fe ro u s la n d O f

Havilah so me like l y e no u g h fro m I n dia al so an d so m e
, , ,

e spec i all y t h e fra n ki n c e n se an d my rrh pro cu re d fro m t h e ,

n ei g h b o uri n g d i strict o n t h e s l o p e s an d at t h e fo o t o f

Sep h ar a m o u n t O f t h e e a s t — e a s t fro m t h e w e s t c o a s t
,

O f A rab i a w h e r e l ay E z i o n g e b e r -
W h e n ri g h tl y u n de r
.

s to o d, t h i s te n th c h apte r o f G e n e s i s i s w o n de rfull y
accurate as a g e o g rap h ical rec o rd a nd t h e rea so n i s ,

b e cau s e th e w h o le O f t h e A rabia n se abo ard w as at

t h i s time very well k no w n to t h e J ew s t h ro u g h th e ir
Ph oe n icia n allie s an d t h e h i g h l y civili s e d so ut h e r n
H im y arite s .

It h as bee n s h o w n t h at R h o d e s ia p o ss e s s e d all t h e
c o mm o d iti e s s uppli e d t o S o l o m o n e x c e pt p e rh ap s t h e
, , ,

‘
pe ac o c k s i f s uc h t h e y w e re a n d t h e s e may n o w be
,
’
,

S a fe l y pre se nt e d to t h o se p h il o l o g i s ts w h o still b e li e ve
t h at O ph ir w as In dia but h ave n o t h i n g to s ay ab o ut
,

H avilah w h ic h w a s R h o de s ia A ny h o w th e peac o c k s
, . ,

c o ul d v e ry well h ave c o me to O ph ir fro m Tapro ban e

( Cey l o n ) an d fr o m In d ia wit h w h ic h re g i o n s t h e
, ,

Sabaea n s al so traded I h ave call e d Th arsh i sh t h e

.

o utl e t O f Havila h w h ic h w o ul d i de n ti fy it wit h S o fala

,

o r B e ira o r a n o t h e r c n ve n ie n t tati o n o n t h e C o sta

, y o s

de Ca ffre s o f t h e earl y map s A n d i f it b e a s ked w h y

. ,
 104 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

wit h the waterway be tw e e n t h e Me diterra nea n an d t h e

R e d Se a and la s tl y ( i ) (j ) (h ) an d ( l ) w h ic h do no t
’

, , , ,

n e e d t o be d i s cu s se d . Th e y o ccur i n late r times and ,

b e l o n g t o th e cate g o ry o f th o se pass ag es w here th e

’
l f O p h ir like h iam f G lc d a fa d e
’

g o d o , t e d ‘
o n d s O o o n ,
s

i n to th e re g i o n O f th e fabul o u s no mi n i s u mbr a e t
—

r ae te r e a n i hi l T h i u e t a t h er e x pla n ati o n O f
p . s s gg s s n o

( )
t . P arvai m ma y ver y well h ave bee n s o m e a n cie n t

g o l d fi e ld — per h ap s i n n o rt h w e s
-
t A rabia o ,
r i n K ara
ma n ia eas t o f t h e Per s ia n Gul f w h ic h be came e x
,
—

h aus t e d o r el s e eclip se d by t h e fame O f Havila h

,
.

Th e e x press i o n g o l d O f Parvaim may t h e n h av e s till

li ng e red o n fo r a littl e w h ile til ] at la st s uperse de d by th e
,

l d f O p h ir
‘ ’

g o O .
 C H A PTE R X

T HE HI MY A R I T E S A N D T HE I R MO N U ME N TS
R HO D E SI AN PAR A L L E L I SMS

B UT maj or a a na mus
c We pa ss n o w fro m th eir
s urro u n d i n g s t o t h e H im y arite s t h e m s elve s . Th e te r m
H I MYA R w e h ave take n ( se e abo v e ) as a c o n ve n ie n t
c o llective n ame O f all t h e J O K TA N I D E S ( K A HTA N I D ES) ,

th at i s t h at g reat so uth e rn and settled s e cti o n O f

,

t h e A rab race w h ic h h a s bee n S h arpl y d i s ti n g ui sh e d

t h ro u g h o ut h i s to ric times fro m t h e n o rth er n no madic

s ecti o n, co mm o n l y and O fte n by t h em selve s call e d
ISHMA E L I TE S Glas er h as a very i n structive passa g e
.

o n t h e la n d o f t h e k i d d h la d f h
JO t a n e S an t e n O t e

Is h m a e lite s, wh ic h i s n o w ( S i n ce abo ut 300 B C ) all . .

call e d A rabia but w as no t SO i n earl y times

, . Th e
‘

i n s cripti o n s O f t h e A ssy ria n s a nd A c h aeme n id es

[ P e r s ia n s
,] as al s o t h e M i n a Sabaea
-
n i n s cripti o n s a,n d
n o le ss all t h e B iblical pa ss a e s w h ere A r a bi a an d t h e
g
A r a bs o ccur S h o w clearl y an d u n equiv o call y t h at by
,

t h e la nd o f t h e A rab s ( mat nj 1g 312) w as n o t t h e n

,

u n dersto od w h at we n o w call A rabia but th e no rt h ern

,
 THE G OL D OPHI R
'

106 OF

se cti o n O f t h e pe n i n sula abo ut w e s t an d ea s t O f J au f ,

a n d a part O f t h e wil de rn e s s s tre tc h i n n rt h f t h i li

g o O s n e .

N o t till muc h lat e r scarc e l y 300 y e ars be fo re t h e n e w

,

e r a w a s t h e n am e
,
A rabia e x t e n de d t o t h e w h o le la nd .

E ve n at t h i s time n o A rabia w as y e t k n o w n t o t h e
S o uth A rabia n i n scripti o n s ( ii .

H e n ce th e e xtre m e imp o rta n c e fo r U S O f d i sti ng ui sh

i n g be twee n t h e n o rt h e r n a n d so ut h e r n se cti o n s O f t h e
pe n i n sula an d th eir i n h abitan t s betw e e n t h e A rabia o f ,

t h e K a h t a n i de s an d t h e A rabia O f t h e Is h ma e lit e s B ut .

as b o t h ali k e a r e S E MI T E S i n s to ck an d s peec h t h e ,

d i ffe re n c e i s n o t e a s il y g ra s p e d by t h e o rd i n ary stu de n t

w h o i s n o t a s pe ciali s t i n p h il o l o g y a n d e t h n o l o g y It .

s e e m s t h e re fo re d e s irabl e h ere t o e x plai n w h o a r e t h e

S e mit e s t h e m se lves We n eed n o t g o back t o th at

.

rem o t e e p o ch wh e n t h e re were n eith er Semite s n o r

H amite s but all fo rm e d a n o t y e t d i s m e mbere d
,

Se mi t O Hamitic famil y w h o s e prim e val do mai n w as

-
,

m o s t pro babl y N o rt h A frica b e twee n t h e Medite rra n ean

,

a n d S ud a n l d a F r th e
( B e e e s S u d n-
,
o

pr e se n t purp o se it w il l su fli ce t o s tate t h at fro m t h e

'

re mo te st tim e s c e rtai n l y fro m t h e N e w Sto n e Ag e t h e

, ,

s o ut h w e s t
- —
c o r n e r O f A s ia th e A rabia n Pe n i n sul a ,

Ca n aa n S y ria an d t h e reg i o n s tretc h i n g th e n c e ea s t

, ,

w ards t o Me s o po tamia an d merg i n g n o rt h wards i n t h e

,

A rm e n ia n an d A n at o lia n U plan ds h as bee n t h e h o m e

—
,

I th i n k w e may say t h e cra dlela nd O f t h e s p e ciali se d

‘

S e miti c g ro up I do n o t k n o w o f any o t h e r race b y

.

w h ic h t h i s r e g i o n w as o ccupie d i n pre S e mitic tim e s -

,

an d it i s my belie f t h at it h ad n o t y e t bee n i n h abit e d

‘

b y man wh e n t h e a n c e s t o rs O f t h e Se m ites mi g rated

108 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

Jo xTA N I D E s, H
K A HTAN I D E S,
i Mv A R I T E s O R Y E MEN ,

1T E S —. O f So U t h A ra b ia do mi n a n t al so fro m pre ,

h i s to ric times i n A by ss i n ia i n clu de t h e Mi n aea n s , ,

Sabaea n s Ma h ra and S o k o tra peo pl e s ; t h e Ti g ré

, ,

A m h ara S h o a an d o t h er n ati o n s O f A b y s s i n ia
, ,
.

Speec h t h e m o s t arc h aic a n d g e nerall y bes t pre

,

s erv e d O f all t h e Semitic t o n g ue s ; i s t h e la n g ua g e

O f t h e ro ck i n s cripti o n s .

ISHMA E L I T E S — Th e A rabs c o mm o n l y so calle d o f

.
, ,

N o rt h A rabia speec h al so very O l d ra n ki n g i n th i s ,

re spect n e x t t o H im y aritic o f t h e ro ck i n scripti o ns ,

i s t h e dial e ct O f t h e K o re i s h trib e O f w h ic h Muh am ,

ma d w as a m e mber an d h as b e e n wi de ly s pread ,

w ith t h e di ffu s i o n O f Is l am fr o m Mo r o cc o t o ,

Malay s ia .

A SSHU R 1TE S Th e A ssy ria n s early i n B aby l o n ia l a

.
-
ter , ,

ran g e d U p t h e Ti g ri s n o rt h wards t o an d bey o nd

N i n eveh ; s peec h t h e Semitic O f t h e cu n ei fo rm
,

i ns cripti o n s y o u n g er t h a n H imy aritic an d K o ran ic

,

A rabic l o ng e x ti n ct .

A R A MA EA N S — O f S y ria part s o f Pale s ti n e B aby l o n ia

. , , ,

A rm e n ia N o rt h We s t Pe rs ia an d A s ia Mi no r ;
,
-
,

s pe e c h i n term e d iate betw e e n A s sy ria n an d Ca n aa n

,

itic t w o bra nc h e s S y ria n i n th e west quite e xti n ct , ,

a n d C h al dea n i n t h e ea s t s till curre n t am o ng s t a ,

fe w SO calle d N e st o r i an s ( Nazare n e s ) i n K urd i sta n

’
-
,

a n d ab o ut L ake U rmia .

—
C A N AA N I TE S Th e Is raelites ( Hebre w s J ew s ) o f Pale s
. ,

ti n e th e Mo abites A m o rite s Ph ili sti nes Samarita ns

, , , , ,

Ph oe n icia ns Cart h a g i n ia n s,
S peec h eve n i n i ts ,

Ol de s t k no w n fo rm s relativel y re cen t ; O fte n S h o ws

,
THE HI M YA R I TE S AND THE I R M ON UM E N TS 109

s triki ng a n al o g ies wit h Hi m y aritic due perh ap s to , , ,

l o ng stan di ng i n terc o urse bet w e e n t h e Je ws an d

-

Sabaeans ; every wh ere e x ti n ct b ut preserve d i n ,

H o ly Writ and o n so me Ph oe n ician m o n ume n ts ;

al so a fe w c o rrupt li ne s i n Plautu s .

S e mitic i s perh ap s t h e m o s t pers i ste n t O f all fo rm s

, ,

o f s pe e c h Th e A ssy ria n o f t h e cu n ei fo rm do cume n t s

.

d i ffe rs fo r i n s ta n c e eve n l e s s fro m t h e m o der n A rabic o f

, ,

E g y pt o r S y ria t h a n do e s E ng li s h fro m an y o f t h e
,

s i s ter Teut o n ic t o n ue s T h v wel c h a e f re l but

g e o s n g , e
y ,

th e c o n so n an t s scarcel y at all Th ey S h i ft ab o ut .

acc o rd i n g as t h ey are m o ve d by t h e vo wel s but n e ve r ,

alter th eir relative p o siti o n t o e ac h o th er Th e g reat .

fe ature o f t h e sy stem i s i t s s o called triliterali s m -

‘

th at i s t o say every ro o t c o n s i st s i n t h eo ry o f t h ree

,

c o n so n a n t s wh ic h u nde rg o e n dl e s s m o dificati o n s o f
,

fo rm wit h o ut e ver di s appeari n g o r dr o ppi ng o ut o f

,

t h e ir pro per place Q a ta l a h e s l e.w m a y b e c o,me g d ti l , ,

a s lay er g u tdl S lai n q i tl o r q u tl S lau g h ter an d s o o n

, , , , ,

but 9 t and 1 mu st alway s fo ll o w i n t h i s seque n c e t o

, ,

t h e e n d o f time .

Th a n k s t o t h i s a st o n i sh i ng p e rs i ste nce we ar e abl e ,

t o say t h at t h e pro t o Semite s w e re a pa s to ral pe o ple -

dw e lli n g i n te n t s an d n o t h u s ba nd me n livi ng i n h o u se s
,

an d to w n s Th us Say c e po i n t s o ut t h at th e A ssy r o
.

B aby l o n ia n dl u city o ri g i n ally mea n t a ten t ( H e brew

, ,

o hé l ) ; to g o h o me i s lit e rall y t o g o t o o n e s te n t wh ile

’

t h e A ssy ria n éh a l l u and Hebrew é h dl pal ac e i s a l o an

‘

, , ,

wo rd fro m t h e n o n Semitic A k kad ia n é g al g re at - -

,
‘

h o u se Th i s alm o s t i n ex plicabl e vitality o f th e Semitic

’
.

li ng ui s tic sy stem will receive furth er illu strati o n w h e n

1 10 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

we c o me to deal with t h e H im y aritic elem e nt s i n th e

Malag asy la ng uag e o f Madag a scar i n c o n ne cti o n w ith ,

t h e so ut h er n m o vem e n t s o f t h e Sabaea n s an d Ph oe n i

ci an s t o w ards R h o des ia .

I t w ill no w be easy t o u nders t an d w h at i s m e a n t b y

Semit e s and i n w h at re lati o n t h e vari o u s bra n c h e s o f
,
.

th e famil y s t o o d t o e ac h o t h e r We can al so u nder .

s ta n d h o w rea dil y allia n ce s w e re c o n tracte d be twe e n

th e J e w s a nd Ph oe n icia n s w h o b o t h bel o n g e d t o t h e
,

s ame s u b g r o up as w e ll as b e t w ee n t h e s e t w o a n d t h e
-
,

s o ut h e r n H im y arite s all bei n g o f t h e s ame s t o ck s a

,
y , ,

c o u s i n s o n ce rem o ved.
N o w re sumi n g o ur s tu dy o f t h e table s it w ill at
, ,

o nce be n o tice d t h at t h ere i s a s uperabu n da n ce O f

S e ba s an d S h eba s (t h e re i s a n o t h er at G e n x xv . .

w h ich wo ul d be puzzli n g w ere Ge nesi s x to be acc e pted .

as an e t h n o l o g ical d o cume n t At v 7 w e h av e bo th
. .

fo rm s w h ile S h eba r e curs at v 28 t h e fo rmer bei n g

, .
, ,

th e re fo re appare n tl y Hamit e s t h e latter Semite s B ut

, , .

t h i s n eed no l o ng er tro ubl e U S an d it will b e m o re ,

pro fitable t o rem e mb e r th at t h ere w ere al w ay s t w o

fo rm s writte n i n H e bre w w it h t w o quit e d i ffe r e n t
,

“
i n itial l e tters a nd mai n tai n e d t h ro u g h o ut l o ng pe ri o ds
,

o f time Th u s t h e t w o a s so ciate d t o g et h er at v 7 abo ve

. .

r e app e ar al so i n cl o se c o n necti o n i n PS l xxii 10 w h ere . .

,

al so s tra ng e to say Tars h i sh i s me n ti o ned w h il e at

, , ,

v 1 5we h ave actuall y t h e g o l d o f S h eba

.
‘
Th u s 10
’
.

Th e ki ng s o f Tars h i sh a n d o f t h e i s le s S h all bri ng

prese nts t h e ki n g s o f S h eba an d Seba sh all o ffe r g i fts .

A n d v 1 5 A n d h e s h all live and t o h i m S h all b e g ive n

. ,

o f t h e g o l d o f S h e ba Th e ps alm i s as s i g ne d perh ap s
. ,
 1 12 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

te ndi n g far t o t h e n o rt h Th i s sufli c Seba may

’ ‘
es
. .

n o w be r ele ated wit h ma n

g , y c o m m e n tat o r s t o E a s t ,

A fr ica o r t o Ce n tral A rabia wh ere it may h ave bee n

, ,

s wall o wed up i n t h e s a n ds o f t h e d e s ert w h ile S h e ba i s ,

i de n tified bey o nd all cavil with t h e S h eba o f S o l o m on ,

t h e Saba o f t h e ro ck i n s cripti o n s th e la n d o f t h e ,

K ah t an i de s and H im y arite s Th u s al so t h e g o l d o f
.
‘

S h e ba bec o mes t h e g o l d o f O p h ir t h at i s o f t h e
’ ‘
,
’

Sabaea n empo rium h ere l o cated at D h o far t h e fran ki n

, ,

ce nse land and imp o rter o f th i s g o l d fro m abro ad

, .

Sh eba i s th ere fo re fo r us th e la nd o f th e Sabaean s

Yemen A rabia F eli x th e Qu e e n o f t h e S o uth t h e
,
— ‘
,
’

rich es t o f all k n o wn la n ds as it i s de s cribed by t h e early

,

write rs It e xte nded fro m th e R e d Sea eas tw ards t o

.

D h o far “ wh ere B e nt came upo n th e Mah ri ( Mah ra )

,

peo ple w h o al o ne o f all m o dern Arab s still S peak a

,

Sabaea n dialect ( Eh kili ) Th e Queen o f S h eba w h o

.
‘
,
’

h as been u nn ec e s s aril y so u g h t fo r i n A by ss i n ia R h o de s i a , ,

In dia and el sewh ere cam e n o t fro m o ver th e s eas but

, , ,

fro m Yeme n b y t h e h i s to rical c a ravan ro ute as i s ,

o bvi o u s fro m th e w o rd i n g o f t h e te x t : Sh e came t o

Jeru s alem with a ve ry g re at trai n with cam e l s th at bar e ,

S pices and very muc h g o l d an d preci o u s sto n e s

,

( 1 K i n g s x Th e camel s w h ic h i n any ca s e c o ul d
. ,

s carc e l y h ave bee n tra n s p o rte d i n th e li g h t s eaw o rt h y ,

cra ft o f t h o se times were c h aracteri stic o f A rabia

, ,

u n k no w n eve n i n E g y pt apparentl y till th e Pto lemaic

peri o d N O re feren ce o ccurs t o t h i s an imal o n any o f
.

t h e Nile m o n ume n t s o r i n any e xta n t do cume nt s muc h

,

be fo re th e New E r a Th i s pri n cess B alki s as t h e

.
, ,

A rab s call h e r came fro m Saba o f Yeme n an d it may

, ,
THE HI M YA R I TE S AND THE IR M O N UM E N TS 1 13

be a dded t h at i n t h e A ssy ria n rec o rds re fere n ce i s mad e

t o o th er qu e e n s o f A rabia w h ere matriarc h al rite s are
’
,

k n o w n t o h ave prevaile d i n pre h i st o ric and later time s .

Me nti o n i s eve n ma de o f h e r capital t h e ren o w n ed C ity ,

o fM a r a i a ba B a h r a ma l a leu m( Marib O ft h e R o y al L ake

‘

w h ere s h e i s trad iti o nall y sa i d t o h ave c o n s tructe d t h e

mi g h ty barrier bet w e en tw o m o u n tai ns wh ic h capture d ,

t h e ru nn i ng waters an d tra n s fo rme d t h e U pla n d vall e y

,

i n to a vast i n la nd se a a ro y al l a ke c o mparable t o t h e
, ,
’

E g y ptia n ro y al Lake Mo eri s It w as th e bursti n g

.

( 1 6 0 .A D
. P ) o f t h i s barra g e t h e g r e ate s t, calamit y
rec o rded i n A rabia n h i st o ry t h at sh o o k t h e Saba e a n
,

empire t o i ts fo u n dati o n s and cau s ed a g e neral d i s l o cati o n

,

o f t h e tribe s t h ro u g h o ut t h e pe n i n s ula It prepare d t h e .

w ay fo r t h e A x umite c o n ques t o f Yeme n 5 23 3 0 A D ) -

. .

an d e x plai n s t h e feeble res i sta n ce O lTC I C d by t h e ‘

H im y arite s t o t h e se c o n d de lu g e o f fi e ry Mo s l e m
fa n atic s b y w h ic h t h e a n cie n t civili sati o n O f t h e K ah
,

t an i de s w as s u bm e rg e d Th i s sé c
. o n d de lu g e w as an
‘

e xpl o s i o n t h at h as bee n quai n tl y c o mpare d t o t h at o f

th e rare l y fl o w e ri ng al o e w h ic h v e g e tate s s il e n tl y fo r
,

man y g e n erati o ns and t h e n su dd en l y bur st s i n to a

,

l ri u bl m d a z zli n g t h e s i g h t w it h i t s brillia n t
g o o s o o ,

e fful e n ce 5 °’

g .

L ittle n o w remai n s to recall t h e a nci e nt Sabae a n

empire e xcept th e th o u sa n ds o f ro ck i n scripti o n s o f ,

temples palace s an d o th er rui n s scattered o ve r t h e

, ,

w h o le o f Yeme n as far ea st as D h o far A m o ng st th ese .

rui ns s p e cial me nti o n i s claimed by tw o i n t h e Mar ai ab a

—
d i s trict t h e buil d i ng tra d iti o n all y k no w n as t h e Palac e
o f B alki s ,
’
Qu e e n o f S h eba an d t h e g reat templ e t h e
, ,
1 14 THE GOL D OF OPHI R

plan o f w hi ch w as fo u n d by B e n t t o presen t cl o se
a n al o g ie s wit h t h a t o f Z i mb ab y e . W h at appeare d at
first s i g h t t o b e a true circle even tuall y pro ved elliptical
— a fo rm o f temple fo u n d at Marib t h e a n cie n t Saba 5 1
,

a n d capi ta l o f t h e Sabaea n ki n g do m i n A rabia an d at ,

t h e Ca stl e O f N ak ab a l Haj ar al s o i n t h at c o u ntry

’

’
R ui ne d C ities p , .

F ro m t h e o rie n tati o n o f t h e se st r ucture s i t i s e vi de n t

th at t h e y were pla nn ed with a V iew t o facilitate a stro
n o mic o b s er vati o n s In th i s al so t h e a n al o g y with
.

Z i mb aby e i s very s triki ng I t i s remar k abl e t h at o n l y

.

s tars o f t h e n o rt h e r n h e mi s ph ere s e e m t o h ave bee n

o b s er ve d at Z i mb ab y e fo r i n t h e g re at t e m pl e it se l f t h e
,

culmi n ati o n s o f s o uth e rn stars c o ul d quite as e a s il y h av e

bee n o bserve d a s t h o se o f n o rth e rn o n e s a n d i n th e ,

fo rtre s s all view o f t h e n o rt h erl y s ky i s alm o s t c om

p l e t e l y s h ut o ff b y t h e cli ffs a n d h u g e b o ul d er s w h ic h
fo rm i t s n o rth ern li n e o f de fe n ce ; y e t eve r y po i n t fro m
wh ic h n o rth ern stars c o ul d h av e b e en o b se rve d h as b e en
u sed fo r t h i s purpo se a n d t h ere i s n o t e mpl e t h e re fro m
,

w h ic h n o rt h e r n s tars w e re n o t o b serve d w h ile at t h e sam e

,

time t h e o pe n l y di s play e d so uth e r n s ky h as be e n le ft

u n re g arde d .
‘
Th i s o f c o ur se p o i n ts t o a n o rth e r n o ri g i n
fo r t h e p e o ple a nd s u g g e st s t h at be fo re th e y cam e t o
,

Z i mb aby e t h ey h ad acquire d t h e h abit o f o bservi n g

certai n s tars a h abit SO str o n g th at it le d th em to
—

d i s reg ard t h e use O f t h e so ut h e r n c o n stellati o n s t h o u g h

,

t h e y mu st h ave k n o w n th at th e y w o ul d e q ually well

h ave s erve d t o re g ulate t h eir cale n dar ; it eve n s eem s t o
i n dicate t h at th e y attac h e d i dea s O fv e n e r at i o n to certai n
s tar s an d r e n dere d th e m w o rsh ip
,
52 .
’
A pe r fectl y an a
1 16 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

an d i n th e truth o f i ts li n e s alm o st as wo n der ful as t h e

c o lu mn o fa Gre e k t e mple We c o ul d at firs t d i s c o ver no
.

re aso n fo r i ts bei n g built i n i ts peculiar po s iti o n It h a s .

n o t bee n plac e d wit h a n y re fe re n c e t o t h e p o i n t s o f t h e

c o mpass n o r t o t h e be ari ng o f t h e s u n at t h e equi n o xe s

, ,

a n d i t s p o s iti o n i s o n l y i n d ir e ctl y c o n n e ct e d w it h t h e

po s iti o n o f t h e s u n at th e so l stic e s B u t i t i s i n t h e
.

mi ddle O f th e s pace mark e d o ff by t h e t w o i n ne r do o r

w ay s a n d t h e m o re ea s t e rl y o f t h e s e t w o d o o r way s i s at
,

t h e po i n t w h e re t h e s u n w o ul d app e ar w h e n ri s i ng at

t h e s umm e r s o l s tic e w h e n r e g arde d fro m t h e c e n tral

altar a n d t h e o t h e r d o o rw ay i s at t h e po i n t w h ere t h e
de c o rati o n o n t h e o ute r wa l l t e rmi n ate s a n d t h at i s t h e
,

p art o f t h e wall w h e re t h e s u n s ray s w o ul d b e ta n g e n t i a l

’

t o i t s curv e w h e n ri s i n g at t h e s a me s o l stic e Th e
t o w e rs wh e n built w e re do ubtle ss made c o mplet e i n
t h e ir math e m a tical fo rm a n d were carri e d u p t o a p o i n t
, ,

as we s e e i n a c o i n o f B y bl o s w h e re w e h a v e a s i milar
,

t o w e r re pre s en te d wit h curve d o utli n es .

’

Th e rui n e d templ e s at Ma rib an d i n o t h e r part s o f th e

H im y aritic la n ds h av e no t y e t b e e n t h o ro u g h l y e x pl o red .

B ut w h e n t h i s w o rk i s do n e an d e s peciall y w h e n t h e y
,

a r e s tu d i e d i n c o n necti o n wit h t h e n o w w e ll k n o w n -

R h o de s ia n m o n ume n t s s u fli c
,
i e n t d ata h ave a l rea dy be e n
c o ll e ct e d to ma k e it alm o s t ab so l ute l y c e rtai n t h at all
a li k e w e r e b uilt b y S e m itic s tar a n d ph allu s w o r sh ippers .

Near a n altar i n o ne o f t h e s maller R h o de s ia n s h ri ne s

w ere pick e d up se veral p h alli an d t h e Sab ae o Ph oe n icia n
,
-

t o w e rs are I b e li e ve u n ive rsally a d mitted t o h ave bee n

, ,

d ire ctl y a sso ciated with p h allu s w o rsh ip -

.

Th e s am e c o n clu s i o n w h ic h i s b e c o mi n g m o re and
,
THE HI M YA R I TE S A IVD THE I R M ON UM E N TS 1 17

m o re i n evitable wit h e v e ry fre sh turn o f t h e s pade i s ,

p o i n ted at by ma ny o t h e r R h o de s ia n fi nds Th u s th e
.

s o ap s t o n e bird s o n p e de s tal s full,y illu s trat e d b y B e n t ,

a r e em bo d im e n t s o f a sy mbo li s m w h ic h n ee d n o t h ere be
,

de scribe d i n detail but w as u ndo ubt e d ly c o mm o n t o t h e

,

ancien t A ssy ria n Ph oe n icia n an d o th er S e mitic peo ple s

, ,
.

‘
In th e di fli c‘
u lt qu e s ti o n o f e arl y A rabia n cult w h ic h
,

w as cl o sel y b o u n d up wit h t h at o f E g y pt A ssy r i a an d

, ,

Ph oe n icia w e fin d t h e vulture as t h e to te m o f a S o u th e r n
,

A r a bi a n tribe at t h e ti me O f t h e H im y aritic S upremac y ,

an d it w as w o r sh ipp e d t h e re as t h e d Na s r an d i s
g o ,

m y s teri o u s ly allu de d to i n H im y aritic i n scripti o n s as

‘
t h e vulture o f t h e e a st an d t h e vulture o f t h e w e s t W 1
,
,

wh ic h al s o w o ul d seem to po i n t to a so l stitial use o f th e

emblem Th i s impo rta n t facto r i n t h e pro blem w ill be
.

ag ai n re ferred t o wh e n we return i n t h e la st c h apte r

t o a n ci e n t R h o de s ia .
1 18 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R XI

T HE HI MYA R I T I C R OCK I N SC R I PT I O N S EA R L Y
SA B A E A N AN D M 1N A E A N CU L TU R E — EC HO E S OF

R HO D E SI A N C O N TA C T S .

MEAN WHI L E we h ave t o c o n s i der t h e actual rela

,

ti o n s o f th e earl y H im y aritic H ebrew an d Ph oe n icia n

se a farer s i n t h e I n d ia n O cea n . A g la n ce at t h e map
will S h o w t h at Mo sch a t h e po rt o f O ph ir an d ch ie f
,

e mp o rium o f t h e Sabaea n s a n d t h e ir Mi n aea n fo re

,

ru n n er s o ccupi e d a so m e wh at c e n tral po s iti o n o n t h e

,

so ut h c o a s t o f A rabia n e arl y faci n g t h e i s la n d o f

,

S o co tra a n d w e ll cl e ar o f t h e da n g e ro u s Cape Guarda fui

,
.

I t c o ul d n o t h av e be e n m o re c o n v e n i e n tl y S ituat e d fo r
ral tra d i purp i t h I d ia O cea d s it
'

g e n e n g o se s n e n n n a
,
n a

w as s h o w n t o b e a H im y aritic p o rt i t fo ll o w s th at t h i s
,

t r a fl i cw as fro m t h e e arlie s t time s i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e

‘

A rabs a n d n o t O f t h e Ph oe n icia n s as i s o ft e n a ssum e d

, ,
.

A t t h e o p e n i n g o f t h i s e n quiry I po i n t e d o ut th at t h e
H im y arite s w e re i n fact t h e first i n t h e fi e l d an d were ,

o n ly j o i n e d b
y t h eir P h oe n icia n k i n s fo lk so m e w h at later ,

t h at i s a ft e r S o l o m o n h ad e xt e n de d h i s sway o ve r
,
 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

with t h e serva n t s o f H iram as i n th e E n g li sh te xt It

,
.

appe ars th e re fo re t h at t h e ki ng re all y h ad a fl e e t o f

, ,

h i s o w n an d we sh all s e e fart h er o n t h at at l e a s t so me
,

o f t h e crew w e re Jew s .

Mea n w h ile t w o c o n clu s i o n s o f g re at i mp o rtan ce i n

,

t hi s e n quiry fl o w i n evitabl y fro m t h e se te xt s Th e .

firs t i s th at th e tra ffi c i n t h e c o stl y merc h an di se w as

fl o uri sh i ng l o ng be fo re th e a dve nt o f t h e Ph oe n ician s i n
t h e s o ut h er n o c e a n becau se as ab o ve p o i n t e d o u t
, , ,

S o l o m o n s fath e r D avi d h ad alrea dy accumulate d a vast

’
, ,

quan tity o f th e g o l d o fO p h ir ( quite s t e rli n g )

fo r t h e b u il d i n g o f t h e Te mpl e w h ile t h e auri fero u s

,

Havilah it sel f i s th rice m e n ti o n ed i n Ge n es i s ( c h ap s ii . .

an d i n t h e t h ir d i n s ta n ce i n cl o s e c o nn e cti o n wit h O p h ir .

Th e s ec o nd c o n clu s i o n i s t h at t h i s fl o uri sh i n g tra ffic w as

at fir st th at i s be fo re th e time O f S o l o m o n an d be fo re
,

t h e arrival o f t h e Ph oe n icia ns i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e S o uth

,

A rabia n s th e H im y arite s o f Yeme n an d Hadh r a mo ut

, , ,

c o n sequ e n tl y th at t h e firs t arrival s i n Havila h ( R h o des ia)

were n o t Ph oe n icia ns but t h e H im y aritic M i n aea n s an d
,

Sabaea n s .

Th e n atural Obj ecti o n o r eve n pr o t e s t ag ai n s t th i s

i n fe re n c e will o f c o urse be t h at i n th o se rem o te pre
, ,

Ph oe n icia n time s t h e Yem e n ites c o ul d s carc e l y h ave b e e n

civili sed e n o u g h t o p o sse ss seaw o rth y sh ip s capable o f
n avi g ati n g t h e s t o rm s wept I n dia n wat e r s
-
.B ut t h e
o bj ecti o n will b e rai s e d by t h o se al o n e w h o ar e uh

acquai nted with t h e true relati o ns i n S o uth A rabia ,

relati o n s w h ic h h ave o n l y n o w bee n partially rev e aled

by t h e decip h e rme n t o f t h e alr e a dy m e n ti o n ed H im
a r i t i cro ck i n s cripti o n s T h e e i cripti mu t w
y . s n s o n s s n o
 THE HI M YA R I TI C R O CK I N S CRI P TI ON S 12 1

e n g a g e o u r e ar ne s t atte nti o n t h e m o re so si n ce it w ill be

,

s ee n t h at t h e H im aritic la n ua e i n w h ic h t h e
y g g , y a r e

c o mpo s ed h as reach e d Madag a scar cl o s e to R h o des ia

, , ,

wh ile t h e s cript i n wh ic h th ey are writte n h as reach ed

R h o d esia itsel f .

Th e do cume nts i n que s ti o n w h ic h s i n ce t h eir

'

r ec o ve r
y h ave pr o ve d a m o n u me n t m o re la s ti n g t h a n

bro n z e fo r t h e H im y aritic n ati o n ra ng e o ver a v e ry wi de

’
,

area and alth o u g h h u n dre ds h ave already bee n co pied

,

a n d partl
y i n terprete d pr o babl, y ma n y th o u s a n d s r e mai n

s till t o be d i sc overe d Th e script itsel f o ften d e s cribed

. ,

as a m o d ifie d fo rm o f Ph oe n icia n reveal s o n t h e c o n tra r y

,

a writi n g sy stem m o re primitive t h a n t h e Ol dest e xta n t

Ph oe n icia n Mo abite o r H ebr e w C h aracters ; so o l d t h at
, ,

Pro fe sso r Say ce a sk s wh et h er t h e Ph oe n ician S h o ul d n o t

b e de rive d fro m t h e H im y aritic rath er t h a n fro m t h e
E g y ptia n h i e ro g l y p h s o r fro m D r A J . E va ns rec e n tl y
’
, . .

d i s c o ver e d Creta n sy llabary as h as al so bee n s u g g e sted

, ,

I n fact Say ce Sh o w s th at t h e fo rm s o f t h e H im y aritic

,

letters a ffo rd a better expla n ati o n o f t h e n ames o fma ny

’

i n t h e Ph oe n icia n alp h abe t th a n do th e h iero g l y p h s th em

s elve s . Th u s a leph ( th e Gr e e k a lph a ) mea n i ng an o x , ,

pre s e n t s i n H im y aritic t h e o utli ne o f an o x s h ead but ’

,
.

bears n o re sembla n ce to any o f t h e E g y ptia n sy mbo l s

u sed fo r a He nce Say ce declares h i s prese nt beli e f t o
.

be th at t h e Ph oe nicia n alp h abet m o t h er o f all o ur ,

E u r o pea n sy stem s ,came fro m A rabia S h o ul d th i s

’
.

view be c o n firmed S o ut h A rabia n Semitic o ri g i ns wi ll

,

h ave t o be se t back to a vas tl y rem o te peri o d i n o rder t o

al l o w time fo r th e s l o w evo luti o n O f th e H im y aritic
script fro m t h e p o stulated pict o rial pro t o ty pe s t o t h e
1 22 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

alrea dy h i g h l y c o nve n tio n ali sed fo rm s o f t h e o l dest

k no w n r o ck i ns cripti o ns .
5“ ’

Suc h a h o a r a n tiquity i s partl y reveale d by t h e se

i nscripti o n s th e mselves w h ic h fall i n to tw o d i sti nct
,

r up s — n earl y Mi nae an wit h fuller an d m o re arc h ai c

g o a

Semitic fo rm s a n d a later Sabaea n th o u g h even th is

, ,

la n g uag e i s mo re primitive t h a n t h at o f th e o l de st
As sy rian and H ebre w rec o rds W h e n w e remember
.

th at t h e Ph oe n icia n s l o o ked t o t h e Per sia n Gul f as th eir

crad le th at t h ey mu s t h ave bee n settled i n th e B ah rei n
,

A rc h ipela g o fo r l o ng ag e s be fo re t h e ir mi g rati o n t o t h e
Med iterra nea n an d th at O a nn e s fro m w h o m t h e Meso
, ,

p o t a m i a n s receive d t h e g erm s o f t h e ir culture h a d al,s o

tra d iti o n all y c o me up fro m t h e se a furth e r re searc h may

,

y e t S h o w t h at S o ut h A rabia w as t h e so urce w h e n ce t h e

B aby l o n ia n s derived t h eir firs t k n o wl e dg e o f th e art s and

letters E ve n th e cauti o u s S . L a ng su g g e st s t h at th e
.
‘

p e culiar la ng uag e an d c h aracter o f th e race m u st h ave

bee n first devel o pe d i n t h e g ro wi ng civili sati o n wh ic h
precede d th e a n cie nt Mi n aea n empire pro bably as t h e ,

later Sto n e A g e w as pa ss i n g i n to th at o f Metal 57 .

’

We h ave s ee n th at t h e late r Sabae a n e mpire g o es bac k

w it h certai n ty t o t h e time o f S o l o m o n w h o w as vi s ited,

b y Quee n B alki s i n Jeru s al e m an d Sab ae a i s S h o w n by

A ssy ria n do cume n t s to h ave s till bee n a p o wer ful s tate
i n t h e e i g h t h ce n tury B C w h e n it w as c o n termi n o u s
. .
,

n o rth wards wit h t h e N i n e v i t e empire u n d er Ti g le t h

Pi le se r an d Sarg o n I I I B ut Saba ( S h e ba ) w as prece de d

.

b y th e far m o re a n cie n t empire o f M d i n t h at i s o f t h e

’

, ,

Mi n aea ns w h o s e very n ame h ad alm o st died o ut ti l l

,

r e s cue d fro m o blivi o n b y t h e latel d i s c o v e re d Yeme n ite

y
1 24 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

bur n ers wh ere fo ur di sti n ct ki n ds o f perfum e s ar e

,

S pecified a nd h ere i de n tified ( p

, . Here alto g e th er
fi fty do cume n ts ar e e x ami n ed an d i n o n e o f th em
,

( N o . 9) re fe re n ce i s ma d e t o t h e A h b a s h a n pe o ple , w h o

are n o t to be c o n fu se d w ith t h e Aby ssi nian s but see m

.
,

alm o s t certai n l y t o be t h e A bas e n i w h o ar e s tate d t o

,

h ave dwelt i n an o ut e r ( fo rei g n ) auri fero u s la nd . Here

we g e t a s tep n earer to t h e ve ry n am e o f th e firs t
( H im y aritic ) s ettler s i n auri f er o u s R h o d e s ia . T h i s n am e

may y e t b e revealed o n s o m e o f t h e i n s cribe d st o n es o f

t h e F ura d i s trict so uth o f t h e Zambe s i w h ic h D r Pe ters ,
.

h as s ee n an d i s no w i n se arc h o f .

Gla se r h as re c o ve re d o ve r a th o u sa n d O f th e se pric e
les s rec o rd s w h ic h ma k e i t quit e cl e ar th at i n ve ry
,

rem o te tim e s c o eval wit h i f n o t earlier th a n B aby l o n ia

, ,

a n d E g y pt t h em s elve s S o ut h A rabia t h e A rabia o f t h e

, ,

c h il dre n o f J o kta n w as a lan d o f culture an d literature

, ,

a s eat o f p o werful ki ng do m s an d wealth y co mmerce ,

w h ic h ca nn o t fail to h ave e xerci s e d an i n fluen ce upo n

t h e g e n eral h i s t o ry o f t h e w o rl d. 3°
’
E very t h i ng p o i n ts
t o Yeme n as t h e S h e ba Of Scripture w h ic h i n t h e time ,

o f S o l o m o n h ad e x t e n s iv e c o mm e rcial relati o n s wit h Ty re ,

a n d m o s t pro babl
y wit h I n d ia a n d t h e E a s t A f rica n se a

bo ard fro m A by ss i n ia to S o fala bey o nd th e Z ambes i

, .

( H e r e I am g ivi n g Sa y ce ’
s i n fere n c e s fr o m t h e ro c k
i n s cripti o ns ) Th at t h e g o l d bro u g h t by th e Ty ria n s an d
.

th e Quee n o f Sh eba cam e fr o m S o fala (my Tar sh i sh )

a n d t h at it w as t h e o utput O f t h e n ei h bo uri n g mi n e s
g
w o rked by t h e Sem itic pe o ple o f Sab ae a h as be e n all ,

but pro ve d by B e n t L ike t h e E g y pt o f Me n es t h e

.
,

Sabaea n empire w as fo rm e d b y t h e fu s i o n o f several pe tty

 THE HI M YA RI TI C R O CK I N SCRI P TI ON S 12 5
th eo c r atic s tates with th at o f th e so called Mak arib o r -
,
’

h i g h pries t o f Saba w h o g ave h i s n ame t o t h e lan d as

, ,

Ass ur di d t o t h at o f t h e ki n d re d Assy ria n Semite s o f

N i n eveh .

F ro m so me o f t h e abo ve re fere nce s it i s evi de n t t h at

th eir s way w as n o t Co n fi n ed to t h e mai n la nd an d t h e s e ,

pro m H im y arites like th eir mo der n repre se n tative s

-
, ,

t h e Mu h ammada n Mo o rs were g reat n avi g at o rs k n o wn

’
, ,

i n every p o rt an d h ave n i n t h e s o ut h er n waters Th e .

Ho n A Wilm o t j us tl y remark s th at A S t h e Ph oe n icia n s

. .

we re th e carriers o f th e n o rth ern wo rl d so were t h e ,

A rab s t h e mari e purvey o r o f t h e so ut h ern o cean

n s “1 .
’

Th ere i s g o o d reaso n t o be lieve th at th ey tau g h t i f n o t ,

letters certai n l y n avi g ati o n t o t h e B aby l o n ian s an d D r

, , , .

Pi n c h es (l o c ci t ) tell s me t h at i n t h e cu n ei fo rm li s t s o f ‘
. .

parts o f a S h ip o ccurs t h e term hi nn u wh ich i s th e ,

A rabic hh i n n t h e h o l d He al s o g ive s me t h e fo rm s g a r n u
’
, .

h o rn a n d g a r n a t i h o rn s p o ss ibl y mea n i n g ma s t
’ ‘ ’
‘ ‘
, , ,

’
a nd mas ts i f n o t pro w but i n any cas e fro m t h e
,
’
,

A rabic q a r n h o rn In t h e s ame place h e favo urs me

, .

with a ve ritable H o meric catal o g ue o f Sh ip s wh ic h

h as bee n publi sh e d i n t h e Cu n e i fo rm In scripti o n s o f
‘

Wes te r n A s ia vo l ii pl 46 bo t h i n t h eir A kkadia n

,
’
. ., .
,

a n d A ss y ria n fo rm s O fg reat i n tere s t are S everal o ft h es e

.
,

s uc h as ma i r i tu m = a Ma i r i t e s h ip w h ere M a i r mea n s ,

t h e s h ip city o r as w e S h o ul d s ay t h e n aval s tat o n

’

, ,
i ,

u r i tu m = a sh ip o f U r w h ere U r i s g e n erall y re ard ed a s

, g
t h e U r o f t h e C h al dee s di l mu n i tu m = a S h ip o f D i l mu n ,

w h ere D i l mun h as bee n i den tified bey o nd re a so n able

do ubt wi th t h e B ah rei n Is la n ds ; las tl y ma hh a n i t u m ,
:

a sh ip o f Mag an ( A kad M ag a n na ) t h at i s t h e Si n aitic .

, ,
 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

re g i o n Here t h ere fo re w e h ave b o th B aby l o n ian an d

. , ,

A rabia n S h ip s me n ti o n e d i n t h e s ame e arl y do cu me n t ,

a nd w h at i s s till m o re remarkabl e t h e C un ei fo rm tablet s

, ,

re c o rd th e fact t h at th e merc h a nt s o f U r vi s it e d t h e
d i sta n t A rabi a n la n ds h e re re ferre d t o an d th at t h ey ,

e n c o u n t e re d S eri o u s rival r y fro m t h e sail o rs o f D I L M U N

an d M A G A N w h o s e maritime tribes were t h e n as n o w

, , ,

accu s to m e d t o s co ur t h e s eas 32 S o m e A ssy ri o l o g i s ts

’
.

reg ard th e se a n ci e n t cra ft as m e re co a s ters c o n fi n ed

t o t h e Pe r s ia n Gul f . B ut o t h e rs ( B o s caw e n B ri n dl e y , ,

O ppe r t ) S h o w th at th e y were st o ut e n o u g h t o n avi g ate

all th e A rabian waters an d bri ng bac k g re at bl o ck s o f
,

di o rite fro m Si n ai . D r Pi n c h e s al s o qu o te s me a
.

l e tte r seemi ng ly addre sse d to A sh ur b a nI apli i n w h ic h - -

,

t h e writer i n fo rm s t h e ki n g t h at A sh s h ur mu ki n h as
‘
-

ai de d me I cau sed to ri de i n th e sh ip s t h e st o ne o f
.

t h e bull ( an d) t h e C o l o ss u s Th e sh ip s we r e n o t ( t o o )
.

d eep t h ey d i d n o t g ro u n d &c ( l o c c
’
—
, it ) . . .

Navi g ati o n b o t h i n A rabia an d B aby l o n ia i s t h u s s e t

back t o Akka d ia n tim e s a n d w e n o w k n o w t h at bo th
,

t h e A k ka d ia n a n d A rabia n ( Mi n aea n ) re c o rds d at e fro m

s ev e ral t h o u s a n d y ear s be fo re t h e n e w era B u t no .

mate rial s h ave h it h erto be e n availabl e o r at least utili sed , ,

t o de te rmi n e t h e s o ut h war d ra n g e o f th e H im y arit e

s e a fare rs i n t h e In d ia n O cean Th e se I c
. an n o w S uppl y ,

a n d h o pe b y t h e ir mea n s t o S h o w t h at t h e tra ders o f

O p h ir p e n e trate d so ut h wards t o Ma dag a scar an d th e n c e ,

acro ss t h e n arro w Mo zambique C h a nn e l to Rh o de s ia .

 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

reat river p o i n t t o Ma d a g a s car N i ta ce

’

g s o w t h.e d s n s

wh ere t he e arl y writ e rs speak as th e y do h ere at , ,

s ec o nd h a n d l iterall y c o u n t fo r n o t h i ng
, T h ey h a d n o .

n o ti o n O f t h e actual s ize o f th e g l o be and eve n ,

C o lumbu s wh e n h e fi rs t struck la nd t h o u g h t h e h ad
, ,

rea ch ed th e E a st I ndie s a n erro r wh ic h i s p e rpetuated

,

b y t h e e x pre ss i o n We s t In d ie s and by th e term

‘ ’
,

1
In d ia n s applied by h i m t o t h e abo ri g i n e s o f t h e N e w
W o rld . Gla ser co n ti n u e s : SO muc h i s e s tabli sh ed
‘

th at at th at time H im y ar p o sse ss e d [ po litically ] n earl y

t h e w h o le O f E as t A fri c a an d i n t h o se g u n l e ss and
,

po wderle ss day s suc h an e xte n s i o n o f s way implied

l o n g ce nturies o f e fl o r ts
‘
’
Th e s i g n ifica n ce O f t h i s
.

s tateme n t , de riv e d fro m t h e r o ck i n s cripti o n s will ,

appear late r o n .

A t t h i s part o f t h e n arrative t h e Periplu s makes t h e

u ne x pect e d remark th at th e o cea n alth o u g h u n e xpl o re d
, ,

w as k no w n to tre nd ro u n d t o t h e we st be y o n d Me n ut h i as ,

a n d ev e n tuall y mi n g le wit h t h e wat e r s o n t h e o t h e r S i de

o f A frica . Th i s do es n o t fit i n wit h Za n z ibar at all ,

but do e s with Madag as car an d s h o w s c o n clu s ive l y t h at

,

t h e t e rmi n al p o i n t o f t h e c o n ti n e n t w as at t h at tim e

k n o w n at l e a s t by re po rt Th e k no wledg e mi g h t h ave
.

bee n h a n de d do w n traditi o n a ll y fro m t h e d ay s o f

Nech o s e xpe diti o n B ut s i x o r seve n ce n turies are a
’
.

l o ng peri o d fo r s uc h a traditi o n t o survive an d it se em s ,

muc h m o re pro bable t h at t h e i n fo rmati o n w as o btai ne d

dire ctl y fro m t h e H im y arite s w h o h ad fo r a g e s ruled
,

o ver t h e eas ter n seab o ard .

A part fro m t h i s c o n s i de rati o n t h e detaile d acc o u n t

,

o f Me n ut h i as e x clu de s Za n z ibar a n d Pemba alt o g e t h e r

 THE HI M YA RI TE S 1N M A D A GA S CA R 1 29

and co mpel s u s to acce pt Mr J T L a st s i de n ti ficati o n

. . .
’

wit h t h e g r e at i s la n d away t o t h e so ut h S h o rtl y afte r

t h e c o mme n ceme n t o f t h e C h ri s tia n era tw o n avi g at o rs ,

Th e o p h ilu s an d D i o g e n e s pa ss ed Cape Guard a fui an d

, ,

re ach e d t h e p o rt o f R h apt a by s o m e th o u g h t t o be t h e
,

S ame as t h e pre se nt Za n zibar ; but m o re pro babl y a

p o i n t n e ar Mo zambique i n abo ut 1 5 S S o o n a fter °
.

wards t h e pil o t D i o sco r us do ubl e d Cape Guarda fui and , ,

ro c e e di n g s till furt h e r s o ut h arriv e d at Cape Pr a s u m

p ,

i n ab o ut 2 2 S n e ar t h e m o ut h s o f t h e Zambe s i F ro m
°
. .
,

t h e de s cripti o n g iv e n b y A r r i an t h e re i s muc h r e a s o n t o
,

t h i n k t h at w h e n h e s pe ak s o f t h e i s l and o f Me n u th i as ,

h e i s re ferri ng t o Ma d ag as car Hi s remark s w o ul d

.

s carc e l y appl y t o a ny o t h er i s la n d O ff th e E a s t A frica n

c o a s t ; h i s d es cripti o n o f t h e [ g re at ] rive rs cro c o dil e s , ,

lan d to rto i se s ca n o e s s e a turtle s a n d w ick e rw o rk weirs

-
, ,
-

fo r catc h i n g fis h appl y e x actl y t o Mad ag a s car o f t h e

,

prese n t day but t o n o n e o f t h e o th e r i s la n ds 63 .

’

B u t it may b e arg u e d t h at i f Ma da g a s car w a s s o we ll

a n d so l o n g k n o w n t o t h e H im y arit e s t h e Gre e k s a n d ,

t h e R o ma n s mu s t h ave al so bee n w e ll acquai n t e d wit h it .

TO t h i s t h ere i s a c o mplete a n s wer w h ic h i s v e ry w e ll ,

put by Wilm o t (op ci t p 90) . . .If t h e re b e a n y fe atur e

m o re striki n g o r remar k abl e t h a n a n o th e r i n A r abian
h i s t o ry i t i s t h e e x tre m e se cr e ti ve ne s s o f t h e n ati o n
, .

Te n c e n turi e s a ft e r t h e v e ss e l s o f t h e Ty ria n s an d
S y ria n s h ad pl o u g h e d t h e so ut h e r n se a s w e ar e t o l d O f ,

t h e w o n der ful d i s c o v e ry o f m o n s o o n s i n t h e In d ia n

O c e a n b y H ippal us O f c o urse t h e y w ere k n o w n t o

.

t h e A rabia n s d uri n g all t h at peri o d a nd n aturall y t h e y ,

u se d t h e k n o w l e dg e a nd be n e fi te d b y it Th e n wh at
, .

K
1 6 3 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

e x trem e re tice n c e mu s t t h ey h ave pre serve d as t o t h e

S ituati o ns and c h aracter o f t h e places with w h ic h t h ey
trade d . We h ave see n alre ady t h at acc o rd i ng t o ,

Strabo t h e mas ter o f a Ph o en icia n bar k pre ferre d t o

,

l o se h i s v e ssel o n t h e ro c k s o f t h e Cas s i t e r i de s rath e r

th a n p e rmit a R o man sh ip w h ic h fo ll o we d t o g ai n a
k no wl e dg e o f a s a fe Ch a n n el to a valuable po rt Th e .

s ecret o f g o l d w a s k e pt quite as care full y as a n y o t h er ,

Th u s it h app e n ed
’
a n d fo r e v e n m o re p o wer ful re a so n s .

th at apart fro m a curi o u s an d erro ne o u s o r at leas t

, ,

mi s u n de rs to o d allu s i o n b y Marc o Po l o
,
64 no th i ng w as,

k n o w n o f th i s stra n g e frag m e n t o f a va n i sh e d I n do
A frica n c o n ti n e n t till t h e a dve n t o f t h e Po rtu g u e s e i n
t h e ea s te r n se a s Th e re a r e clear i n d icati o n s t h at t h e
.

‘
L a n d u nde r t h e s ky as t h e n ativ e s call it h as be e n
- - -
,
’

o ccupie d b y man fro m e x trem e l y rem o t e tim e s p o s s ibl y ,

i n t h e O l d St o n e but c e rtai n l y i n t h e N e w St o n e A g e
, , .

Wh e th e r t h e fir st arrival s w e re B a ntu s and o t h e r

Africa n s fro m th e n ei g h bo uri ng c o n ti n e n t o r O c e a n ic ,

Mo n g o l s fro m d i stan t Malay s ia ca nn o t n o w b e d e t e r

,

mi ne d but th at bo th rac e s h av e be e n pre se n t t h ro u g h o ut

,

h i s to ric tim e s an d a r e e ve r y w h e re ble n de d i n d iver se

,

pro p o rti o n s i s n o l o ng e r s e ri o u s ly qu e s ti o n ed Th e
,
.

re mar k able fact wh ic h h e re m o r e n e arl y c o n cern s us i s

th at de s pite t h e vari o u s racial ty pes t h e re i s but o n e
, ,

li n g ui s tic t y p e t h e Malag a sy la ng uag e bei n g e ve ry wh e r e

,

e xclu s ivel y s p o k e n w ith c o mparativel y S lig h t d ialectic

d ive r g e n ci e s .I t h as n o ki n d o f afli n i ty wit h B a n tu ,

H o tte n to t o r an y o t h e r A frica n t o n g ue but i s a

, ,

rec o g n i sed membe r O f t h e w i de s pread O cea n ic family

c o mm o n l y k n o w n as Malay o Po l y n e s ia n It mi g h t b e
-
.
132 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

sh o w s no ki nd o f like ne ss with t h e A frica n wh ile i t s ,

ag reeme n t wit h t h e O c e a n ic famil y i s c o mplete Th ere .

are scarcel y any A frica n term s to b e fo u nd a ny wh ere ,

an d eve n t h e s e are merel y l o a n w o rds m o s tl y i n tro duce d -

b y th e A rab o Swah ili trader s! - “5 Suc h ar e h a ng a Mal ,

.

m M m
’
aha n a
g g ui n ea fo wl ng o be -
a l o by cattle , .

n ta ng o Ma l vo a n ta ng o
, .
g o ur d -
m b w a M a l a m boa , .

do g ; ma na naz i Mal ma na nas a ,

pi n e appl e ; ( t h e
.
-

E uro pea n a na nas o ri g i n all y an A merica n ( Guia n a )

,

w o rd) O f A frican ( B an tu o r o th er) s tructure such as

. ,

t h e allit e rati n g pro no mi n al prefi xe s t h ere i s ab s o lutel y ,

n o trace so I c ,an g i ve n o Mala g a s y a n al o g i e s .

T h e le x ical a ffi n itie s with Malay o Po l y n e sia n ar e -

c o u n tl e ss and h ere it i s t o be no tic e d th at many o f

,

t h e Mala g a sy term s are l o s t i n Malay but recur el se ,

w h ere i n th e In do Paci ficarch ipelag o e s t h e e xplan ati o n

-
,

bei n g t h at t h es e term s b e l o n g e d t o t h e c o mm o n o ri g i nal

O cean ic s to ck an d w ere carried wit h t h e primeval
,

mi g rati o ns ea st t o t h e Me la ne s ian and Po l y n esia n

i s lan ds an d w es t t o Madag as car Suc h ar e
,
.

E ng l i sh Ma lay Oc e an ic

sh i p pr au l ak ato i ( Mo t u , N . G ui n e a )
bo dy b ada n t i nana ( Mao r i , New Z e al and )
( Ar ab)
h ai r ra mbut v ul u ( Fij i )
h e ad kapal a ul u ( Samo an )
( San sk r i t ) lo va ( Vatur ana So l o mo n I slands )
,

mo th e r ma r e me ( To r r e s I sl ands )

mo uth i n ul ut v ava ( E s i r i t u San to

p N e w He b r i de s )
,

r ai n h uj a n r an i ( S. Cr i st o v al So l o mo n I slands )
,

so ft l umb ut mal umu ( Sav o So lo mo n I slands )

,

to ng ue l i dah al e l e ( R o t u ma Mi d Pac
, i fic) -

t o o th i i n i fo ( Samo an )
g g
no se b i do ng ur o ng ( D ayak )

tr e e k ayu h asi e ( S. Cr i sto va l )

 THE HI M YA RI TE S 1N M A D A GA S CA R 133
E ng l is h Malay Malag asy Oc e an ic
w o man pe r a mpuan ve h i vav
y v av i n e ( O ba , N e w He b r i de s )
fah n e ( mo an)
S a

c
h upi ng ta r i ng a ( Easte r I s land )
( be )
l o

H e re are a fe w term s wh ic h bes i d es th eir immen s e ,

ra n g e fro m Madag ascar t o Ta h iti and even E a ste r

—
,

Is la nd wit h i n mea surable d i s ta n c e o f S o uth A merica

,

are o th erwi se speciall y i n t e re s ti ng

I n th e H o va dialect s u n i s mas o mah a may bur n -

i ng e y e
-
but el sewh ere i n Ma dag a scar it i s ma so
’

i n Malay ( ma ta a r i ) B aj au
’ ’
a nd r o d ay s e y e as ,
-
,

o f Cel e b e s ( ma ta l o n ) Salay e r ( ma to a llo ) &c

- -
, .

Th e Malag asy mul u tr a lip s i s t h e Malay mul u t

‘

, , ,

m o uth a curi o u s i n sta nc e o f a part fo r t h e w h o le

, .

Th e J ava n e s e a ti mea n s bo t h h eart and liver ‘ ’ ‘ ’ °

but t h e Malag a ty liver o n l y ; y e t a ro y al pri n ce i s

.
‘ ’

a ti n a n dr i a n a liver l o rd T h i s i s e x plai n e d by t h e
’
- - -
, .

B i say a n ( Ph ilippi ne s ) atay

’
liver and c o urag e ‘
.
’

Th u s da ho a ng a tay n i a h e h as a g reat liv e r

’
Cf -
.

E ng li sh svh i te l i ve r ea Th i s wo rd reac h e s all th e w ay

'
-
.

to E a s ter Is la n d w h ere a te
’
live r
'

, .

Th e Malag v i ty le g e x plai n s th e K ay a n ( B o rn eo ) ‘ ’
.
, ,

’
t o s ta nd up .

T h e Malag r a n u ma so
’
tears
. e y e wat e r lik e
-
,
-
,
’

t h e Java n e se r a n u mo to Malay ay e r ma ta an d Sam o a n

-
,
-
,

l o i ma ta .
-

Malag vo a vi ty cal f ( o f t h e le g )
Th e . frui t o f t h e
-
,

le g a s i n Malay buah be t i s J ava n w o h w e n ti s &c

’
- -
. .
, ,

Th e Mala g vo vu mas u e y e l i d i s lit e y e ro o f as

’ ’
- - -
. , .
, ,

i n Tagal o g ; but th e Malay i s h el upah ma ta e y e li d

‘ ’
- -
, ,

as i n E n g l i sh .
1 34 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

Th e Malag . e xplai ne d by th e K avi

v u r o na , bird ,
is
n e s e ) bzi r o fly c
h h
’

( O l d J ava t ; w h‘
ile e n r ev a n e t e

J ava n i h a n ch uch u t ch uck ut fish ( sh ark ) i s cxplai n e d by

.
-
,
-

t h e Mala g s u ta s u ta .
-

g lutt o n A g ai n M ala g v
. a
’
l dl a , . ,

‘
l o cu s t i s e xplai n e d by Maca s sar ( Cel e bes ) ba ld/a
,
’
,

wh ic h al so mea n s g lutt o n Th u s t h e re i s a c o nti n ual

‘ ’
.

g ive a n d take b e t w e e n t h e se O c e a n ic t o n g ue s w h ic h ,

e ve ry w h ere suppl e me n t e ac h o t h er o ft e n i n t h e m o s t ,

u n e xpecte d w ay Th e Malag l e lafu flame i s a co n

. . ,
‘
,
’

tracti o n O f le la afu to ng ue o f fir e lik e t h e Malay

-
‘
,
’

l i da h api -
B ut t h e Java n e se say u r u b fro m Mal ag
.
,
.

ur u = t o burn
‘
L as tl y i n Malay sia t h e fish i ng ne t i s
’
. -

t h e Sa n s k rit j a l a but t h e o ld wo rd w as sa r a tu o r h a r a tu ,

a n d t h i s al o n e o ccur s i n Mala i n w h ic h t h re n
g e a
. r e
,
o

Sa ns krit e l e me n t s Th i s a g ai n S h o w s t h at Madag ascar

.

w as pe o ple d fro m t h e E a st e r n A rc h ipela g o i n pre H i n du -

time s as it w as bro u g h t i n to relati o n with t h e H im

,

y ar i t e s i n pr e M u h amma
-
d a n time s .

C o mi n g no w to t h e n um e ral s w e fin d t h at th e ,

primitive O c e a n ic n am e s o f t h e u n it s U p t o t e n i n clu de d
s u r vive i n a g reat n umbe r o f Mal ay O Po l y n e s ia n t o n g ue s -
,

s cattere d o ver t h e t w o o c e a n s B ut fo ur o f t h em ( 3. ,

7 , 8 , 9) are l o s t i n M ala y a n d n o t o n e, i n M ala g yas .

Th u s

Fo ur Fi ve

p t
a l i ma
a at
p li my
ampat l i ma

Ei g h t Ni ne Te n

w al u si o pul u

val u si vy ful u
dalapo n sal apa n pul uh
136 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

as i n t h e Mo n g o l o Turki famil y o r pre fixe d o r s uffixe d

-
,

a s i n A ry a n , B a n tu an d ma ny A merica n g ro up s but
, ,

embe dded i n th e very b o dy o f t h e w o rd Th ey ar e .

w o nder fully u n i fo rm be i n g m o s tl y i n o n o m al so mn l
, , , , ,

an d r , a n d ra n g e s p o ra d icall y as I h av e e l se w h ere
,

S h o wn fro m Indo C h i n a an d t h e Ph ilippi n e s t h ro u g h

,
6 7 -
, ,

the Malay la n ds t o Mada g a s car Th u s i n K h m ar . ,

( C a m b o j )
a n ch e r e ap t o k n o w ; c h u m r e ap t o mak e

k n o w n t o teac h h u r
, t o d raw h o mn u r a d raw i ng ,

a de s i g n sa ule t o c o rrupt ; s a mn a uh a bribe i n

Tag al o g ( N o rt h Ph ilip pi n e s ) tapay t o k n e a d ti n apay ,

bre ad ; i n Malay pu h u l t o s tri k e pdmu h u l a h am m e r ; ,

s ipi t t o g ra s p ; s i n ipi t an a n c h o r ; i n Malag asy

( h e r e v e ry n um e r o u s ta dy
) t w i s t e d a r o p e to m a dy ,

s tr o n g ; s afo t r a o ve r fl o w n ; so mafo tr a brim ful

s afy s py i n g s o maf y s i h t o f a d i ta n t Obj e ct
, g : s ;
s a ny li k e n e ss so mo ny
, l ik e s i s i ha fo rc e d in ,

s o mi s i h a S h atte red .

Th i s pe rh ap s will Sati s fy my s ceptical cri t ic w h o , ,

i f s till do ubt ful mi g h t h e re b e a s k e d t o pr o d u c e a

,

t h o u sa n dt h part o f t h e e vi de n c e i n s up po rt o f h i s th e o ry
t h at I h ave n o w a dva n c e d i n s up po rt o f mi n e B u t h e .

ca n n o t do s o ; n o bo dy ca n fo r it i s n o n e x i sten t an d ,
-

ex n i h i l o n i h i i 7 ? t .

I t w as ab o ve p o i n t e d o u t t h at i n Malag a sy t h er e
a r e n o Sa n s k rit e l e m e n t s t h e pr e se n c e o f w h ic h w o ul d
,

arg u e a c o mparative l y re c e n t ( po st H i nd u ) arrival o f t h e -

O c e a n ic p e o pl e s fro m Malay s ia B ut t h e re a r e n um e r .

o u s S e mitic e l e m e n t s a n d t h o se o f a n atur e t o arg ue

,

v e ry a n ci e n t an d l o n g c o n ti n u e d c o n tact s w it h S e mitic
-

p e o pl e s fro m A rabia Th e se S e mitic e l e m e n t s a r e

.

u s ual ly S p o k e n o f as A rabi c an d ar e attribute d t o t h e ,

 THE HI M YA RI TE S IN M A D A GA S CA R 1 37

Mo s l e m A rab s o r t o t h e Mo s lem Swah ili pe o pl e w h o

, ,

h ave se ttlem e n t s o n t h e n o rt h w e s t c o a st dati ng back a -

fe w h u n d re d y e ar s S o m e ar e u n do ubt e d l y du e t o th i s
.

so urce b ut o t h ers
, a n d t h o s e t h e m o r e n umero u s an d
,

imp o rta n t date back no t a fe w h u nd re d but a fe w

, ,

t h o u s a n d y ears a n d are due n o t t o t h e Mo s l e m A rabs

, ,

o f later tim e s but to t h e H im y aritic A rabs o f th e

,

Saba e a n an d Mi n ae a n e p o ch s Suc h te rm s as mi g h t . ,

b e e x pect e d are o f a m o re o r l e s s c u ltural n ature an d

, ,

a r e c o n cer n e d w it h so o t h s a y i n d ivi n ati o n a n d certai n

g ,

e a r l y S e mi t i c r it e s as well as wit h t h e d ivi s i o n s o f tim e

—t h e s eve n d a s o f t h e w ee k t h e twe lve m o n t h s o f t h e

y ,

y ear — w h ic h t h e H im y arit e s h a d i n c o mm o n wit h t h e

B aby l o n ia n s but o f w h ic h t h e e arl y O cea n ic p e o pl e s h ad

,

n o k n o wl e d g e H e re w e r e ac h a turn i n g p o i n t i n t h e
.

d i s c uss i o n an d t h e pro o fs w h ic h I n o w s ubmit t h at t h e

,

Malag asy n am e s o f t h e se d ivi s i o n s o f tim e are n o t

de rive d fro m t h e m o d e rn A rabic o f t h e K o ra n but fro m ,

t h e a n ci e n t A rabic o f t h e r o ck i n s cripti o n s will al so ,

pro v e t h at t h e se s o ut h e rn latitu de s at t h e ve ry g ate s o f

Rh o d e s ia w e re firs t r e ac h e d n e ith er by t h e Ph oe n icia n s
,

n o r b y t h e Mu h a mma d a n A rab s but b y t h e ir Saba e a n ,

a n d Mi n a e a n precurs o rs In Mala g asy H im y aritic t h e

. , ,

A rabic o f t h e K o ra n a n d Malay t h e w e e k d ay s ar e a s ,

u n de r
E ng l i s h Mal ag as y Hi my ar i t i c N CO Ar a b i c
-
Ma lay
Sunda y A lah ady Al ab adu
-
E l ah ad
-
Ah ad
Mo nday A l a tsi n ai ny Al i tsn ani
-
El -
e th an Si nne n
Tue sday Tal ata Tsalat sa t u Sal ata
’
R l t l at e
-

We dne sday A l ar o bi a Al -
ar baata E l ar ba
-
’
e Ro b u
Th ur sday Al ak ami sy Al -
k h ami su El -
k h ami s Kumi s
Fr i day Z o ma Juma
’
tu El -

J mau
’
J umat
Satur day As sab tu Es sab t Saptu
‘

Asabo tsy - -
1 38 THE G OLD OF OPHI R

Th u s early all t h e Malag a sy w o rds are se e n t o

n

re pr e se n t th e O ld H im y aritic w h il e t h e Mala y bo rro w e d

, ,

i n r e ce n t ( Mu h ammad a n ) tim e s are de rive d fro m t h e ,

N e o A rabic o f t h e K o ran Th e i n fere n ce i s i n e vitabl e

-
. ,

an d it mu s t b e cl e ar t o e very bo dy t h at h ad t h e Mala

g y a s pe o pl e tak e n t h e ir w o r d f o r Su n d a y t o qu o t e o n e ,

i n s tan c e fro m t h e N e O A rabic it mu st h av e prese n te d

,
-
,

s o m e sh o rt e n e d fo rm li k e t h e Malay a h a d a n d c o ul d n o t , ,

s h o rt o f a miracl e h av e h arke d back t o t h e pro t o A rabic

,
-

( Him y aritic ) a l ah a du L i n g
. ui s tic a r e n o t li k e a n imal a n d
ve g e table s peci e s w h ic h e vo luti o n i s t s tell U S ar e liable t o
,

re v e rs i o n Th e p e o pl e t h e re fo re w h o bro ug h t th e se t e rm s
.

i n t o t h e i s la n d we re n o t re c e n t A rab s but a n ci e n t A rabs ,

o f H im y aritic s pe e c h a n d w e h av e ab o ve S h o w n t h at
,

H im y aritic i s t h e m o st arc h aic O fall th e S e mitic t o n g u e s .

I lay s tr e ss o n t h e p o i nt b e cau se it i s so d i fli c ul t to
'

i n duc e s tu den ts w e dde d t o O ld i deas t o acce pt n e w vi e ws ,

e s p e ciall y w h e n t h e s e ar e o f a s u bv e rs iv e n ature Th e y .

wre s tl e wit h t h e facts an d wh e n o v e rt h ro w n pre fer s till

,

s ta r e pe r v i a s a n ti q u a s rat h e r t h a n i l d t o t h e se l f
y e

e vi de n t an d I t h i n k t h i s i s a s tr o n g trait i n o u r c o n se rva
,

tive E n g li s h t e m pe ram e n t .

B ut i f n o t y e t c o n vi n c e d t h e y may p e r h ap s b e,

c o n v e rt e d by t h e n am e s o f th e m o n t h s w h ic h ar e n o t ,

th o s e o f th e A rabic so lar o r lu n ar m o n th s but th o se o f ,

t h e twelve s i g n s o f t h e Z o d iac o f Sabaea n o r B aby l o n ia n

,

o ri g i n a n d t h e se ar e U s e d i n ma n y part s o f Ma da a s car
, g ,

no t o n l y as t h e n ame s o f t h e m o n t h but al so a s n am e s ,

fo r t h e s everal d ay s i n eac h m o n th t h at i s u s i n g fo ur o f , ,

t h o se n am e s fo r th ree s ucce ssive day s e ac h a n d t h e re s t ,

fo r t w o alway s i n t h e same o rder i n w h ic h t h e na m e s

,
146 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

ph o n e tic sy s tem s , an d rmal i nterc h an g e o f l

fo r t h e no

an d d t a n d ts & c t h e c o rre s p o n de n ce s are c o mpl e t e

, , ., .

I n any cas e it i s Obvi o u s th at th e s e B aby l o n ia n n am e s

O f th e Z o diacal c o ns tellati o n s c o ul d n o t h ave be e n
i n tro d uced i nto Madag a scar as t h e n ames o f th e m o n t h s
by t h e later p o s t K o ra n ic A rab s w h o w o ul d h ave
-
,

bro u g h t t h eir o w n pro per cale n d ri c n o me n clature th i s ,

bei n g require d fo r determi n i n g an d reg ulati n g t h e fe a st s

an d t h e fa st s o f t h e Mu h amma dan reli g i o n H e nce .

Mr L a st re ferri ng t o t h e n o n i n tro ducti o n o f t h i s

. ,
-

reli g i o n by th e A rab s t h o u g h t h ey i n structe d th e

,

Malag asy peo ple i n th eir pag an sy s te m O f astro l o g y an d

d ivi n ati o n (v e n ta n a an d s i h i dy ) ri g h tl y o bs erv e s th at
,

th i s s eem s t o impl y t h at th e firs t immi g ratio n o f A rab s

[ H im y arit es
] t o o k plac e b e fo re A rabia a n d t h e

surro u n d i n g c o u n trie s h ad acc e pt e d t h at reli i o n l oc

g ( .

c it p
. . tha t i s as h ere c o n te nded i n pre Muh am
, ,
-

mada n times .

B u t ar e th e se H im y aritic term s reall y t h e curr e n t

n ame s o f t h e m o n th s t h ro u g h o ut t h e i s la n d o r are t h e y , ,

as h as bee n latel y s u g g e s te d m e re l y t h e e so teric n ame s

,

j e al o u sl y pre served fo r d ivi n i n g purp o ses by th e i n itiate d ,

pe rh ap s i n th e so uth e as te rn d i s trict ? Th i s d i s trict i s

-

k no w n t o h ave bee n vi s ite d an d eve n pa r tly se ttle d b y

s o m e A rab immi g ra n t s at an early date Th e A r ab s ‘
.

w h o came t h ere h ad bro u g h t t h eir all with t h e m a n d ,

th e y h ad c o m e to sto p T h e y pro b abl y cam e i n co n

.

s i de r ab l e n umber s fo r n e arl y all t h e s o ut h ea s t tribe s

,
-

claim t h eir de sce n t fro m th e m ; an d th at th e y g ai n e d

an a s c e nde n c y o ver t h e n ativ e s eith e r by fo rc e o r ,

s up e ri o r s kill t h ere c
,
a n be n o d o ubt fo r i n t h e c o urs e o f ,
 THE HI M YA R I TE S IN M A D A GA S CA R 14 1

time t h eir perma nen t res i de n c e i s lan d af ecte d th e

i n th e f

w h o l e so c i a l sy s te m of th e M a l ag a sy I n t h i s part o f
.

Mad ag as car we se e muc h th a t w o ul d lea d pe o pl e t o

”

th i n k th at a relati o n sh ip e x i s ted betwee n th e A rabic

an d Malag a sy la n g uag e s Th i s mi g h t at first S i g h t s ee m
.

t o be i nd icate d by t h e c o n s i d erable n umber o f w o rds

wh ic h h ave bee n i n tro duc e d b y t h e A rabs w h o came

a n d s e t tl e d i n t h i s part o f Ma d ag a s car al so b y th e fact
th at many of the n a ti ves fr o m ag es pas t do w n to th e
,

p r ese n t t i m e h ave
, bee n abl e t o write a n d rea d a ki n d o f
A rabic an d al so t o de cip h er a n u mbe r of o ld A r a bi c
,

ma nus c r ipts t h ey h ave i n t h e ir po s se s s i o n an d w h ic h t h e, y

g uar d wit h t h e m o s t j eal o u s care
( L a s t p , .

O f c o urs e t h e relati o n s h e re sp o ke n o f as p o s s ibl y

e x i s ti n g betwee n Malag a sy an d Arabic are purel y
le x ical i n n o w ay a ffecti n g t h e structure o f th e fo rmer
,

o r w e a k e n i n g i t s claim t o m e mb e rs h ip with t h e O cea n ic

famil y o f w h ic h it remai n s a ty pical bra n c h

, Th e ca se .

i s so mew h at a n al o g o u s t o t h at o f E ng li sh an d L ati n ,

with th i s di fferen ce th at fo r o n e Semitic wo rd i n

,

Mala g asy t h ere are a th o u s a n d L ati n ( an d F re n c h )

,

w o rds i n E ng li sh with o ut de privi ng it o f i ts ri g h t t o be

,

re g arde d as a member o f t h e Te ut o n ic g r o up .

N o w t h i s ki n d o fA ra bic i s it H im y aritic o r K o ran ic ?

, ,
’

A n d ab o ve all t h e ma n u s cript s w h ic h are so o ften

, , ,

h eard o f but h ave n ev e r y e t b e e n se e n b y any E uro pean

, ,

i f th e y e x i s t at all i n w h at s cript an d la ng uag e are th ey

,

writte n ? If i n H im y aritic abo ut wh ic h I am m o re ,

th a n s c e ptical t h e n th eir re c o very w o ul d be wo rt h a

,

trip to Mad ag a scar se ve ral times o ver. A s pecimen o f

Sabae a n pe n man sh ip w o ul d i n dee d be a rare fin d wi t h
142 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

w h ic h to o pe n t h e tw e n ti e th ce n tury a find eclip s i n g

,

m o st o f th e palaeo g raph ic d i s c o veri e s o f t h e las t t w o

ce n turies .

B ut fo r o ur pres e n t purp o se w e h ave s till t o a s k ,

do t h e se do cume n t s c o n tai n t h e a stro l o g ical l o re

abo ve de s cribed and i s t h i s l o re co n fi ne d t o t h e se
,

do cum e n t s so jeal o u s l y g uar de d b y th eir o w n e rs ?

To th i s I c an u nh e s itati n g l y repl y t h at t h e l o re
i s i n depe n de n t o f t h e do cume n t s a n d t h e ir i n te r
r t r i s di f
f u se d o v e r t h e w h o le Mala g a s d mai
p e o s, y o n ,

h as be c o me a n ati o n al i n h erita n ce s i n ce i ts i n t r o d uc
ti o n by t h e H im y aritic s tar g a z e rs th o u sa n ds [o f y e ars
-

T h e e vi de n c e fo r t h i s i s s upplie d e s p e ciall b
a o
g .
y y
th e —
E n g li sh an d N o r w e g ia n mi ss i o n arie s C o u s i n s ,

Sibre e D ah le R ic h ardso n Pearse a nd o t h e rs— w h o

’

, , , ,

h av e vi s ite d an d a sso c iat e d w it h all t h e c h i e f tribe s o r

n ati o n s a n d t h u s c o ll e ct e d at fir s t h a n d a reat ma
, g s s

o f mat e rial s s h o wi n g
, th at t h e cale ndric sy s te m s, r e
l i g i o us practic e s S up e rs titi o n s s o cial u sag e s an d tra
, ,

di t i o n s h ave every wh e re be e n i n flue n c e d by S e mitic

pe o pl e s as s ee n n o t o n l y by a n al o g ies an d p a ra ll e li s m s
, ,

but al s o m o re directl y b y t h e n um e ro u s S e mitic ve rbal

e l e m e n t s perm e ati n g t h e m . T h e Mala g a sy s o ci a l li fe
i s s aturate d b y Semitici s m j u s t as t h e n e i g h b o uri n g
,

R h o de s ia n upla n ds ar e h o n e y c o mbed b y S e mitic g o l d

wo rki ng s a n d s trew n w ith t h e re mai n s o f Sem itic
m o n um e n t s .

Th e ab o ve qu o t e d ta b le o f H im y aritic m o n th n a m e s
- -

d o es n o t o ccur u n i fo rml y e ve r y w h ere bei n g pre val e n t

,

c h i e fly am o ng s t th e do mi n a n t H o va pe o ple o fI m e ri n a
t h e n o rt h ce n tral tablela n d 6 9
. B ut S e mitic fo rmativ e
144 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

fresh li g h t o n th e Ob scure relati o n s o f t h e earl y pe o pl e s

i n t h e ea stern w o rl d .

D ah l e t h i n k s t h e wo rd vi n ta na it se l f ( se e abo ve )
may be S e mitic . V i n t an a i s t h e de sti ny es pecially
‘
,

as dep e n di n g on time To be bo r n u n der a bad

.

v i n t an a i s t o be b o r n o n a n u nl u c ky day N o w th e .

A rabic ev a n plur e v i n a t mea n s ti me e sp e ciall y time

,
.
, ,

viewed as fit o r u n fit fo r w h at i s t o take place i n it o r ,

s e a so n abl e . Th i s c o me s ve ry n e ar t o t h e Malag a sy
v i n ta n a . A lt h o u g h it w as a m i s erabl e fate t o be bo r n
on an u n lucky day it c o ul d t o a certai n e xte n t be
,

rem e d ie d o r c o u n ter c h arme d by t h e Si ki dy Si ki dy

-
.

h as g e n erall y b e e n tra n s lat e d d ivi n ati o n but i t s

mean i ng i s a wi der o ne i n clu d i n g al so t h e w h o l e prae
,

t i ce o f p o i n ti ng o ut po w e rful c o u n ter c h arm s ag ai n s t -

alm o s t every ki n d o f evil but es pe ci all y th o se o r i g i n at

,

i n g fro m a b ad v i n t an a o r fro m witc h cra ft th e t w o ,

s upp o s ed s o urce s o f n earl y al l mi s fo rtu n es i n Mada

g a s e ar
. O u t o f t h e t h r e e d i f
f e re n t tabl e s o f n ame s

t h at are n ecessary i n t h e practice o f it [ Si k i dy ] t h e first

o ne ,
c o n tai n i n g S i xte e n n am e s appe ars to b e e n ti r e ly
,

A r a bi c w h il st i n t h e t w o o th ers A rabic n ame s ar e

,

mi xe d U p with Malag asy o n e s (lo c ci t p ’

. In a . .

w o r d a larg e m e a s ure o f t h e a n cie n t Sa bae o B ab y l o n ia n -

astro l o g ical c o n c e pti o n s e spe ciall y th o se asso ciat e d with

,

divi n ati o n are fo u n d t o b e still s urvivi n g am o n g s t all

,

s ecti o n s o f t h e Mala g a sy p e o ple .

A lt h o u g h th ey cam e o f a fam o u s s e a fari n g race ,

t h ey appear a fter th eir arrival to h ave fo rg o tte n t h e art

o f n avi g ati o n . B y fo ll o wi n g t h e mari n e curre n t s etti ng
fro m n o rt h e a s t t o so uth we s t it w as n o t di fli c
- -
, ult t o
 THE HI M YA R I TE S IN M A D A GA S CA R 14 5
pass fro m i s la nd to i sla n d an d th u s reac h t h e e ast
,

c o as t O f Madag ascar B ut t h e re tur n v o y ag e w as

.

s carcel y practicabl e a nd a fter t h e firs t s ettlem e n t s all

,

c o mmu n icati o n with th e Malay s ia n h o mela nd s eem s

t o h ave be e n di s c o n ti nued A fe w Malay co rs airs o r
.

traders may h av e o cca s i o n all y arrive d i n lat e r times

but n o t i n su ffi cie n t n umbers t o e xerci s e muc h i n flue n ce
o ve r t h e n ativ e s a s S h o w n b y t h e n o n Mala y c h aract e r
,
-

o f t h eir O c e a n ic s peec h Th e I n d ia n O cea n h ad mea n

.

tim e be c o me a H imy aritic lake an d t h e se S o ut h ,

’

A rabian po pulati o ns d i d n o t n ee d t o be tau g h t h o w

t o n avi g ate t h es e so ut h er n waters b y t h e Malay o
Po l y n es ia n s ea farers We h ave s een th at th ey w e re
.

rat h e r t h e t e ac h ers eve n O f t h e B aby l o n ian s t h e m se lve s ,

a s t h e y m o s t pr o babl y w e re al so o f t h e Mala g a sy Th i s .

may a cc o u n t fo r t h e ab se n c e o f t h e Malay w o rd fo r
b o at (pr a u ) wh ic h i s re plac e d b y t h e A rab sa mbu k
,

( s a m b o t h r o ug h t h e S w a h ili ch a m bo ) a n d it m a
,y b e -

re membere d t h at it w as t h e A rab s ambuk an d n o t th e

Malag a sy s ambo o r t h e Malay prau th at t h e Po rtu g u e s e
i e r f u n d pl i n al n g t h e ea s t A frica n se abo ard
p o n e s o y g o

o r s c o uri n g th e h i g h s ea s Th u s B arb o s a tell s U S s p e ak

.
,

i n g o f S o fala t h at i n h i s time ( ab o ut 1 5 1 2) it w as a ‘
,

t o w n o f t h e Mo o rs [ A rab s ] w h o e s tabli sh ed t h e m se lv e s
,

t h e re a l o n g tim e ag o o n acc o u n t o f t h e g re at tra de

i n g o l d w h ic h th ey carry o n with t h e g e ntil e s o f t h e
,

mai n la n d A n d t h e m o de o f t h e ir trade i s t h at th e y
.

co m e b y se a i n s mall bark s w h ic h t h ey call Z a n buc s ,

fro m t h e ki n g do m s o f Qui lo a a n d Mo mbaza an d

Me l i n di &C Th e se plac e s fo ll o w al o ng t h e ea s t c o as t
’
.
,

n o rt h war d s i n t h e d ire cti o n o f S o malila n d w h e re t h e ,

146 THE GOLD OF OPHI R

s ame traveller fo u nd th e squa dro n s o f h i s Po rtu g u e s e

fell o w c o u n try me n l y i ng i n wait ab o ut Cape G uar da fun
-

e [ A rab ] s a mb u ks pl y i ng be t w e e n th e
[ Guar d a fui ] fo r t h
R e d Sea a nd I nd ia t o tak e th em wit h all t h e ir ric h e s
’

, .

Th ere i s n o w h ere m e n ti o n o f any Malay cra ft

freque n ti ng t h e In dian O c e a n w e s t o f t h e E a s te r n
A rc h ip e lag o an d all t h e h i s to ric evi de n ce g o e s t o Sh o w
,

th at till t h e arrival o f t h e Po rtu g ue se t h ese wat e rs h ad

bee n e xclu s ivel y n avi g at e d b y th e B aby l o n ia n s an d
Semites [ H im y arites an d fo r a sh o rt p e ri o d th eir
,

Ph oe n icia n an d Je w i s h allies ] s i n ce preh i s t o ric times .

I ca n n o t t h ere fo re fo ll o w t h e re a so n i ng o f Mr S y m e .
,

w h o i n R h o de sia ( l o cc i t ) arg ue s t h at th i s pr o e mi n e n t l y
. .

maritim e race [t h e Malay o Po l y n es ia ns] h ad e x te n ded

-

its el ffro m i s le to i sle m o re th a n h al fro un d th e wo rl d fro m -

Madag ascar th ro u g h t h e Malay A rc h ipelag o acro ss t h e ,

Paci fic n earl y t o S o ut h A m e rica I t i s pro babl y d ue t o

.

t h em th a t n avi g ati o n fl o uri sh e d ro u n d t h e c o asts a n d o n

t h e rivers o f In d ia a n d Cey l o n a n d t h at i t w as i n tr o
,

du c
ed b
y th e m to th e p p
eol es on th e Pe r s i a n G u lf and
So u th A r a bi a . Th e Pers ian
Gul f i s c o mm o n l y re g arde d
a s t h e cra d le o f n avi g ati o n but it i s n o t likel y t o h ave
,

b e e n so O ne o f t h e e ss e n tial s o f S uc h a n art w as
.

lacki n g viz suitable timb e r fo r sh ip buil di n g Th i s o f

,
.
-
.

c o urse w as ple n ti ful i n I ndia and i n t h e Malay A rc h i

,

pe lag o as well as i n Ma dag a scar Th e re fo re i n all

, .

pro bability th e pro to Malay s ldng h el d t h e m o n o p o l y

-

i n o cea n t r afli c u n til t h e S e mitic peo ple s turn e d t h eir

‘

e n erg ie s i n t h i s d irecti o n
’
.

Th i s i s a ve ry g o o d s pecim e n o f t h e a pr i o r i arg u
m e n t w h ic h h o we ver mu s t y iel d t o fact s O n e mate rial
, , , .
148 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

C H A PTE R X II I
.

T HE J EWS A N D PHCE N ICI A N S I N MA D AG A SCAR

I HA V E abo ve su g g es te d th at t h e fleets o f Hiram and

S o l o m o n mu st h av e bee n partly ma n ned by J e ws It .

s eem s imp o ss ible o t h e r w i s e t o acc o u nt fo r t h e n umer o u s

earl y Jewi sh as well as o th e r Semitic rit e s an d u sag e s

s till e v e ry w h ere pre vale n t i n Ma da g a s car O f c o urse
.

w e all k n o w t h at a fter t h e d e s tructi o n o f Jeru s alem b y

T itu s ( 7 0 A D ) th e re w as a g e ner al d i spers i o n o f t h e

. .

J e w s ma ny o f wh o m t o o k re fu g e i n vari o u s part s o f
,

A rabia an d e s peciall y i n Y e me n w h e re t h e y eve n

,

—
fo u n de d s o m e p e tty s tates w h o se rul e rs A sad A b u
— 7
K arib D h u N wa a d t r
,
o s n o,
h e s are still rem e mbere d 0 .

B ut l o ng be fo re t h i s tim e i n timate relati o n s h ad bee n

es tabli sh e d betwee n t h e s till u n ite d peo ple o f Is rael
a n d t h eir so ut h ern H im y aritic c o u s i n s an d n e i g h b o urs .

Such w a s t h e fame o f t h e S o l o m o n ic an d Ph oe n icia n

e x ped iti o n s to t h e so ut h ern se a s i n qu e s t o f trea sure ,

t h at earli e r an d far fro m u n s ucce ss ful essay s i n t h e same

d ire cti o n app e ar t o h av e b e e n fo rg o tten E l s e it w o ul d
.

h av e b e e n remembere d th at S o l o m o n s fat h er D avi d

’

, ,
 j E WS A N D PHtE N / CJA N S I N M A D A GA 5CA R x49

h ad alre ady le d th e w ay and t h u s o btai ne d t h at

,

abu n da n ce o f t h e pre ci o u s metal s t o wh ic h re fere n c e

w as ma de i n C h apter IX .

Dr Peter s call s atte n ti o n ( op c

. it p 5
.
4) t
. o a .fra g me n t
o f E upo l e mo s pre serv e d i n E u s ebiu s ( Pr a ep e v i x 3 0) . . .

w h ic h relate s t h at K i n g D avi d se n t mi n er s t o an

i s la n d call e d U r ph e acc o rdi n g t o G e se n i us m o re c o rre c t l y

,

called O zzc fipfi O é i w h ic h were ma l mi e

’
o r q p
n ,
o n n yg o d n s ,

w h o bro u g h t g o l d t h e n ce t o Ju da e a I t will be c o n cede d

.

th at t h i s fact o f mi n i n g Operati o n s mu s t s peak ag ai n s t

t h e p o s iti o n o f O p h ir i n I n d ia [ a s s umi ng o f c o ur s e t h at

D avid s U r ph e w as O ph ir] fo r t h e A ry a n tribe s wh ic h

’
, ,

i n th o s e tim e s j u s t t h e n be g a n t h eir care er o f c o n que s t ,

were no t at all li k e l y to h ave s u ffe re d a ny military

o ccupati o n fo r t h e pro tecti o n o f mi n i n g u n de rtaki n s
g .

I f. th ere fo r e w e mai n tai n t h at t h e O p h ir g o l d w as g o t

,

b y mi n i n g we mu s t l o o k fo r O ph ir i n r e g i o n s i nh abited
,

b y le ss val o ro u s [ o r le ss civili se d] race s Th e se h o w.

,

eve r were n o t t o be e n c o u n tere d o n t h e ea stern but o n

, ,

’
t h e w e s ter n s h o res o f t h e I n d ia n O cea n A n d ag ai n .

( p . I‘
t fo ll o w s wit h certai n ty [ t h at i s f r o m t h e ,

m e n ti o n made b y D avi d i n I C h ro n xx i x 4 o f h i s . .

3 0 00 tal e n t s o f ‘
g o l d o f O p h ir ] t h
’
at D avi d alrea d y
’
h ad re lati o n s with O p h ir .

I h ave i n tro d uc e d t h e s e pa ssa g e s n o t t o r e o p e n t h e

,
-

7 1
ques ti o n o f O ph ir w h ic h I tru s t h as be e n s u fficie ntl y
,

di scu sse d i n previ o u s c h apte rs but i n o rder t o re cal l t h e

,

u ndo ubte d fact t h at D avi d reall y d i d an ticipate S o l o m o n

i n de s patc h i n g e xpe d iti o n s fo r fo re i g n treas ure No w .

h ere t w o c o n s i de rati o n s pre se n t t h e m selve s Th e firs t .

i s t h at s uc h e x pe d iti o n s mu s t h ave e n te re d t h e Hi my a
 5
1 0 THE GOL D OF OPHI R

r i ti cpo litical do mai n becau se , , as Dr

ri g h tl y . Peters h ere
po i n t s o ut th e auri fero u s la nd mu s t i n any ca se h ave
,

bee n s o u g h t n o t o n th e eas t but o n t h e west s i de o f

, , ,

t h e I n d ia n O cea n th at i s o n t h e E a st A frican se a
,

bo ard ne arl y t h e w h o le o f wh ic h Gla s er t e ll s us ( se e

,

abo ve ) w as p o liticall y h e l d by th e H im y arites fo r a

very l o ng peri o d o f time an d c e rtai n l y w h e n t h e S o uth
,

A rabia n empire w as fl o u ri sh i n g un de r t h e Q uee n o f

S h eba .

Th e sec o nd p o i n t t o be c o n s i de red i s t h at fo r t h e
reat e r part o f h i s rei g n D avi d w as e n g a g e d i n c o n ti n ual
g
warfare wit h t h e Ph ili sti ne s an d o t h er Ca naa n ites ,

wh e n ce S o l o m o n s me ssag e to H iram t h at D avi d my

’ ‘

fat h e r c o ul d n o t buil d an h o u se u n to t h e n ame o f th e

Lo rd h i s G o d fo r t h e wars wh ic h were ab o ut h i m o n
,

eve ry s id e u n til th e Lo rd put t h em u nder t h e so le s o f

,

h i s fe et ( 1 K i n g s v N o do ubt it i s s tated at v I
’
. .

o f t h e same c h apter th at H iram w as ever a l o ver o f

D avi d B ut it i s imp o ss ible t o sup po se t h at any fo rmal
.
’

allia n ce h ad bee n c o ntracted betwe e n t h ese tw o p o te n

tate s e l s e me nti o n wo ul d be ma de o f t h e circu m s ta nc e
,

i n 2 Samuel w h ere t h e fulle s t acc o u n t i s g ive n o f t h e

,

Man o f B l o o d as h e i s call e d i n t h e Talmu d H iram

,
’
.
,

i n dee d se n t h i m g i ft s o f c e dar tree s to buil d h i m an

,
-

h o u se ( 2 Sam v th at i s n o do ubt t h e Templ e as

. . , , ,

sh o w n b t h c rre p d i n pa a i n I C h r xx ii
y e o s o n g s s g e o n 4 . .

An d ce dar tre es i n abu n da n c e fo r t h e Z i do n ia ns a n d

t h ey o f Ty re bro u g h t muc h cedar w o o d to D avi d ’
.

B ut t h ere w as n o c o n c e rte d acti o n o f an y ki n d l e a s t o f ,

all a g ath eri ng o f t h e fl e et s i n th e R e d Sea t o w h ic h ,

H iram h ad n o t y e t g ai n ed access B ut it i s impo rta n t .

 1 5
2 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

se e . later J ews re fe rre d t o at t h e o pe n i n g o f t h i s

Th e
c h apter h ad l o n g di s c o n ti n ued s uc h primitive and
a n t h ro po m o rph ic practice s as th o se a sso ciated fo r ,

i n stan ce with t h e scap e g o at o f L eviticu s xv i I O

,
-
B ut .

t h e g o at o n wh ic h t h e lo t fe ll t o be t h e scape g o at sh all
,
-
,

be pre se n ted alive be fo re t h e L o rd to make an ato n e ,

me n t with h i m an d t o le t h i m g o fo r a s cape g o at i n to
,
-

t h e wil de rn e ss A nd ve r se 2 2 : A n d t h e g o at sh all
’
.

be ar upo n h i m all t h e ir i n i q uitie s u n to a lan d no t

i n h abited ; a n d h e sh all l e t g o t h e g o at i n t h e wil der
N o w i t i s preci se l y t h e se a n cie n t rituali s tic o b se r
’
n e ss .

va nces th at w e fin d s u rvivi ng i n Madag as car Th e .

at n t b i n i d i e u i s replace d b y t h e o x a n d
g o , o e g n g n o s , ,

t h e lat e J am e s Camero n t o w h o m I am i nd ebted fo r

,

several o f t h e fo ll o wi n g i n ci d e n t s me n ti o n s t h e ca se o f
,

a man do o med by h i s de sti n y t o a vi o le n t de ath w h o w as

to l d by t h e priest s th at t h e calamity mi g h t be averted
by do i n g as fo ll o w s . He w as t o ri de o n t h e back o f a
bull o c k a n d t o tak e i n h i s h a n ds a s mall calabash filled
,

wit h bl o o d He w as t h e n t o p o ur o ut t h e bl o o d upo n
.

t h e h e a d o f t h e bull o c k th e n t o d i s m o u n t a n d se n d t h e
,

bull o ck far away i n t o a de se rt wh e re it sh o ul d n ever

,

m o re be se e n o r h eard o f Sad to s ay a fter scrupul o u s ly

.
’
,

carry i n g o ut all th e i n str ucti o n th e do o med perso n ,

met h i s b ad v i ntan a all t h e same .

Th e s ame n o ti o n o f vicari o u s s acrific e c o m m o n ,

e no u g h am o ng s t t h e H o va s o f I m e ri n a i s illu s trate d by ,

th e cas e o f K i ng A n dr i a mé s i nav alo n a w h o w h e n at ,

d eat h s do o r i s t o l d by t h e priest s th at h e may be s aved

’

i f a man can be fo u n d willi ng t o d i e fo r h i m In .

resp o n se t o a pro clamati o n i n viti n g o ffe ri n g s m o s t o fth e

 WS A N D PH E N I CI A N S I N M A D A GA S CA R 5
'

j E 1 3

p e o ple r an away but o ne a certai n Tr i mo fbl o al i na

, , ,

prese n ts h im s el f w ith th e g ullet o f an o x fi lled with

bl o o d c o n ce aled ro u nd h i s n ec k Th i s t h e prie s t s lit s . ,

bl o o d i s sh ed t h e g o ds ar e trick e d and appea se d

,

A m o ng st o th er striki n g a n al o g ies no te d by Camero n

are t h e fo ll o wi ng .

Ma ny o f t h e earl y Is raelite s c o mbi n ed t h e w o rsh ip o f

t h e D eity with t h at o f t h e s u n m o o n a n d s tar s Th e
, , .

n ative s o f I m e ri n a d o pr e ci s el y t h e s ame t h i n g In .

se eki n
g ble ss i n g s fo r t h em se lv e s a n d o t h er s th eir pra y er s ,

a r e add re s s e d t o G o d t h e Cr e at o r t h e
g reat o rb s a n d t h e ,

s tars i nd i s crimi n atel

y .

A m o ng s t t h e a n cie n t H ebrews pro vi s i o n w as ma de

fo r t h e detecti o n an d pu n i sh me n t o f o ffe n ce s ag ai n st th e
Law b y th e o rde al o f t h e bitte r waters o f J e al o u sy ‘ ’
.

Th e s pirit o f t h i s o rdeal s urvive d till rece n tl y am o n g s t

t h e H o va s w h o applie d it t o all s u spect e d ca se s
, Th e .

water h arml e ss i n its el f w as c h an g e d to a dead l y po i so n

, ,

by an i n fu s i o n fro m t h e k e r n e l o f t h e t ang é n a fruit an d ,

t h e acc o mpa n y i n g a n at h ema s are an e c h o o f t h o s e

rec o rded i n Numbers v 2 1 2 2 : If th o u finde st th at h e . ,

h as t h e ro o t o f s o rcery kill h i m i n sta n tl y le t h i m di e

, ,

fo r th w it h t e a r h i s fl e sh wri n g h i s b o wel s tear t h e m

, , ,

i n t o piec e s & c B ut i f h e b e i n n o cen t let h i m live

, .
’

,
‘

quickly pr e se rve h i s h ead wit h o ut de lay

, let h i m
re j o ice g r e atly like o ne w h o h as dru n k c o l d [ h armless ]
,

’
water .

B ull a n d cal f w o rsh ip c o mm o n am o n g s t t h e Is raelites

-
,

a n d o t h e r S e mite s al so pre vailed am o ng s t th e H o vas

, ,

w h o mad e ima g e s o f bull s w h ic h were b o u g h t i n t h e ,

markets a n d se t up fo r ado rati o n all o ver th e c o u ntry

,
.
1 5
4 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

A m o ng t h e Jew s t h e New Y e ar w as u sh e re d i n b y
t h e fe as t o f t h e Pa s s o v e r. So al so am o ng t h e H o va s t h e
New Year beg i n s by a g e n eral fe as t i n wh ich t h ere a r e
,

certai n a n al o g ies with t h e Pa sso ver an d so m e o th e r

J ewi sh feast s E ac h famil y g ro up s elects a bull o ck t o
.

b e killed o n t h e m o rn i n g o f t h e app o i n ted day Th e .

ki n g o r qu e e n al so se lect s a ki n d o f re prese n tative

bull o ck t o be kill e d o n t h e m o rn i n g o f t h e appo i n t e d
d ay . Th e c o u n try i s searc h e d o ver fo r th i s a n imal . ,
.

wh ic h mu s t be with o ut bl e mi s h an d o f pe rfectl y sy m
metrical app e ara n ce . A y o u n g man al so wit h o ut ,

blemi sh o r de fect i s appo i n te d t o im m o late th e bull o ck

,
.

O n t h e eve o f th e fe as t th e s o vere i g n a fter ba th i n g walk s

abo ut am o ng t h e pe o pl e bl e ss e s th e m an d s pri n kl e s
,

th em with water fro m a bull o ck s h o rn Th e n all feas t

’
.

to g eth er an d n e x t m o r n i n g t h e bull o ck s are k ill e d an d

, ,

s o m e o f t h e bl o o d o n a ru s h fi x e d t o t h e wall o r r o o f o ve r

t h e do o rs o f all th e h o u se s .

Sacrifices o n h i g h plac e s w e re c o mm o n t o J e w s an d
Malag asy alik e L ik e t h e Ca n aan ites t h e H o va s h ave
.
,

s acrificial altar s s catt e re d all o v e r t h e la n d w h it h e r t h e y ,

bri n g o fferi n g s t o vari o u s d ivi n iti e s t o o btai n l o n g li fe

, ,

h e alt h pro s p e rit y c h il d re n a n d e v e n fo rg ive n e ss o f s i n s

, , , .

A s t h e Jewi sh A s/ze r a c o ul d be carri e d fro m plac e t o

plac e an d burn e d with fi re so t h e Mala g asy h ad th e ir
,

iti n era n t i do l s fi x ed o n s l e n der po l e s an d al so c o n s umed

,

wit h fire . A t t h e c o r o n ati o n o f R ad ama II it i s s ai d .

h e h ad t h e w h o l e o f th e m — am o u n ti n g as so me s ay t o ,
,

o n e h u n d re d m o re o r —
l e ss o f e ve ry ki n d bro u g h t t o
,

take th e ir plac e i n t h e larg e a sse mbl y Suc h a co lle c .

ti o n o f th e m i f arran g e d i n o n e place mi g h t b e called a

, ,
1 5
6 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

of J e ru sal e m it w as fl au n t e d b e fo re h i g h h e ave n o n th e
,

flat ro o fs o f th e h o us e s it ro lled up i n murk y flam e s

,

fr o m every city i n Is ra e l fro m t h e s ummit s o f Si o n o f

, ,

Gerizim an d E bal an d o f e ve ry h i g h place t h ro u g h

,
’

o ut Pal e s ti n e Fo r S o l o m o n we n t a fter A s h t o reth t h e

‘
.

g o d d e s s o f t h e Zi d o n ia n s a n d a ft e r M ilc o m t h e a b o m i n

ati o n o ft h e A mm o n it e s .Th e n di d S o l o m o n buil d o n e

h i g h plac e fo r C h e m o sh t h e abo mi n ati o n o f Mo ab i n t h e
, ,

b i l l t h at i s b e fo re J e ru s al e m a n d fo r Mo lec h t h e abo mi n a
, ,

ti o n o f th e c h il dre n o f A mm o n ( 1 K i n g s ’

So am o n g s t t h e Malag asy p e o pl e t h ere w as an o ld

cu s to m w h ic h w a s strictl y a n al o g o u s t o t h e o fferi n g o f
i n ce n se t o t h e Qu e e n o f Heave n am o n g s t t h e Ca n aan ite s .

Th e ne w y ear o p e n e d with a n e w m o o n w h e n w as k ept ,

t h e g reat fea s t o f F a na r Oa n a w h ic h i s n o w I u n de r s ta n d
’
, , ,

o b serv e d at t h e full m o o n o f t h e fir s t m o n t h A l ah amad

y
( se e ab o v e ) . T h i s n e w m o o n w a s a n x i o u s l y await e d a n d
u sh er e d i n by much bur n i n g o f i n flammable material s
o n t w o s ucc e ss ive ev e n i n g s t h e fir s t o n beh al f o f th e
,

so v e r e i g n t h e se c o n d o n b e h al f o f t h e p e o pl e
,
B u nch e s
.

o f d r y g ra s s o r h ay ar e fi xe d o n l o n g s l e n der p o l e s ,

ki n d l e d an d t h e n carri ed ab o ut c h i e fly by y o u ng pe o pl e
, , ,

wit h wavi ng an d sh o u t i n g an d re j o ici n g an d t h i s i s so

co mm o n ev e n i n t h e pre se n t day t h at t h e flam e s wit h
, , ,

t h eir a sc e n di ng s m o k e may b e co u n t e d by h u n dre ds o r

,

eve n th o u sa n ds 7 ’
.
3 Th e sp e ctacl e mu s t h av e pre se n t e d
a s triki n g r e se mbla n ce t o t h at w h ic h w as witn e s se d o n
eve ry h ill s i de o f Ca n aan at t h e o ffe ri n g o f i n c e n se t o
t h e Quee n o f Heav e n t h e New Mo o n, .

Malag a sy o ral literature i s e xtrem e ly ric h i n m y t h s ,

leg e nds and t h o s e o th e r ec h o e s o f t h e pa st w h ic h a r e

 j E WS A N D PHG N I CI A N S I N M A D A GA S CA R 1 5
7

e n erall c o mpri s e d u n d er t h e e x pre ss i o n f o l kl o r e .74

g y
S o me o f th ese are u n do ubtedly o f l o cal o ri g i n : o t h ers
may be trace d t o t h e primeval h o me s o f t h e n atives i n
.

t h e Malay la n ds but o t h e rs a g ai n pre s e n t s uc h cl o s e

,

paralleli s m s with o ur E uro pea n p o pular s t o ries an d

fai r y tale s th at n o rt h er n c o n tact and i n flue n c e s at o n c e
s u g g e s t t h em s elv es I w e ll k n o w w h at s lippery g r o u n d
.

fo l kl o re i s like S o ut h A frica t h e g rave o f ma ny reputa

,

ti o n s . Th e qu e s ti o n o f t h e so urc e o f th e s ubj o i ne d
i n stan ces may t h erefo re be le ft t o s uc h rec o g n i se d
, ,

e x p e rt s as Mr An d rew L a n g Mr Edward Cl o dd o r
. , .
,

Mr William G o m m e
. B u t i f t h e m y th s w e r e i n tro duce d
.

fro m t h e n o rt h t h e n t h e o n l y p o s s ible c h a n ne l w as t h at
,

o f H iram s Ph oe n icia n s fo r t h e y al o n e h ad relati o n s

’
,

w it h all t h e pre h i s t o ric p e o pl e s al o n g t h e sh o re s o f t h e

Me d iterra n e a n fro m wh o m t h e y may h ave g at h e re d many

,

o f t h e s e v e ry a n ci e n t po pular l e g e n ds Th e Ph oe n icia n s .

mai n tai n e d c o n s ta n t i n te rc o urs e w it h th e p e o pl e s o f th e

Aeg e a n Se a w h ere ma ny o f o ur n urs ery tale s were
,

already familiar t o t h e Th racian s and pro to Helle n e s fro m

rem o te tim e s Suc h w as fo r i n sta n c e t h e st o ry o f
. , ,

Ci n de re lla t h e A sc/ze npn tte i o f th e T e uto n s a n d t h e

, ,

A s/zpi te l o f t h e Sc o tc h th e mai n feature s o f w h ic h

,

re app e ar i n an E ro s an d Psy c h e m y th preserved by

A pul e iu s ( s e c o n d c e n tu r y
I h ave n o t me t a Ci n de r e lla i n Ma dag a s car but ,

th ere i s a B e auty an d th e B ea st w h ic h reads like a ,

’

varia n t o f i ts E uro p e an pro to ty pe Th e full te x t .

o ccupi e s n o l e ss t h a n fo rt y e i g h t pa g e s i n Mr D ah le s ’
-
.

c o ll e cti o n B ut th e s ubj o i n e d bri e f e pit o m e wh ic h I

.

prepa r e d fo r Ma n Pa s t an d Pre s e n t ( p 2 5
‘
6) w ill s u fli ce .
‘
 1 5
8 THE G OL D O F OPHI R

fo r o ur pur po se . It is e n titled th e H i s to r y o f
A n d r i a n ar i sai nab o n i a maso b o n i a man o r o ,
”
an d bes i d es
th i s pri n ce with t h e l o n g n ame ca l led B o n i a fo r ,

sh o rt , t h ere i s a pri nc e ss Go lde n B ea u ty bo t h be i n g o f

, ,

miracul o u s birt h but th e latter a cripple and de fo rmed

,

u ntil fo u n d and w edde d b y B o n i a Th e n sh e i s So .

t r an sfig ur e d t h at t h e B eas t i s captivat e d an d c o n trives

to c a r r y h e r o ff Th ere up o n fo ll o ws an e xtra o rd i n ary

.

s erie s o f a dve n ture s re s ulti n g o f c o urs e i n t h e r e s cu e o f

,

t h e G o l d e n B eauty by B o n ia w h e n eve r y t h i ng e nd s ,

h appil y no t o n l y fo r t h e t w o l o vers but fo r all o th e r

, ,

peo ple wh o se wives h ad al s o been abducted Th e se ar e .

n o w re s t o re d t o t h eir h u s ba n d s by t h e h ero w h o v an ,

u i s h e s an d s l ay s t h e m o n s t e r i n a fierc e fi h t ju s t as
q g ,

i n o u r n u rsery tales o f k n i g h t s an d d rag o n s

’
.

Th e re i s a le g e nd like t h at o f t h e Hebrew s ab o ut t h e
so n s o f G o d w h o sa w t h e d au g h ters o f me n th at t h e y

were fair an d ano th er quit e a fter t h e ma n n er o f Th e

,
’

In t h i s all t h e c h aracters b o as t
’
H o u se th at J ack built .

o f t h eir s tre n g t h s tarti n g wit h I b o t i ty w h o climb s a tree

, , ,

a n d e n d i n g wit h G o d w h o k illed me n me n maimed

,
‘
,

crab cra b pierce d ro ck ro c k struck bo at bo at cro sse d

, , ,

water water que nch ed fire fi re burn ed iro n iro n cut

, , ,

ro p e r O pe cau g h t cat cat ate rat rat bo re d wall w all

, , , ,

s t o pp e d wi n d w i n d s n app e d tree tree bro k e I b o t i ty s

’
, ,

l e g : N o t/t i ng s o s tr o ng as C o mpare al so Th i s i s
t h e do g t h at kille d t h e rat & c
’

, .

B ut we mu s t no t li n g e r o ve r t h i s fas ci n ati n g t h eme ,

e l se we sh all n ever reac h o u r g o al — t h e g o l de n Havilah ,

o n th e o pp o s ite s i de o f th e Mo zambiqu e C h a nne l .

160 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R X IV

HI MY A R I T E S J E WS
, ,
AN D PHCE N I C I A N S I N R HO D E SI A

CO N C L U SI O N

FR O M Madag as car th e tra n s iti o n t o t h e R h o des ia n g o l d

fie lds c o ul d h ave pr e se n ted n o d i fficulty a nd i n de e d mu s t
,

h av e bee n i n evitabl e o n ce t h e repo rt w as spread abro a d

t h at t h e re g i o n w e st o fS o fala B ay w as ric h l y mi n erali se d .

Camero n (l o o ci t p 9) a ptl y p o i n ts o ut t h at t h e j o i n t
. . .

fl e et s o f H iram an d S o l o m o n u n do ubte d l y pa sse d t h e

i s lan d o f S o c o tra w h ic h l ay a little t o th e we st o f o u r
O ph ir o n t h e s o uth c o a s t o f A rabia
,
Th e v o y ag e
.

t h e nc e to t h e ea s t c o ast o f A frica t o t h e C o m o ro Is la n ds
, ,

o r ev e n t o t h e w e s t c o a s t o f Ma d ag a scar w o ul d b e j u s t
,

s uc h a v o y a g e a s t h e Ph oe n i cia n s i n t h eir s h ip s c o ul d

man ag e p e rh ap s quite as well as th e A rab s o f t h e pre se nt

,

day . In de e d a fter acc o mpli s h i n g as w e k no w t h e y di d

, , ,

t h e vo y ag e fro m E z i o n g eber t o n ear S o c o tra a n o t h er

-
,

vo y a g e o f abo ut t h e s am e l e n g t h but much l e ss dan g er

,

o us wo ul d bri n g t h e sh ip s o f H iram an d S o l o m o n t o
,

B e mb at o ka B ay wh ic h rec e ive s t h e B e ts ibo ka t h e c h ie f

,

river o n th e we st c o ast o f Madag as car w h ile muc h

 HI M YA R I TE S E TC. I N R HOD E S/A 16 1

sh o rt e r an d n o t m o re dan g ero u s w o ul d be t h e vo y ag e
fro m B e mb at o ka B ay t o t h e b ay o f S o fala
’
.

N o w we c a n t a k e t h e fi n al s tep o n o u r l o n g e xcurs i o n ,

an d sh o w t h at t h i s la st v o y ag e acro s s t h e Mo zambique

C h a n n e l no wh e re muc h m o re th an 2 5
,
0 mile s wi d e an d

i n ma ny place s s tu dd e d with i sla n ds w as actuall y mad e

,

b o th by t h e H i my arite s an d Ph oe n icia n s In dee d th i s .

,

p o i n t scarc e ly n e eds furth e r di s cu ss i o n a fter t h e state

me nt s m ad e at t h e o p e n i ng o ft h e e nquiry and th o se m o re
,

particularl y wh ich h ave re fe re n ce t o th e recen t e xpl o ra

ti o ns o f D r H Sc h lic h ter Mr F ra n kli n W h ite an d e spe
. .
, .
,

ci ally Me ss rs H all an d Neal T h ere i s o ne fact o r h o w

. . ,

ever wh ich tak e n i n co n n ecti o n with t h e wh o le bo dy o f

, ,

evi de nce may be re g arde d as c o n clu s iv e A bo ut t h e

, .

Ph oe n icia n s s carc e l y an y do ubt remai n s B ut it mi g h t

.

s till be a s k e d w e re th e y pre ced e d b y t h e H i my a r i t e s

, ,

th i s bei n g o ne o f my mai n c o n te nti o n s ? I h ave abo ve

s h o w n t h at t h e m o re imp o rta nt Semitic eleme nt s i n
Malag asy are derived n o t fro m Ko ran ic A rabic b ut ,

fro m t h e far m o re a nci e n t Mi n aea n an d Sab aea n o f t h e

S o uth A rabian ro ck i nscripti o n s . To c o mplete t h e
arg u me n t it will s u fli ce t o sh o w th at an actual fra g men t
o f s uc h i n s cripti o n s w as fo u n d b y B e nt at Z i mb ab e
y .

Spe aki n g o f th re e s h ards o f t h ree v e ry larg e b o w ls all ,

pre se nti ng e xc e pti o n al i ntere st B e nt write s Th e t h ird

,

fra g men t i s perh ap s th e m o s t ta n tali s i n g o f all ; it i s a

frag me n t o f th e lip o f a no th er larg e b o w l w h ic h mu s t
h ave b e e n m o r e th a n t w o feet i n d iam e ter an d aro u nd ,

wh ic h appare n tl y an i nscripti o n r an Th e letteri ng i s

.

pro vo k i n g l y frag m e n tary but s till t h ere can be n o do ubt

,

t h at it i s a n at tempt at writi n g i n so m e fo rm th e s trai g h t

M
16 2 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

li nes do w n t h e mi ddl e th e sl o pi n g li n e s o n e ith e r si de

,

recall so me sy s te m o f tall y and t h e s trai g h t ne s s o f t h e

,

letteri ng c o mpare s curi o u s l y with t h e pro to A rabia n -

ty pe o f letteri n g u sed i n t h e earlier Sabaea n i nscripti o ns ,

s pecime n s o f w h ic h I h ere g ive a n d al so wit h so me

,

curi o u s ro ck carvi ng s fo u n d by Mr A A A n de rso n i n . . .

’
B ec h uan ala n d R ui n e d Cities p , .

Th e B e c h ua n ala nd ro ck carvi ng s are m e re s crawl s ,

t h o u g h to t h e trai n ed e y e t h ey ce r t ai n ly do prese nt a .

c uri o u s H im y aritic fa ci es Very d i ffere nt are th e

.

Z i mbaby e c h aracters w h ic h are c o mpare d b y B e n t with

a n umber o f pro to A rabia n letters ri g h tl y de scribed by
-

h i m as u se d i n th e earlier Sabaea n i n scripti o n s Th e

’
.

e a r lier Sabaea n as w e h ave see n w a s Mi n aea n a n d th e

’
, , ,

fo ur o r perh ap s five l e tters h ere repro duce d fr o m B e n t

find t h eir e xact c o u n terpart i n t h e o l de st Mi n ae an

carvi ng s Th ey are i n fact quite leg ibl e t h o se wh ic h I

. ,

h ave n umbered 1 2 3 4 bei ng e quival e nt t o o ur a s

, , , ,

( t h ick ),n a n d w r e s pe ct i v e ly T h e y all

. o cc u r r e p e ate d l y
a n d wit h r e at u n i fo rmit y ; fo r i n sta n ce o n t h e i n s cribed
g ,

s t o n e wh ic h i s u suall y qu o ted as Gl ase r 28 2 bei ng ,

am o ng st th e s po il s capture d by Herr E d uard Glas er i n

1 8 8 5and pre se n te d b y h i m t o
,
t h e B riti sh Mus eum .

Th e fi fth i s do ubt ful an d may b e e ith er a O w h e re th e

, ,

h o riz o ntal t o p li ne h as bee n o bliterated o r el s e s impl y ,

t w o vertical d ivi d i ng li ne s s uc h as are c o mm o n i n

,
164 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

H imy ar itic i nscripti o ns w h ic h D r Pe ters w rites me h e .

fo u n d duri n g h i s las t e x pe d iti o n but c o ul d no t t h e n

,

re m o ve and h i s att e nda n t w as a fterw ards u n able to

,

re c o ve r o wi ng t o t h e tall g rass L etter O ct 1 7 ,

’
.
,

B u t e xpl o rers sh o ul d be o n t h e l o o k o ut fo r s uc h relic s

-
,

a n d i n o rder t o facilitat e re s earc h I h ave n o w r e pro d uc e d

i n fac s imile t h e abo ve qu o ted Gla s er do cum e n t i n

exte ns o (s e e fr o n ti s pi e c e ) fr o m t h e B ab y l o n ia n a n d
O ri e n tal R ec o rd fo r S e pt e mber 1 8 8 7 Th e i nscripti o n
.

o ccur s o n a s t o n e d i s c o v e re d w it h h u n d re ds o f o t h e r s

b y Glase r du r i ng h i s se c o n d j o u rn e y t o Y e me n Th e
'

s t o n e w h ic h ca me fro m t h e J au f d i s trict a little e a s t o f

, ,

Ma r ai a b a w as i n fiv e frag me n t s but h as bee n pi e ced

, ,

t o g eth er by t h e fi n de r h im sel f s o th at t h e s e que n ce o f

,

th e t e xt c a n b e tru s t e d .

I n o ur repr o ducti o n t h e l i n e s are d i sp o se d i n t h e

d ir e cti o n fro m ri g h t t o le ft i n o r de r t o facilitat e c om

pari so n with t h e o t h er Semitic script s all o f wh ich al so ,

r u n fr o m ri g h t t o l e ft t h e A by s s i n ia n g ro up ( G e e z
, ,

Ti g r ai c A m h aric ) al o ne e xc e pt e d
, T h e H i my aritic ro c k
.

i n scripti o n s th em s elve s as s h o w n i n Fritz H o mmel s

,
’

S i i d A rabi s c h e C h re st o math i e Mu n ic h 1 8 93 r u n i n
‘ ’
-
, , ,

vari o u s directi o n s so m e bei n g e ve n d i spo se d i n vertical

,

c o l um n s like t h e l e tte ri ng so m e tim e s se e n r un n i n g do w n

,

t h e s i de s o f o u r sh o p w i n do w s
-
. Th i s s h o ul d b e care full y
n o t i c e d b y e x pl o rers w h o ma h av t tur i crib d
, y e o n n s e

bl o ck s o ne w ay o r a n o th er to dete ct an y re s e mbla n ce
w ith o u r fa c s imil e .

O n e o f t h e m o s t striki ng fe ature s o f t h i s ve ry a n ci e n t
w riti n g sy stem i s i t s r e markabl e u n i fo rmity N o t o n ly .

do e s e ac h letter o ccur ag ai n a n d ag ai n n e ar ly alway s i n

 HI ZII YA R I TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 16 5
t h e s am e fo rm iz e so th at it can ev e r y wh e re b e
an d s ,

re c o g n i se d but each w o rd appears t o be i n variabl y

,

marke d o ff fro m th e prec e di n g and fo ll o wi n g by a strai g h t

li n e
. A n a n al o g o u s arra n g e me n t prevail s i n t h e
n umero u s A x umite i n s cripti o n s o f A by ss i n i a but t h e ,

diacritical devic e s are di ffere n t an d o f quite a u n ique

c h aracte r . I h ave n o reaso n h o we ver t o s upp o se , ,

t h at a ny o f th e s e h ave ever fo u n d th eir w ay to S o uth

A frica .

It may b e m e n ti o n e d t h at t h e Sab ae o Mi n aea n -

s cript i s p urel y alp h abetical lik e t h e Hebrew t h e , ,

Ph oe n icia n an d all i t s E uro pean o ffsh o o t s w h e re a s t h e

, ,

Gee z an d i t s m o de rn repre se n tative s ar e sy llabic like

Sans krit ka lee Kai bo b u ba n 810 S h o ul d an y o f t h e
, , , , , , .

A xumit e s h av e s tra y e d i n to Rh o de s ia trace s o f t h i s ,

peculiar o rth o g rap h ic sy s tem may p o ss ibl y al so tur n

u .“
p
I n ee d no re p e at t h e g e neral acc o u n t o f th e
t h ere

rui ns an d wo rki ng s g ive n i n C h apt e r I I B ut I will as k .

t h e rea de r t o g o back t o p 17 w h ere i s g iv e n th e .

,

cla ss ificati o n o f th e remai ns acc o rdi n g t o Me s s rs Hall .

an d N e al . N o bo dy h as a better ri g h t t o s peak o n th i s
de licate s ubj e ct a nd w h e n t h ey te ll us i n C h apte r X I I o f
,
.

t h eir bo o k t h at th e s ch em e i s an i nducti o n fro m t h e actual

s u r ve y o f s o m e t w o h u n d r e d s it e s it will be a d mitte d ,

th at it h as at lea s t a t o l e rabl y su bs ta n tial fo u n dati o n .

In any ca se t h e fir s t t w o cla s ses t h o s e wit h w h ic h we

,
—

s o n —
are m o t c c e r n e d are e stabli sh ed bey o nd a ny rea so n
able do ubt N o t o n l y i s t h e treatmen t di ffere n t but
. ,

t h e di ffere n ce i s s uc h as t o impl y a c o n s i derabl e lap se o f

time bet w e e n th e t w o o rders w h il e t h e sec o nd i s o ften

,
166 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

cle arl y se e n t o b e e it h e r a n ex t e ns i o n o r e nlarg emen t o f

t h e fi r s t o r e v e n actuall y s up e rimp o s e d o n i t s fo und a
,

ti o n s . Th e s e c o nd p e ri o d arc h it e cture i s al so t o b e
‘

fo u nd i n t h e sh ap e o f m o st o bvi o u s e xt e n s i o n s o f a n d ,

add iti o n s t o t h e firs t perio d buil d i n g s i n t h e area i n

,

w h ic h t h e o ri g i n al buil d i ng s are o n l y t h o se o f t h e firs t

peri o d [ t h at i s to s ay i n t h o s e d i st rict s w h ere all t h e

,

o ri i n al s tructur e s be l o n g e xclu s iv e l y t o t h e fi r s t p e ri o d ]
g ,

a n d t h e se a dd iti o n s a n d e xte n s i o n s ar e g e n e rall y built

o ver a n d up o n t h e o ri i n al e re cti o n s
(p ci p ’

g o t . . .

Th u s t h e tim e se qu e n c e bec o m e s as o bvi o u s as w e se e

it fo r i n s ta n c e i n t h e earl y N o rma n and later En g li sh
, ,

s ecti o n s o f Ca n t e rbury Cat h e d ra l .

A g ai n E v e ry arc h aeo l o g i s t w h o h a s writte n o n t h e

s ubject emp h aticall y as s ert s t h at t h e rui n s s e e n b y t h e m

a n d w h ic h t h e y me n ti o n b y n ame sh o w s e v e ral or at ,

l e a st t w o peri o ds i f n o t t h ree peri o d s o f arc h it e cture

,

a n d c o n s tru cti o n a n d t h e t e r ms be s t pe r i o d o r ig i n a l ,

p er i o d, l a te r pe r i o d f
o an c
i e n t bu i ld i ng , de c
a de n t
pe r i o d ,

an d s imilar te rm s t o de scribe d i ffe re n c e s o f arch ite cture

and c o n s tructi o n are very frequ e n tl y e mplo y e d by
th em ( p ’
.

Th e m o re s triki n g po i n t s o f d i ffe re n c e betwe e n t h e

fi rs t a n d s ec o n d s ty l e s th at i s as w e s h all s e e t h e
, , ,

H im y aritic a nd t h e Ph oe n icia n will be be st u n de r ,

s to o d b t h ubj i d umma o f c h i parall l

y e s o n e s r y e a n e

c o l um n s :
F msr PE RI O D SEC O N D PE RI O D
m)
( Rba n i czc
'

MaSSi V C s tr e ng th ; e no r mo us C o n str ucti o n e n e ral l l e ss

g y
so l i di ty ; mo no to no us lai n n ess an d massi v e an d li d ; mai n w all s
p so
 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

F r asr PE RI O D SE CO N D PE R 10D
( Pb c
e n i c
i a n )
fo r ms on t h e i r summi ts al w ays w e l l o f fall i ng of
f th e i nsi de w a l ls b e i ng
fini sh e d dr ai ns g e n e r al st e ps ve r
y i n fe r i o r and w i th o ut de c
o r ati o n

r ar e ; g o l d o r nm
a e n t s fo und o n t h e the g r an i te -

pow de r c
e me n t of th e
o r i g i nal fl o o r s massi v e , q ui t e so l i d , fl oo rs be g an al r e ady to de te r i o r at e
w e ll e xe c ute d and ab undan t
, muc h b o th in q ual i ty , k
th i c ne ss, and

o f th e g o l d e xt r acte d fr o m t h e mi n e s fi ni sh ; no co ne s or c
o nic
al but

e vi de n t l y wo r ke d up o n th e spo t fo r t r e sse s w i th pl a tfo r ms on th e i r

th e lo cal de man d g o l d -
s me l ti ng su mmi ts o c
c ur a ny w h e r e ; dr ai ns
fur naces me r o us ; n o c
nu o ppe r o r abse n t st e ps of g r an i te b lo cks
iro n o r name nt s ; si te o fte n lo w ce me nte d o ve r a co mmo n fe at ur e ;
k no lls r i si ng abo ve
p l at e ath e
u. th e g o l d me n ts far le ss ab un
o r n a

Th e e xac t si mi lar i ty o f th e r ui n s dant , i nfe r i o r also i n mak e and

o f th e fi
r st pe r i o d i n ar chi t e c tur al v al u e ; th us c o ppe r an d e ve n i r o n

fe atu r e s to th o se of th e Sabae o b ang l e s o c cur w i th g o ld bands o r

Ar abi an t e mpl e s i s ve r
y st r i
,
k i ng be ads at i n t e r val s no g o l d
and
po i n ts to th e e ar l i e st Z i mbab w e s s me l t i ng fu r n ace s fo und any w h e r e ,

h avi ng b e e n ere cte d by th e Hi m sh o w i ng th at mo st of th e g o l d w as

y i t i c o r Sabae o Ar abi an pe o pl e
ar - no w w o n fo r e xpo r tati o n ,
p r o b abl y

( p. c
o i t . p. i n the fo r m o f g o l d dust , th i s be i ng
due no do ub t to th e i n c
r e ase d va l ue

of th e g o l d stan dar d i n th e mar k e ts

of th e w o r ld si te mo stly th e
su mmi ts of hig h k o pj es , c
e x e pt o f

co ur se wh e r e th e late r str u c
tur e s
sta nd on th e me si te s
sa as th e
ea r l i e r , w i th w h i c
h t h e y ar e so o f
te n
Many o b se r ve r s th i n k
i n t e r m i n g l e d.
th e mo n ume n ts o f th e se c o nd pe r i o d

fi ni ti es w i th Ph c
sh o w g r e ate r af r ni

ci an th an w i th Hi myar i ti c pr o to
type s. B ut th e di sti ncti o n i s no t

al w ay s q ui t e o b v i o us i n th e Se mi ti c
lan ds th e mse l ve s.

A g e ne ral c h aracteri s tic f bo t h r up w as th e

‘

o g o s

abse n ce o f ro o fed buil di ng s ve r tw o .

‘
In no t o ne of o

h u n d red rui n s i n R h o de s ia w h ic h h ave be e n e x ami n e d ,

are th ere a ny e vi de n ces th at t h e buil di n g s o r eve n ,

t h e e ncl o s ure s were ever ro o fed

, I nd e e d t h e e x te n t o f .
,
 HI M YA R I TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 169

so me o f t h e e n cl o s ure s an d t h eir m o st irre g ular sh ap e s

, ,

e n tirel y preclu de all pro bability o f ro o fi n g bei n g ere cte d .

E ve ry ar c h a o lo g i s t w h o h as i n s pect e d t h e rui ns h as
arrived at t h e same c o nclu si o n Certai n l y t h e te mples .

i n w h ic h Ph allic w o rs h ip w as c o nd ucte d were wit h o ut

ro o fs fo r i n t h e o ld h i s to ric wo rds o f writers o n t h i s
, ,

“
s ubj ect t h e s e were all
, Ope n to th e lig h t o f h eave n
( i b. p. S o true i s t h i s t h at t h e ,
o bver s e o f t h e

B y bl o s c o i n abo ve allu de d t o seem s s i ng ularl y like a

, ,

repro ducti o n i n mi n iature o f so me o f th e g ro u nd pla n s

o f t h e R h o des ia n s tructure s .

Th e cl o se resembla nc e t o t h e S o ut h A rabia n met h o d

o f c o ns tructi o n abo ve re ferre d t o
,
i s se e n e s peciall y i n
, ,

th e s mall brick sh ape d g ra n ite bl o ck s lai d t o g e th er

,
-
, ,

e ve n l y but wit h o ut m o rtar :

, Th e lar g e circular buil d i ng ,

o f t h e Great Zimbabwe rui n s i s built o f s mall bl o ck s o f

g ra n ite br o
, ke n w it h t h e h ammer i n t o a u n i fo rm s ize but ,

beari n g no trace o f c h i sel mark s and n o m o rtar h ad ,

bee n u s e d i n th e c o n structi o n Th e same ki n d o f co n .

s tructi o n viz h ew n s to n e s n eatl y put t o g et h er w it h o ut

, .

m o rtar w as fo u n d by H al evy i n th e a ncie n t an d g reat

,

rui n s o f t h e city o f Me i n i n S o uth A rabia o n l y t h at i n

'

‘
,

t h i s ca se t h e sto ne s are larg er H al evy fo u n d t h e rui n s .

o f Me i n t o be i n all pro babilit h a cie t capital f

‘
y t e n n o

t h e Mi n ac i t h e g e ns mag na a tribe abo ut th e po s iti o n o f

, ,

wh ic h i n t h e m o dern map o f A rabia g e o g raph ers fo r a

, ,

l o n g time g reatl y di ffered 7 6 .

’

R etur n i n g fo r a m o me nt t o t h e t w o peri o ds it i s ,

impo rtan t to no te t h at e xcept w h ere i n termi ng led th ey

, ,

o cc u py t w o di ffere nt g e o g rap h ical area s Here th e .

17 0 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

s ur ve y s o f Me ss rs Hall a n d N e al with t h eir a sso ciat e

.
,

Mr J o h n so n a r e o f g reat valu e fo r determi n i ng t h e

. ,

s e que n ce s an d fo rmi n
, g a clearer view o f t h e relati o n s

e xi s ti n g be twee n th e t w o o r t h ree s ucce ss ive wave s o f

S e mitic immi g rati o n Th e fi rs t p e ri o d buil d i ng s are
‘

fo u n d o n t h e ea s t s o ut h e a s t a nd s o ut h o f a li n e d ra w n
,
-
,

fr o m t h e n o rt h o f Zimbabwe t o t h e n o rth we st o f t h e -

Mat o ppas wit h t h e e x c e pti o n o f a fe w rui n s o verlappi ng

,

o n t h e we s ter n s i de o f t h i s li n e B u t th o se o f th e
’
.

sec o n d p e ri o d o cc u r t o t h e n o rt h n o rt h w e s t an d we s t
,
-
,

o f t h i s li n e e x te n d i ng fr o m a n d i n clu di ng I ny a n g a
,

do w n i n a so ut h w e st e rl y d ir e cti o n t o t h e w e ster n bo rde r

-

o f B u la le ma d i s trict s o ut h we s t o f B ula w a y o
’
-
.
,

Th u s as mi g h t perh ap s b e e x pec ted t h e area

, ,

o ccupi e d by t h e e arli e r r e mai n s lie s m o re t o t h e ea st ,

t h at i s n e arer t o t h e c o a st a n d t h i s reg i o n w o ul d
, ,

n aturall y be t h e firs t t o be reac h e d a n d s e ttl e d b y t h e

pi o ne e r i n tru der s Wh y t h e n it mi g h t be a s k e d d i d
. , , ,

n o t t h e ir s ucce ss o rs al s o o ccupy t h e s ame d i s trict ? Th e

re pl y i s th at th e y d i d as s h o w n by t h e later e xte n s ive
,

a dditi o n s t o t h e o r i g i n al buil d i ng s but th at acc o rd i ng ,

as t h e ea st e r n w o r k i n g s b e cam e less pro fitable t h ey ,

s pre ad g ra d uall y we stwar ds u n til a g reat part b o t h o f

,

t h e Mash o n a an d Ma t ab i l i la n d s w as o ccupi e d .

I t h i n k it may n o w be s h o w n t h at t h e firs t a r ri v al s
w e re th e S o ut h A rabia n s t h e se c o n d t h e Ph oe n icia n s
,

a n d t h e ir J e wi sh a sso ciate s Th e re i s n o w i n t h e
.

po sse ss i o n o f Mr C e c i l R h o de s t h e m o s t pre ci o us re lic

.

o f by g o n e time s h it h erto fo u nd s o ut h o f t h e Zambe s i .

Th i s i s t h e fam o u s Z i mb ab y e Z o diac a larg e o ffe ri n g

‘ ’

,
17 2 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

wh i c h bri n g s us t o a time so me wh at 1 100 B C fo r th e . .

ere cti o n o f t h e Z i mb aby e rui ns ( i b p . .

Th i s date d etermi n ed as tro n o micall y s h o w s t h at

, ,

t h e fir s t arrival s i n R h o de s ia an d t h e buil d ers o f

Z i mb ab y e mu st h ave be e n t h e S o uth A rabia n s an d n o t ,

t h e Jew s an d Ph oe n icia ns w h o di d n o t beg i n t o des patc h

,

t h eir j o i n t e x p e d iti o n s fr o m E z i o n g eber till t h e time o f

-

S o l o m o n th at i s full y a h u n dred y ears a fte r th e e recti o n

, ,

T
’
o f the g n o m o n . h i s h arm o n i s e s c o mpletel y wit h all
t h e o th e r c o nd iti o n s e s p e ciall y t h e s up e ri o r w o rkma n
,

sh ip o f t h e earl y m o n ume n t s c o rre s p o n di n g wit h t h e

,

no w a s certai n e d s upe ri o r culture o f t h e Mi n aea n and

Sabaea n n ati o n s an d al so wit h t h e already m e n ti o n e d

,

pres e nce o f H im y aritic c h aracters o n th e o l dest s tru e

tures If t h i s do es n o t pro ve t h e earl y adve n t an d l o ng
.

s o j o ur n o f t h e S o ut h A rabia n s i n R h o d e s ia t h e n I will ,

as k Ho w do t h e a n al o g o u s m o n ume n t s an d i n scripti o n s
,

pro ve th eir pre se nce an d l o n g so j o ur n i n A by ss i n ia ,

wh ere n o bo dy do ubts th at t h ey w e re th e fo u n der s o f th e

A x umite empire ? I claim t h e re fo re t h at t h i s part o f
, ,

t h e t h e s i s i s e stabli s h e d irre fra g abl y .

C o mi ng no w t o t h e Z i mb aby e Z o d iac i s it no t ,

equall y sel f evi de n t th at th i s do cu men t rec o rds a

-

cale n dric sy s tem c o n structed at a time w h en t h e y ear

beg a n at t h e vernal e qui no x wit h th e e n tra n ce o f t h e
s un i n t o t h e c o n s tellati o n Tauru s ? Si n ce t h e n o wi n g ,

t o t h e prec e ss i o n o f t h e equi n o x e s A ri e s h as g ra duall y

,

m o ved i n to t h e s pace a ss i g n e d by t h e a n cie n t ast r o no

mers to Tauru s an d h as c o n sequen tl y bec o me th e fir s t
,

S i g n o f t h e Z o diac Mo reo ver th e sh i ft to o k place at

.

s uc h a n earl y date t h at A ri e s it s el f h as so t o say , ,

 HI M YA RI TE S E TC. 1IV R HOD E SI A 17 3

n earl y r un i t s c o urs e and t h e first p o i n t o f th i s

,

c o n st e llati o n h as already m o ve d well i n to Pi sce s .

We h ave th ere fo re to g o back so me mill e n n ium s to

reach t h e peri o d wh en th e s un en tere d Tauru s o n Marc h
20 . So rem o te i n fact w as t h i s peri o d t h at Tauru s
became t h e first s i g n o f t h e Z o d iacal y ear am o ng s t all
t h e n ati o ns o f a n tiquity t h at b o rro we d t h eir cale n d ric

sy stem s fro m t h e A ssy r o B aby l o n ia n a stro n o m e rs

-
the ,

re pute d c o nstructo rs o f o ur Z o diac N o t o n l y so but

. ,

t h e very w o rd Ta u r us it s el f acc o mpa n ied t h e sy s tem i n

all i t s pereg ri n ati o n s am o ng s t th e s urro u ndi ng po pul a

tio n s fro m Me so po tamia o r po ss ibl y S o uth A rabia
,

eas twards t o I ndia so uth wards t o Madag ascar an d

, ,

we stwar ds to t h e sh o res o f th e A tla ntic I say p o ss ibly .

S o uth Arabia becau se s i n ce t h e di scl o sures made b y

.

t h e i n terpreters o f t h e H im y aritic i ns cripti o n s it h as

bec o me a m o o t questi o n w h e th er A rabia F eli x rath er

t h a n B aby l o n ia may n o t h av e bee n th e crad l e o f h uman
culture .

B ut h o wever t h i s be t h e wo rd Tauru s wo ul d appear

,

t o h ave bee n tra n s mitte d fro m th e Sem i te s to th e A ry a n s

be fo re th e A ry a n di spers i o n it sel f Ph il o l o g i st s are o f

.

acco r d th at a term fo u nd i n all t h e g reat bra n c h e s o f

t h e A r y a n li n g ui stic fam il y mu s t h ave bel o ng ed t o t h e

c o mm o n s to ck o f t h e primitive A r y a n m o t h er to ng ue
be fo re it bro ke up an d s en t i t s ramificati o n s o ver a
g reat part o f th e n o rt h e r n h emi s p h ere Suc h a
. w o r d is
Tauru s as may be s een fro m t h e s ubj o i ne d c o mparative
,

table s h o wi ng i ts imme n se rang e t h ro ug h o ut t h e

,

Semit i c and A ry a n la nds to g e th er with th e Malag a sy

,

se c ti o n o f th e Indo Po l y ne s ian w o rl d
-
174 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

S E M I T IC T O NG U E S ARV A N T O N G UE S

CH A L D AE A N stao r a

HE B R E W tau r o s

SY RIAC ta u r us

to r o

HI MY ARI T I C s ti n t

A RA B I C st i o r

A RA B V ARIA N T
. ste o r

A RA B D IA L E CT
. st e e r

t ur u
M A L A G A SY ( HO V A ) ada o r o t hj o r r

( FO R T D AU PHI N

D I ST RI CT ) tz o r o

Here t h e pro sth etic s o f so me A ry a n fo rm s s eem s

b e st e x plai ned by t h e S o uth A rabia n ts alt h o u g h a ,

Teuto n ic ro o t s te u r re fe rabl e t o t h e Sa n s krit s t/t u r a ,

h u g e mi g h t y h as bee n po s tulate d
, ,
Th i s u n ive rs ality
.

o f Tauru s ra n g i n g literall y fr o m Ma da g a s c ar t o Ic e la n d
, ,

i s t h e m o re remarkable s i n ce it s ta n ds quite al o n e and

, ,

i s n o t sh are d b y an y o f t h e o t h er Semitic n ame s o f

t h e Z o d iacal s i g n s S o m e mi g h t perh ap s say t h at a n
.

e xcepti o n sh o ul d be made i n favo ur o f A ri e s t h e ,

A l b a ma l u o f t h e A rab s wit h h ere al so t h e Malag as y

-
,

varian t s A la ka ma dy an d A l ab a ma l u D ah le t h i n k s .

th i s may b e th e s ame wo rd as t h e Germa n Ha mme l a ,

wet h er ( lo c ci t p . B ut it ca n no t be so an d t h e
. .
,

re se mbla n ce t h o u g h curi o u s i s merel y a c o i n ci de nce

, , .

Hammel h as n o th i n g t o do wit h Semitic be i ng di s ,

t i nct ly re ferable t o a Teut o n ic ro o t h a m t o maim o r ,

cripple w h ic h still su r vives i n t h e A n g l o Sa xo n Iza me l i a n

,
-

a n d t h e E n g li sh bu mbl e t o mutilate & c Fo r t h e b

, , .

c o mpare b u mble fro m th e L ati n h umi l i s w h e n c e b umi li ty ,

w it h o ut t h e b .
17 6 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

s i kily , (
s i b i dy ab o ve
se e) a n d t h r o u g h t h
,
e S y riac Z a ku r o ,

a so o t h s ay er t o t h e Gre e k {c
, f/c o e s a prie s t
p o r rat h er
, ,

a mi n i ster a keeper o f a temple (d di tu us fa mul us

, , ,

as s ee n i n i ts o ne derivative C o n a s bm t o mi n i strat e
p , .

Th e Greek i s t h u s a rare o rie n tal e xo tic po i nti ng t o

B aby l o nia n i nflue n ce s an d ag ai n pro vi ng th at t h e
,

Z o diacal termi no l o g y i s no t Ary a n but Semitic It s , .

s urvival i n Mada g a scar mu s t c o n seque n tl y be due t o t h e

s ame i n flue n ces a n d we may c o nfi de n tl y c o n clu de th at

,

t h e prie st s and wizards w h o pre s i ded at t h e reli g i o u s

,

Ob serva n ces o f a n cie nt R h o desia and i nte rpreted th e ,

‘
Zi mbab y e Z o diac fo r t h eir v o tarie s were t h e S o ut h ,

A rabia n si ft/t r ( Z e k ur u ) w h o h ave le ft th eir ve r y n ame

,

i n t h e n ei g h b o uri ng i sla n d o f Madag as car .

D i d t h e y leave t h eir v e r y b o ne s al so ? S o me h ave

already b e e n fo u nd w h ic h may plau sibl y be a ss i g n ed to
,

th em ( se e abo ve ) It w as c e rtai n l y a s urpri se an d di s

.

'

appo i n tme n t to t h e up h o l de rs o f t h e Semitic t h eo ry

wh e n B en t a n n o u n ced th at h e h ad n o wh e re d i sco vered
a ny g rave s o r burial g ro u n d s o f th e A rabia n immi g ra n t s
-
.

It w as n aturall y i n fe r red t h at t h ey c o ul d n o t h ave bee n

perma ne n t settlers i n th e c o u n try t h at t h eir so j o urn ,

c o ul d no t h ave bee n pro tract e d and c o n ti n u o u s de spit e ,

t h e evi de n c e o f t h e m o n um e n t s Th e d i fficu lty w as n o t

.

o v e rc o me b y t h e s u g g e s ti o n o f cremati o n becau se t h o s e ,

Semites as i s well k no w n di d no t burn but buried t h eir

, ,

dea d . Many parts o f Ca n aa n are strew n wit h re mai ns

o f a do lme n ic ty pe an d we k n o w t h at do lm e n s w e re i n
,

t h eir i ncepti o n th e to mbs o f t h e departed e specially ,

c h ie fs an d d rui ds B ut t h e d i fli c ul ty w as g o t o ver as
’
.
,

mi g h t alm o st h ave b e e n a n ticipate d i n th e m o st co n ,

 HI M YA RI TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 17 7

vi n ci n g ma n n er , by t h e d i s c o very g oravf th e
e s a n d
cemete ri e s t h em selve s I h ave fo u nd
.
‘
writ e s D r ,
’
.

Sc h lic h te r ( lo c ci t p . . . n o rth o f I n a n a
y g b
[ y e o n d
qu e s ti o n o n e o f t h e m o s t th ickl y p e o pled settleme n t s o f
t h e fo rei g n ers ] w h at I b e li e v e t o b e an exte ns i ve bu r i a l
,

g r o u n d
. O wi n g t o t h e ab s o lut e wa n t o f b o y [
s n ativ e

ass i sta n ts ] at t h e time I w as u n fo rtu n atel y pre ven te d

,

fro m do i n g any e x cavati o n w o rk t h ere o n It i s a .

g reat pit y t h at w h e n s o me ,tim e back s o me pr o s

, pect o r s

o f w h at i s calle d Th e A n cie n t R ui n s C o mpa ny fo u n d

a n u mbe r of a nc i e n t g r a ve s an d g o t o u t o f t h em c
, on

s i de r a b le qua n tities o f g o l d th ey di d no t keep t h e

,

h uma n s k el e to ns w h ic h t h e y fo u nd A lth o u g h I to o k
.

t h e g re ate s t tro uble t o a s certai n de tail s I c an o n l y s tat e

, ,

a s far a s my i n fo rmati o n g o e s t h at t h e
, s k u l l s w e r e

/zo c
do l i c ep/za l o us .

Th i s al so i s w h at mi g h t h a ve be e n an ticipat e d s i n c e ,

t h e S e mit e s are d i sti n ctl y a d o lic h o cep h al o u s ( l o n g

h e ad e d) race with cep h alic i n de x as l o w as
, Th e
s ame mi g h t n o do ubt be s ai d o f t h e H o tte n to t s an d
B u s h me n w h o se averag e i n de x i s al so abo ut 7 2 o r
°
,

B u t t h e re mai ns i n qu e s ti o n w e re n o t t h o s e o f t h e
H o tte n t o t s w h o were th e S lave s empl o y ed i n t h e mi n e s
, ,

an d S lav e s are n o t buri e d wit h c o n s i derable quan titie s

‘

o f g o ld .
’
7 3 Th e remai n s w e re o bvi o u s l y t h o se o f t h ei r
ta sk maste r s w h o i n termi n g l e d littl e i f at all wit h t h e se
, , ,

l o w ty p e n atives
-
I n Man Pa s t a n d Pres e n t ( p 8 8 )
.
‘ ’
.

I re mark t h at no do ubt o t h e r Semites ( Mi n aea n s

‘
,

Sabae a ns and H im y arite s g e n e rall y ) alm o st c e rtai n ly

,

s h o ul d n o w s ay certai n l y ] reac h e h ea t c a
[ I d t e s o s t

bel o w t h e e quat o r i n e arl y h i sto ric tim e s B ut t h e y .

 17 8 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

a pp e ar t o h av e arrive d c h i e fl y as traders an d mi ners ,

a n d n ev e r t o h ave pe n etrate d fa r i n la n d e xcept i n t h e ,

a uri fe r o u s r e i o n s so ut h o f t h e Zambe s i w h er t h ir
g e e ,

s till e x ta n t m o n um e n t s i n t h e Z i mb ab y e a nd o t h e r
d i strict s S h o w t h at t h e y h e l d t h e c o u n try b y military
te n ure an d mi xe d but s lig h tl y w ith t h e N e g ro
,

ab o ri g i n e s ’
.

N e ve r t h e less d i s ti n ct trace s o f Se mitic i n te r mi n g li n g s

w it h t h e pr e s e n t N e g r o i d p o pulati o n s a r e state d o n g o o d

auth o rity t o be e ve ry w h e re p e rc e ptibl e i n t h e reg i o n

b e t w e e n t h e Lo w er Zambe si a nd t h e L imp o po B e n t s .
’

t e stim o n y i s s tro n g o n t h i s po i n t w h ic h certai n l y call s

,

fo r m o re e luci d ati o n t h a n it h as h it h e rt o rec e ived At .

p 6 2 o f R ui n e d Citi e s i s fi g ure d a n impre s s ive g ro u p o f

.

h i g h ca s te n ativ e s U mg ab e a n d h i s In du n a s [ c h ie fs ]
- —
,

o f w h o m B e n t w rit e s : U m g ab e i s a h u g e fat man tall ,

an d d i g n ifi e d t h o u g h n ak e d ; aro u n d h i s n e c k h e h a s
,

a stri n g o f larg e w h ite V e n e tia n bea ds o f c o n s i de rabl e

a n tiquit y bro u g h t do ubtl e s s to t h i s c o u n try by A rabian
,

tr ade r s i n t h e Mi dd l e A g e s ; i n h i s h a nd h e c arri e s h i s
iro n s c e ptre t h e b adg e o f a c h i e f an d h i s battle a xe i s
, ,
-

l avi s h l y de c o rat e d w ith bra s s w ire A mo n g s t h i s me n.

w e saw ma n y o f vari e d t y p e s s o m e d i s ti n ctl y A rabia n

,

i n fe ature a n d I a m bo u n d t o s ay t h e K afli r ty pe
,

a m o n g s t t h e m w a s t h e e x c e pti o n a n d b y n o m e a n s t h e

rul e A rc h e d n o s e s t h i n lip s a n d a g e n e rally refi ned

.
, ,

t y pe o f c o u n t e n an c e a r e n o t as a rul e pro mi n e n t fe atures

, ,

a mo n g s t t h o s e o f pure K affir bl o o d but t h e y a r e ,

c o m m o n e n o ug h a r o u n d Zimbab w e .
’

I n fact w e h av e be fo re u s a g r o up o f e x c e pti o n all y

,

fi ne B a n tu s an d t h e e t h n ical r e l a ti o n s s o ut h o f t h e
,
 1 80 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

t h e y were all c o n ve n ie n tl y c o mpri sed u n der th i s g en eral:

d es i g n ati o n o f B a n tu b y w h ic h i s t h ere fo r e t o be u n der
,

s to o d peo ple s o f B an tu sto ck a n d s peec h

.
’
.

L at e r th e d i sc o very w as made t h at th e B ant u

,
'

l i ng ui stic famil y h ad an imm e n s e ra ng e e xtend i n g i n ,

.

fact alm o s t e x clu s ivel y o ve r t h e wh o le o f t h e c o n ti n e n t

,

fro m K a ffraria t o ab o ut fo ur o r fiv e deg re e s o f latitu d e

no rt h o f t h e E quat o r .

In t h i s va st do mai n o f s o m e s i x milli o n s quare mile s ,

no o th e r la n g uag e s are k n o w n t o e x i s t ex cept t h e

H o tte n to t B u sh ma n ( with Sa ndawi ) a fe w Neg ro
, ,

to n g u e s pe n etrati ng so ut h fro m Su da n and t h e n o n ,

B an t u i d i o m s o f t h e N e g r i t o s d i s per s e d o ve r t h e C o n g o
-

fo re s t z o ne Th u s it i s t h at w e n o w h ear o f B a n t u
.

p e o pl e s a n d B a n tu la n g ua g e s ev e r y w h er e B u t t h e .

t e rm i s still S o mewh at re stricted t o s ci e n tific writi ng s an d ,

h as n o t y e t o btai n e d curre n c y i n t h e B riti sh c o l o n ie s ,

a n d s o ut h o f t h e Zamb e s i w h e re t h e p o pu lar c o ll e ctive

,

n ame o f t h e se n ativ e s i s K a fir o r K afi r e .

H e re it i s care full y to be n o te d th at t h e B an tu s are

n o t full bl o o d N e g ro e s like t h o s e o f U pp e r Gui n e a an d
-

Su d a n but a N eg r o i d peo pl e th at i s a mi x ture o ft w o o r

, , ,

m o re elem e n ts o f w h ic h t h e s ubstratum i s t h e Neg ro

, ,

a n d t h e later i n fu s i o n s mai n l y Hamitic an d 1 20 ,

a l e ss de g re e S e mitic (A r a b) Th e mi xture s t o o k plac e

, .

at d i ffe re n t tim e s an d i n vary i n g pro p o rti o n s t h e result ,

bei ng t h at t h e B a n tu s t h em se lve s s h o w n e arl y all S h ade s

o f p h y s ical a n d m e n tal c h aracter s i n t e rm e d iat e betwee n
,

t h e pure Ne g ro o r E t h i o pic a nd t h e muc h h i g h e r Hamitic

a n d S e mitic ( Cauca s ic ) t y p e s o f ma n k i n d H e n ce t h e .

e xtra o rd i n ary di ffe re n ce s t h at ar e o bse rve d b e twe e n fo r ,

 HI M YA R I TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 1 81

i ns ta n ce , t h e deg ra de d Mag w a mb a ( dem o n s o r ‘

call e d K no b no se s by th e Tran svaal B o ers, an d the

B as uto s, Z ulu s , an d o th er s w h o are bo t h me n tally an d

,

b o d il y imme n sel y s upe ri o r t o t h e F elup s an d o th er

t rue Neg ro e s o f Se n e g ambia .

E v e ry t h i ng n o w se em s clear It w as ab o v e s h o w n
.

( p
. 2 8 ) t h at t h ere wer e n o B a n tu s but o n l y H o tt e n t o t s

a n d Bu s h me n i n t h e Sab ae o Ph oe n icia n peri o d w h e n th e

-
,

m o n umen t s were built a nd t h e mi n e s o pen ed Th e n .

came t h e B a n tu s fierce warlik e p e o ple s desce ndi n g al o n g

, ,

t h e e as t s i d e o f t h e c o n ti n e n t a n d s w e epi ng eve r y t h i ng
,

b e fo re t h em . It i s t o t h e irru pti o n o f t h e se B an tu
h o rde s i n to R h o de s ia th at i s t o be attribute d t h e s u dde n
s u s pe n s i o n o f t h e mi n i n g o perati o n s t h e e x pul s i o n o r ,

e x t e rmi n ati o n o f t h e Semitic pro spect o rs an d se ttler s ,

a n d t h e r e jecti o n o f t h e H o tte nt o t abo ri g i n e s t o t h e

so ut h w e s t c o r n e r o f t h e c o n ti n e n t .
-
A t t h e Mu n d i e
r ui n s we s aw ( p 1 9) t h at t h ere were fo u n d u n mi s takabl e
.

i nd icati o ns o f c o n flicts m ass acr e s o f t h e o l d o ccupa n t s

,

— u n buried remai ns t o r n
, g o l d wire ba n g le s s catt
-
e r e d ,

bead s a n d so o n Th ere w as u nque sti o nabl y a t o tal

,
.

i nterrupti o n o f t h e wo rk s an d o f th e tra ffi c i n g o l d u n til

, ,

th es e re l ati o ns were afterwards re newed u nder d i ffe re n t

c o n d iti o n s by t h e Mo o rs t h at i s th e Mo slem A rab s
‘
,
’
, ,

w h o m th e Po rtu g ue se fo u n d trafficki ng i n g o l d w it h th e
n ative s at S o fala an d i n M a n icala n d (s upr a p I ) , . .

B ut Mr Sel o u s h o l ds th at t h er e was no i n t e rrupti o n

.

a n d t h at true mi n i n g pro ce sse s quartz cru sh i n g a n d n o t , ,

merel y alluvial wa sh i ng s as de s cribed by D e B arro s ( p 4 ) .

w ere c o n ti n ue d b y t h e n ative s t h em s elve s do w n t o q uite

r ece n t ti me s . Th i s i s a m o st i n teresti ng p o i n t o n w h ic h ,
1 82 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

Mr S e l o u s i s e n titled t o h av e h i s case s tate d i n h i s

.

o w n w o r ds I n t h e Ge o g rap h ical J o ur nal A pril 1 899

’
. , ,

pp 391 2 h e say s Th e t w o pri n cipal arts k no w n t o t h e

.
—
,

a n ci e n t pe o pl e ap pe ar t o h ave be e n t h e art o f buil d i n g

w all s o f st o n e brick s care full y fitted t o g et h e r w it h o ut

m o rtar an d t h e art o f e x tracti n g g o l d fr o m quartz re e fs

, ,

a nd I t h i n k it i s
g e n e rall y c o n s i d ere d t h at t h e s e t w o art s

d ie d o ut i n S o ut h E a ster n A frica a very l o n g ti me ag o at

-
,

th e time w h e n t h e a n cien t pe o ple w h o firs t i n tro d uced

t h e m i n to th e c o u n try a r e s upp o se d to h ave been swept o ff

t h e face o f t h e e art h i n s o m e cata str o p h e po s sibl y a
-

ri s i n g o ft h e ab o ri g i n al race s d uri n g w h ic h th e y and th ei r

,

civili s ati o n died to g e t h e r B u t I b e li e ve t h at t h ere i s an

.

i n timat e c o n n ecti o n b e tw e e n t h e B a n tu tribe s n o w i n

h abiti n g S o ut h E a s te r n A frica a n d t h e a n cie n t S e mitic
-

pe o ple w h o fir st built t e mple s an d e x tracte d g o l d fro m

quartz i n t h at c o u n try N o t o n l y di d t h e e xtracti o n o f
.

g o l d fr o m quartz n o t bec o m e a l o s t art a v e ry l o n g tim e

ag o , but w e h ave o verwh elmi n g evi de n ce t h at it h as

bee n c o n ti n ually practi se d do w n t o quite re ce n t times .

b y t h e imm e d iate a n ce s t o rs o f t h e pre se n t B a n tu tribe s ,

a n d w as o n l y d i s c o n ti n ue d o n acc o u n t o f t h e Zulu i n va

s i o n s i n t o Ma s h o n ala n d w h ic h h ave ta k e n plac e d uri n

, g
th e pres e n t c e n tu r y O ld me n w h o acc o mpa n ied
.

U mz i l i g a z i [ Lo be ng ula s fat h er ] o n h i s firs t i n curs i o n

’

i n to t h e c o u n try w e n o w call Rh o de s ia abo ut S i xty y ears

ag o [ 1 8 3 8 h av e repeate d l y t o l d me th at t h e y fo u n d
t h e A ma /zo l i as t h ey term e d t h e n ative i n h abita n t s o f
,

t h e c o u n t r y w o rki n g i n t h e a mag u t i — t h at i s i n t h e dee p

, ,

—
h o les t h e o ld w o rki ng s w h ic h h av e r e ce n tl y be e n fo u n d
by E uro pea ns o n quartz ree fs all o ve r t h e c o u n try . In
1 84 THE G OLD OF OPHIR

Th e te s tim o ny o f Mr Th o ma s B ai n e s t h e well k no w n
.
,
-

traveller an d arti st i s i n c o n testable o n t h e p o i n t He

, .

fo u n d t h e Ma sh o n as e xtracti n g g o l d fro m h ard quart z

re e fs i n t h e n ei g h bo urh o o d o f LO Man g o n di s ( abo ut ’

s eve nty miles no rth west o f t h e presen t to w n o f

-

S ali s bury ) as late a s 1 8 7 0 Y o u will fin d a full acc o u n t

.

e x p e rie n ce i n Mr B a i n e s s bo o k Th e G o l d
“
o f his
’
. ,

”
R eg i o n s o f S o ut h E a s t A frica-
Th u s y o u w ill se e
.

t h at t h e art o f e x tracti n g g o l d fr o m quartz w h ic h w a s ,

fi rs t i n tro duced i n to S o ut h A frica b y a peo ple o f Se mitic

r ac e — as D r Sc h lic h ter c o n s i d e r s
.
— s o me t h re e t h o u s a n d

y ear s a g o h as, e n dur e d i n t h at c o u n tr y u n til quit e

’
r e cen t tim e s .

N o w all t h e fact s h e re s pecified a r e ab s o lut e l y c o rrect .

O f t h i s I h ave i n depe nde n t evi den ce an d i n an y case it ,

w o ul d be m o re t h a n ra sh t o ques ti o n any s tate men t s

ma de b y Mr Sel o u s reg ardi ng rec e n t relati o n s i n alm o s t
.

a n y part o f S o ut h A frica Yet h i s i n fe re n ce s I believ e

.

t o be wro n g A part fr o m t h e pro o fs o f s u dde n i n t e rrup

.

t i o n mass acre an d rui n ab o v e i n d icate d w e h ave D e

, ,

B arro s po s itiv e a s s ura n ce th at fo ur ce n t urie s ag o t h e

’

A rab s h ad n o k n o wledg e o f t h e o ld m o n ume n ts an d

w o rki n g s a n d t h at o n t h e a d ve n t o f t h e Po rtu g ue se t h e
,

o perati o n s o f t h e n ative s were limit e d t o wa sh i n s t h at

g ,

t h e y dive do w n an d fin d muc h g o l d i n t h e mud bro u g h t

’
u p an d g e n erall y n o b o dy d i g s m o re t h a n s i x o r s eve n
,

s pa n s d eep a n d i f t h e t tw t t h e c me up
, y g o o e n y y o o n

t h e h ard r o ck Ho w t h e n are t h e y n o w o r were late ly

’
.
, ,

s kille d quartz cr u s h ers ? Ho w re co n cil e Sel o u s an d D e

B arro s
D r Sc h lic h ter g ive s t h e clue A fte r c o n cl udi ng
. .
 HI M YA RI TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 18 5
( l o c
. c
i t .p 390) t h at t h e territo ries k n o w n t o d ay as
.

S o ut h e rn Rh o d es ia w ere y ear s be fo re t h e co m
me n ce me n t o f t h e C h ri stia n era a g o l d pro duci n g -

co u n try o f a larg e e x te n t an d c o l o n i se d by tb c e a r ly
,

Se mi t i cr a c
es r o u nd t /t e R e d Se a , v i z by
j . ew s, e ni c
Pbc i a ns ,

a nd w es te r n A r a bi a ns h e e s o n t o s peak o f t h re e O ld
, g o

Po rtu g ue se fo rtificati o n s w h ic h I fo u n d i n t h e n o rth er n

,

p art o f I n y a n g a o f o n e o f t h em I ma d e a d etaile d
pla n and mea sure me n t s Th e illu s trati o n [ fi g ured at
.

p 38 5
.
] o f t h e s ecti o n o f t h i s fo rtificati o n s h o w s t h at
t h e s e c o n structi o n s are t o tall y d i ffere n t fr o m t h e o ld

Semitic rui n s as well as fro m t h e Mo n o mo t apa K afir

,

co n structi o n s . Th e e x i s t e n c e o f t h ese Po rtu g u e se fo rt s

pro ve s t h e c o rrect n e ss o f t h e o ld Po rtu g uese writ e rs o f ,

t h e s i x t e e n t h an d s e ve n t e e n t h c e n turi e s w h o a sserte d ,

t h at t h e earl y Po rtu g u e se do mi n i o ns e xt e n ded fa r i n to

t h e i n teri o r o f S o ut h A frica so ut h o f t h e Zamb e s i
’
, .

It i s m o reo ve r a fact o f c o mm o n k n o wl e dg e t h at t h e
, ,

Po rtu g ue se h av e alway s h el d a firm g rasp o f t h e ric h

a uri fe ro u s Ma n ica d i s trict w h e r e t h e y h ave carrie d o n
,

mi n i ng o perati o n s alm o s t c o n ti n u o u s l y fo r o ver th ree

h u n dred y ears do w n t o t h e pre se n t time
,
B ut th e y d id
.

n o t w o rk t h e mi n e s t h em s elve s but like t h e ir S e mitic , ,

p r e cur s o r s
, e mpl o y e d n ative lab o ur fo r t h e purp o s e We .

d o t h e s ame n o w i n t h e K imberley diam o nd fiel ds an d

i n th e J o h a n ne sburg R a n d
’
.

Th u s it came ab o ut t h at t h e B a n tu g o l d wash ers o f -

fo ur c e n turie s ag o g raduall y became t h e e x pert quartz

cru sh ers t h at Mr Sel o u s an d o t h ers h ave fo u n d t h e m
.

t o be i n rec e n t tim e s .Th e re i s no c o n tra dicti o n ,

a n d t h e stat e me n t s o f D e B arr o s an d S e l o u s are i n

1 86 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

acc o rd O n l y t h e c o n ti nuity t h e o r y mu s t be g ive n up

.
'

,.

an d t h i s ev e n o n o t h er g ro u n ds B y t h e Mo n o mo t apa
.

K a fir c o n structi o n s Sc h lic h te r m e a n s t h o se e rect e d b y

’

t h e K a fir s ( n ativ e s ) at t h e ti me w h e n t h e Mo n o mo t a pa

w as Lo rd o f t h e Mi n e s de fa c to as well as i n n am e
’

( s e e ab o ve ) Suc . h s tructure s w o ul d t h er e fo r e c o rr e s p o n d
with th o se o f Hall an d N e al s fo urt h pe ri o d w h en ’ ‘

l o cal races e n deavo ure d w it h ill succ e ss t o ado pt t h e

,
-
,

Zi mb aby e s ty le o f arc h it e cture ( p 1 7 s upr a ) Here i s

’
. .

th eir des cripti o n o f t h ese m o n ume n t s Small circular

s t o n e buil d i n g s s mall e r i n cl o s ure s o fte n ma de o f bl o ck s
,

take n fro m t h e m o re a n cie n t wall s but alt o g e t h e r a p o o r

,

imitati o n o f t h e w o r k ma n sh i p sh o w n i n t h e earlie r
peri o ds T h e cem e n t i s al s o o f a ve ry m uc h c o arse r
.

quality T h e se buil d i n g s h av e be e n ve r y freq u e n tl y

.

e rect e d o n t h e c e me n t e d fl o o r s lai d o ver t h e fil l e d i n -

i n cl o s ure s o f fi r s t and se c o n d peri o d rui ns w h ic h fil li n g ,

i n pro c e ss i s beli e ve d t o h ave b ee n t h e w o rk o f t h e

th ird o r fo urth p e ri o d pro babl y t h at o f t h e bas tard
,

race s l e ft i n t h e c o u n try o n t h e de pa r tu r e o r w ipi n g o ut

o f t h e a n cie n t s ; o r o f l o cal rac e s up o n w h o m t h e ,

impress i o n o f t he a n cien t met h o d s o f buil d i ng s till

’
re mai ne d .

Fo r o bvi o u s re aso n s I ca n n o t acc e pt t h e latter vie w .

B ut t h e g e n e ral de scripti o n p o i n t s n o t merel y at de

cade n c e th at i s a g ra dual decli n e i n arti s tic e x ce ll e n c e
, ,

with o ut an ab so lut e bre ak o f c o nti n u i t y It p o i n t s at a .

re ve rs i o n t o barbari s m a r e o ccupati o n o f t h e buil d i n g s

,
-

a fter an u n k n o w n lap se o f tim e by ru de tribe s w h o ,

utili se d t h e mate rial s at h a nd fo r t h e ir o w n primitive

s tructur e s It se em s s tra ng e th at Mr S e lo u s s h o ul d a s so
. .
18 8 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

t ribut e o f ta l e n ts o f f c
r a n ki n e n s e to D ariu s.
Pli ny s ay s th at t h e Sabaea n s ar e very ric h becau s e ,

t h e A rab s alway s se ll but n e ve r b uy a n y t h i n g

, an d ,

a cc o r d i n g t o Strab o t h i s w a s o n e o f t h e pri n cipal reaso n s

wh ic h i n flue n c e d t h e avarici o u s E mp e ro r A u g u stu s t o

u n de rtake t h e e x pe d iti o n o f A e l i u s Gallu s a g a i n s t t h e

S o uth ern A rab s [ h e pe n etrate d t o t h eir capital Mar ai ab a , ,

but h ad t o retur n r e i nfe cta ] B u t n o wh e re i s t h e sli g h te st

.

h i n t t o be fo u n d t h at g o l d w as a tra d i n g article o f t h e
S o uth ern A rabs duri ng t h e cla ss ical peri o d L ate r
o n at t h e tim e o f t h e Periplu s
, g o l d w a s e n tirel y u n
,

k n o w n as a pro duct o f E as t A frica ( l o c czt p ’

B ut. . .

t h e Pe riplu s bri n g s e ve n t s do w n t o at l e a st t h e mi dd le

o f t h e s e c o n d c e n tury a d i s a s tr o u s tim e fo r t h e Hi my a
,

rite s w h o t h e n l o st t h eir c o mma n d o f t h e se a an d n eve r

, ,

re new e d t h eir relati o n s wit h t h e l o n g aba n do n ed g o l d

y iel d i n g c o l o n ie s alt
, h o u g h a p o rti o n o f t h e ea s t c o a st

a s far as A za n ia ( Za n zibar ) w as s till p o liticall y dep e n de n t

o n t h e Sabaea n e mpir e .

It may be g at h er e d I t h i n k fro m H all an d Neal s

’

, ,

g e n e ral s urv e y ,and care ful mappi n g o f t h e w h o le

g r o u n d t
,
h at t h e e arli e r m o n um e n t s w e re n o t o n l y m o re

s o li d l y c o n s tructe d but al s o c o ve re d a wi d e r ar e a a n d
, ,

im ply alt o g e th e r a l o ng er res i d e n ce i n t h e lan d th a n th eir

‘

I s raeliti sh a n d Ph oe n icia n s ucce ss o r s Th i s i s i n full

.

a cc o rd a n c e wit h t h e h i s t o rical d ata as s uppli e d b y t h e

s acre d te xt s fr o m w h ic h it mi g h t alm o st b e i n ferre d

,

t h at t h e S o uth Arabia ns we re t h e tr ue s e ttl e rs a n d

co l o n i st s t h e o t h er s bo th late r arrival s an d l e ss pe r
,

ma n e n t s o j o ur n ers Th ere i s n o e vi de n ce o f auv

.

Ca n aa n iti sh ex pediti o n s t o u se a term w h ic h w ill c o ver

,
 HI M YA R I TE S E TC. IN R HOD E SI A 1 89

bo th Is rae lite s an d be fo re t h e time o f D avi d

Ph oe n icia n s , ,.

a nd alt h o u h h e r i n d f rt ear it i t t b
g e g e o y y s s n o o e
,

s upp o se d t h at h e w as able t o tur n h i s att e n ti o n t o

fo rei g n e n terpri s e be fo re h e h ad cru s h ed all h i s e n emi e s

t o w ards t h e e n d o f h i s rei g n say at m o st t e n y e ars , , ,

be fo re t h e access i o n o f S o l o m o n N o r c o ul d h e de s patc h .

fleets be fo re h e h ad a s e ap o rt an d h e h ad n o s eapo rt ,

be fo re th e re d ucti o n o f E do m w h ic h g ave h i m access ,

t o t h e R e d Se a H e n c e h i s so mewh at pro blematical

.

e xp e d iti o n t o U r ph e ( se e abo ve ) ca n h ard l y h ave i n ,

an y case take n plac e muc h be fo e 10 20 B C fo r

,
r . .
,

S o l o m o n s ucceeded i n 10 1 5 B ut S o l o m o n d ie d i n .

97 5 , a n d h i s d eat h w a s imm e d iat e l y f o ll o w e d b y t h e

d i s m e mberme n t o f I s rael an d t h at b y t h e E g y ptia n

,

K i n g Sh i sh ak s capture o f Jeru s alem i n 97 1 F i n all y

’
.

h h av br k at E i b r me
’

J e h o s a p at s n y w a s o e n z o n g e e s o -

wh ere ab o ut 900 a n d th ere w as an e n d o f all fo rei g n

,

e n terpri s e o n t h e part o f t h e J e w s a n d t h eir Ph oe n icia n

a sso ciates .

With t h e de at h o f H iram certai n l y d uri ng t h e l o n g

,

re i g n o f S o l o m o n fo r h e w as alre ady ruli ng i n D avi d s

,
’

tim e th e allia n c e ceas ed N o r c o ul d t h e Ph oe nicia ns a ny

,
.

l o n g e r mai n tai n t h e ir c o mm e rcial p o siti o n a g ai n s t t h e

rivalry o f t h e H im y arit e s i n t h e I nd ia n O cea n i n t h o se
tro ubl o u s times w h e n E g y ptia n s A ssy ria ns an d B aby
, , ,

l o n ia ns were at c o n sta n t war fare a n d Ty re it s el f ,

be s i e g e d b y Sarg o n ear ly i n th e e i g h t h c e n t ury We .

t h u s s e e t h at all t h e e xpediti o n s o f J e ws an d Ph oe n icia n s

w e r e c o n fi ne d t o a peri o d o f littl e o v e r a h u n d re d y e ar s

w h er e a s t h o s e o f t h e H im y arit e s ma h ave
( 10 2 0 y
e x te n de d o v e r s e veral mill e n n ium s d uri n g t h e fl o uri s h i n g
190 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

epo ch s o f t h e Mi n aean a n d Sabaea n empire s A t any .

rate we h ave o n e date 1 100 B C a stro no micall y deter , . .,

mi n ed ( s e e ab o ve ) and h o w l o ng t h e tra ffi c i n g o l d and

,

t h e o t h er c o s tl y merc h a n d i s e may h ave bee n e s tabli sh ed

b e fo re t h at date it i s imp o s s ibl e t o say

,
B ut it came t o .

a cl o se with th e A xumite c o n ques t o f Yeme n abo ut

5 3 0 A D fo.ll o
. we,
d a c e n tu ry later,
b y t h e M o s lem ,i r r u p
t i o n w h e n t h e Y o k tan i de s w e n t do w n be fo r e t h e Ish mael
,

ites an d t h e H im y arite s d i s appeare d fro m h i s t o ry

, .

Th ey we re succe e d ed b y t h e Mu h amma da n A rab s ,

wh o se fl o uri sh i n g se ttlem e n t s Mag do sh o Mo mbas a

—
, ,

Me li n da Quil o a & c were fo u n d ( and m o s tl y des tro y e d)

,
—
, .

b y t h e Po rtu g ue se pi o n eers e x te n d i n g al o ng t h e e a s tern

s e a bo a rd all t h e w ay fro m Cap e
,
Guarda fui t o S o fala .

We t h u s se e t h at th e S o ut h A rabians we re do mi n an t i n
t h e I nd ia n O cea n t h ro u g h o ut h i st o ric time s an d th at t h e y ,

w e re t h e c h i e f fo rwarde rs o f th e se a bo r n e tra ffi c u n til -

t h e y w ere o u sted b y t h e we s t e r n peo ple s — Po rtu g uese ,

D utc h an d E ng li sh
,
F urt h e rm o re w e k n o w t h at t h e
.
,

R e d Se a w as bri stli n g wit h acti v ity c e n turie s pri o r t o

o ur e p o ch th at A rab s h i ps bro u g h t s pic e s fro m
In d ia t h e ca s s ia tree fro m C h i n a ; an d t h e w e alt h o f
,

A rabia i n t h o s e day s w a s pr o v e rbial Th e B ibl e i s full .

o f all u s i o n s t o it t h e m o n um e n ts o f E g y pt bear e qual

,

te stim o n y t o t h e we alth o f t h e peo ple o f Pu n t A ri stea s .

t e ll s u s t h at a larg e quan tity o f s pices pre ci o u s s to ne s , ,

a n d g o l d w a s bro u g h t t o R o m e 7 6m A c i 8
’
a w no t
p , ,

”
fr o m A rabia but by t h e A rabia n s
“
,
Th e y w e r e i n fact .
, ,

t h e carri e r s o f t h e a n ci e n t w o rl d ( B e nt G e o g raph ical ,

J o ur n al 1 8 93 p ,
’
, .

So al s o Sir Th o ma s H o l d ic h t h an w h o m it w o ul d be
,
1 92 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

al o ng t h e ea st c o a s t o f A frica a t h e o ry w h ic h i s s tro n g l y
,

s upp o rt e d b y t h e evi d e n ce o f t h e Periplu s Geo g raph .

.

April 1 899 p , .

He n ce t h e A rabs mu s t at all times h ave be e n well

acquai n ted with th e Rh o de s ia n g o ldfie l ds and t h ey we re ,

able t o describe t h e lie o f t h e lan d and i ts ru n n i n g

waters t o t h e earl y Po rtu g u e se adve nturers i n s uc h a
w ay t h at D e B a rro s call s t h e K i n g do m o f S o fala an ‘ ’

i s la n d e ncl o sed lik e an i s la nd by t w o arm s o f a river

,
’

( p
s u r a p , H. e t o o k t h i s e x pre ss i o n pr o babl
y fro m
t h e A rab s t h em s elve s w h o se j e z i r a t
’
, i s la nd h ad a ,
‘
,

very elas tic mea n i n g b ei n g c o mm o n l y applied b y th e m

,

t o p e n i n s ula s as w e ll a s t o any i n la n d tract s e n cl o s e d

,

7 9 Th u s Se n aar be t w e e n t h e
by c o n ve rg i ng s tre am s .

W h ite and B lu e N il e s an d Meso p o tamia betwe e n t h e

,

T i g ri s and E uph rat e s a r e i s la n ds as w as al so R h o

‘ ’
, ,

des ia t h e auri fero u s ki ng do m o f S o fala ro u g h l y e n

, ,

cl o sed betwee n t h e Zambe s i and t h e L imp o p o Th e .

e arl y H im y aritic tra der s mu s t t h ere fo re h av e rep o rte d

t o t h eir I s raeliti sh n ei g h bo urs t h at t h e g o l d bro u g h t by

t h em t o th eir empo riu m o f O p h ir came fro m a n i s la n d ,

a re g i o n e n cl o s ed by rami fy i n g waterco urse s an d th at ,

t h e g o l d w as o f fin e quality as it s till i s t h e pr o p o rti o n

, ,

avera g i ng i n so me di strict s as h i g h as tw o o r th ree o z to .

t h e t o n an d t h at be si de s g o l d t h ere were al so preci o u s

,

s t o n es — bde llium an d t h e o ny x A l l t h i s c o rre s po n ds .

e x actl y wit h G e n ii 1 1 1 2 t h e literal ver s i o n o f w h ic h

. . , ,

is :
‘
Name o f t h e s e —
fir t [ riv r ] Pi sh on i t [ i s ] t h e su r
ro u n de r o f all t h e la nd o f t h e Haw i lah wh e re g o ld [ i s ] .

A nd g o l d o f t h at la n d [ i s ] g o o d t h ere [ i s ] t h e bé do l ah
—

an d s t o n e o f t h e Sh o sh a m
’
.
 HI M YA RI TE S E TC. I N R HOD E SI A 193

We h ave made circuit o f th e In d ian O cea n fro m

th e

R h o d e s ia ro u nd by Pu nt a n d A rabia t o I nd ia an d t h e
Go l de n C h e rso n ese an d so bac k ag ai n t o Rh o d esia an d
, ,

h ave n o wh ere fo u nd a ny la n d e x c e pt th i s w h ic h at all

c o rre s po n ds wit h th e B iblical descripti o n A lt h o u g h .

i n i t s pre se n t fo rm G e n e s i s i s a c o mparative l y lat e

do cumen t it no ne t h e le ss perpetuates t h e o ral tra d i
,

ti o n s o f th e Is raelite s w h o h ad o n l y a sec o nd h a n d
,
-

k n o wl e dg e o f th e auri fero u s Havilah it sel f h e n c e co n ,

fuse dly a s so ciate d it as w e h av e se e n with t h e g o l d

, ,

d i s tributo r O p h ir but at t h e s am e time accurat e l y de

,

s cribed i t s s alie n t g e o g rap h ical fe ature i t s i n s ular fo r,

mati o n fro m th e re po rt s o f i t s Him y a ritic c o l o n i s ts

,

buil ders o f i ts m o n ume nt s a n d w o r k e rs o f i ts ric h g o l d

fiel ds Havila h and R h o de s ia are t h ere fo re o n e and i f
.
,

a n y s till d o ubt t h e bur de n will fall up o n t h em o f

, p r o

duci n g any o th e r re g i o n w h ic h will eve n rem o tel y

a n sw e r to t h e k no w n c o n d iti o n s o f th e pro blem .

B ut th ey will h ave t o do muc h m o re th a n th i s .

Th ey will h ave t o e xplai n away t h e s quar e

miles o f Rh o des ia n m o n ume n t s and a n cie n t g o l d

w o rki n g s th em selves w h ic h o n th e ir a s sumpti o n o f so m e
,

o t h e r Havila h w o ul d b e l e ft o ut i n t h e c o l d B ut t h at .

i s imp o ss ible Th e m o n um e n t s a nd t h e w o rki ng s wit h

.
,

th eir sl ave pits t h eir Z i mb aby e Z o d iac t h eir o bjects o f

-
, ,

Semitic wo rs h ip an d o th er acc e s so ries an d ab o ve all ,

th eir vas t e x ten t an d s ucc e ss ive arc h itectural peri o ds ,

are e stabli sh e d b y th re e deca de s o f i n telli g e n t e xpl o ra

ti o n a n d ar e no l o ng er o pe n to ques ti o n He n ce w h at
, .

w as t e n tativel y put fo rward as a plau sible a w o rki n

g ,

h y p o th e s i s b y t h e pi o n e e r i n ve s ti g ato rs n o tabl y Mauc h

, ,

O
194 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

Mau n d B e nt and Swan h as cea sed to be a s ubj ect o f

, ,

s peculati o n an d mu st h e n ce fo rt h be acc e pted wit h

,

Sc h lic h te r Hall N e al J o h ns o n and all o th e r livi ng

, , , ,

o b server s as a perma n e n t acqui s iti o n o f h uma n k n o w

,

l e dg e o n e o f t h e m o s t so li d an d brillia n t add iti o n s t h at

,

h ave b e e n made i n m o der n tim e s t o t h e s u m o f h i s t o ric

l o re.

We t h u s arrive at th e fo ll o wi n g impo rta n t co n clu

s i o n s w h ic h I tru st may n o w be c o n s i dered fairl y well
,

e s tabli sh e d a nd may t h e re fo re le g itimatel tak t h

, y e e

place o f th e many th e o ries an d s pe culati o n s h ith e rt o

curre n t reg ard i n g t h e G o l d o f O ph ir i t s so urc e and
‘
,
’

fo rward e r s

O p h ir w as no t th e
urce but t h e di stributo r o f so ,

th e g o l d an d t h e o t h er c o stl y m e rc h a n d i se
bro u g h t fro m abro ad t o th e C o urt s o f D avi d
a nd S o l o m o n .

O p h ir w as t h e empo rium o n t h e s o ut h c o a st o f
A rabia w h ic h h as be e n i de n tifi e d wit h t h e
Mo sch a o r Po rtu s N o bili s o f t h e Gre e k a n d
R o ma n g e o g rap h e rs .

Havilah w as t h e auri fe ro u s la n d w h e n ce cam e th e

f O
’

g o l d‘
o p h ir a n d H avila h i s h ere i d e n tifie d
,

wit h R h o des ia t h e mi nerali sed reg i o n betwee n

,

t h e L o wer Z amb s i a n d t h e L imp o po

e — Mas h o n a ,

Mat ab i l i an d Man ica la nds

, .

Th e an cie n t g o l d wo r k i ng s o f t h i s reg i o n w e re
fir st Ope n e d a n d t h e a sso ciated m o n ume n t s
e rect e d by th e S o ut h A rabia n H im arites w h o
y ,

were fo ll o we d i n t h e time o f S o l o m o n b y t h e
, ,
 THE G OL D OF
. OPHI R

i n th e Re d Sea Th arsh i sh i n H avilah and

, , ,

mi dway between th ese t w o O ph ir i n S o uth

,

A rabia .

Th i s ce n tral po s iti o n o f O ph ir e xplai n s h o w it

became th e i n termediate empo rium w h ith er th e
fleets o f Hiram and S o l o m o n sailed every t h ree
ear s fro m E z i o n g eber fo r t h e g o l d imp o rte d
y
-

fro m Havilah an d fo r t h e s pice s g ro w n o n th e

,

s l o pe s o f t h e n ei g h bo uri n g Mo u n t Sep h ar n o t
,

far fro m t h e d eep i n let o f Mo sc h a ro u n d w h ic h

,

are th ickl y s trew n t h e rui n s o f O ph ir .

Th ese an d t h e o th e r H imy aritic rui n s o f Yeme n

Sh o w stri k i n g an al o g ies wit h t h o se o f R h o de s ia ,

wh ile t h e n umero u s o bject s o f Semitic wo rsh i p ,

and th e fra g me n t s o f th e H im y aritic script fo u n d

at Z i mb ab y e an d el sewh ere so uth o f t h e Z am

bes i leave n o reaso n abl e do ubt th at t h e o ld
,

g o l d w o rki n g s a n d a sso ciate d m o n ume n t s o f

th i s reg i o n are to be ascribe d to th e a nci e n t
H im y arite s o f S o uth A rabia and t h e ir Jewi s h
an d Ph oe n icia n s ucc e s s o rs .
 200 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

N O TE 4, p. 4 .

Th at i s, ‘
I n fide l s
’
( Ar ab . K afir , pl .
5 5Kuf a)
5 r , th e

na me e ve r ywh e r e a pp e d li by t h e Ar ab s t o t h e i r pag an ne ig h
b o ur s h e nce th e A si at i c K afir i stan ( Kafir lan d ). I n So uth
A fr i ca th i s w o r d h as be e n fr o m th e Po r tug u e se b y t h e
ado pt e d

D utch , an d fr o m th e D utch b y t h e E ng li sh , and h as th us

beco me th e co ll e ct i ve n ame o f th e n at i ve s e ve r w h e r e so uth
y
o f th e Z ambe si . Th e r e su lt is i nc o n g r u o u s i n th e case of

man y B e ch uanas, B asuto s, an d Ama X o sas, wh o

-
ar e th u s st ill
cal l e d pag an s l th o ug h r e all y e ar n e st Ch r i sti ans No r i s th e
,
’
a .

e pi t h e t an y l o ng e r appl i c abl e t o th e K u fr a Oasi s o f th e Sah ar a ,

w h ic h was so name d be c au se w h e n fir st r eac h e d by t h e Ar ab s

i n t h e e ig h te e n th c e nt ur y i ts Ti bbu i n h ab i ta n t s we r e h e ath e n s ,

w h e r e as all ar e n o w g o o d Muh ammadan s .

NOTE 5 , p 6 .
.

Fo r l i
an e xp an at o n o f t h e se te r ms I must r e fe r th e r e ade r

to my mo n o g r aph on Th e Po r tug ue se i n So uth Afr ica, i n

‘ ’

R. W Mur r ay s
.
’ ‘
So ut h Afr i ca fr o m A r ab D o mi n at i o n to

B ri ti sh R u l e , Stan fo r d,
’
1 8 91 ,
p
. 1 3
.

NOTE 6, p. 7 .

Th i s i de n t i ficatio n, base d like n e ss b e t we e n Ag y

on th e

Sy mba and Sy mba o e cann o t stan d be c au se Pto l e my s Ag i

’
-

, ,

z mba was n o t a fo r tr e ss o r a pal ac e o r a ci t y b ut a vast

y , ,

r e g io n r e i o A e th i o u m l a t i ssi me exte n sa ic l c
( g p ) w h h h e p a e s ,

s o uth o f t h e L u n a e M o n tes Mo untai n s o f th e Mo o n abo ut

t h e e q uat o r Wh at Pto l e my s zy mba may me an I do no t k no w ;
.
’
-

b ut D e B ar r o s Sy mbao e i s r i g h tl y e xplai n e d b y D e B ar r o s
’

h i mse l f as a r o yal c o ur t I n th e sti l l c ur r e nt l o ca l B antu

.

.
dial e c t s t h e c o mpo n e n ts ar e n z i mba a h o use an d mba i e a , , ,

l o r d h e n c e nz i mba mba i e (zi mbabwe ) cl e ar l y me an s a ch ie f s

’
-
 N O TE S A N D A D D E N D A 20 1

dwe lli ng . I n th e wi de spre ad C h i nyanj a lang uag e of Nyasa

l and mba ie st ill me ans a pri n c e , an d ny u mba, a h o u se, wh e r e
ny = nj ,
nz , &c., as in M a sa , M j
a n a,
M a n t a, &c. Se e A.
R i dde l
’
s G r ammar o f th e C hi n yanj a Lang uag e ,
’
Lo ndo n,
1 8 8 0.

C H A PT E R II

NOTE 7, p . 1 1.

I t was r e all y R e n de r s wh o first di sc o ve r e d th e se ruin s ,

th r e e ye ar s befo r e Mauch saw th e m th o ug h Mauch an d ,

B ai n e s fir st publi sh e d th e m to th e wo r ld an d th e y o n l y ,

de scribe d w h at th e o ld Po r tug u e se wri te r s talke d o f h u ndr e d s

— E A Maun d G e o g r aph Fe bruar y
’
o f ye ar s ag o
‘
. . . , .

5 M c cc n t appe ar e d i n P rm
’
h
’
1 8 91 p
,
10 .au s a o
. u e t e an n s

Mi tt h e il ung e n fo r Apr il 1 8 7 4 ; an d B ai ne s i n Th e G o l d
’ ’ ‘

R e g i o ns o f So uth Easte r n Afr ica L o n do n 1 8 7 7

’
-
.
, ,

N OTE 8 , p. 1 6.

Q uo ted i n my B o e r State s, Land and Pe o pl e ( Meth ue n ,

1 900 , p . wh ere furt h e r de tail s w ill be fo und.

NOTE 9, p . 2 4.

Hi sto ry ,
’
Bo o k II . I un de r stan d t h e r e is a c
o py o f th e

r ar e mo u s Eng l i sh tr an slat i o n o f th i s
an o n y va uab el l wo r k in
th e G r ahamsto wn L i b r ary, w h e r e i t may be c o n sul te d by o ur
So u th African friends in te r e ste d i n th e e ar l y h i sto r y o f t h e i r

ado pte d land.

NOTE 1 0,
p. 2 5 .

‘
R e po rt on th e Far m, ’
Li sbo n, 188 3 q u,o ted in ‘
Bo e r
States, p. 44 .
’
20 2 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

NO T E 1 1, p . 2 7.

R u i ne d Te mpl e s i n Mash o naland ,

’
in J o ur . An th r o p.
1 8 97 , p . 1 1. Th e wh o l e passag e i s wo r th q u o t i ng
Th e di ffe r e nc e i n fo r m o f th e te mpl e s i n th i s par t o f Mash o na
lan d, an d o f th e so u t h e r n t e mpl e s near th e L i mpo po i
r ve r , is
wo r th y o f n o t i ce . i de n t fr o m e ig h t o f th e te mple s
It i s ev

wh ich I e xa mi n e d th at t h e pr e va i l i ng so uth e r n type i s a si n g l e

wal l b uil t o n o n e o r mo r e cu r ve s b ut n o t fo r mi ng a c o mpl e te
,

e n cl o sur e ; w h e r e as t h e n o r th e r n t e mpl e s ar e n l l i f t
g e e r a y n o

al ways c o mpl e te e n c l o sur e s fo me d o fte n o f o n e c urve Th i

r , s .

wo ul d se e m t o sh o w a sl i g h t di ffe r e n ce i n th e c u l t and t h e ,

di ffe r e nc e i n c ul t may h ave i n dic ate d a di f fe r e n c e i n th e

p ri n ci pa l i n du st r
y o f t h e p p
e o l e C e r ta i n l.
y t h e re i s a w i d e

di ffe r e n c e i n t h e so il an d g e o lo g i cal fo r mat io n o f th e t wo

di str ic ts fo r h e r e th e c o u n tr y i s fai r l y fe r t ile an d i s aur ife r o u s
, , ,

b ut t h e c o un t ry b e t w e e n th e Maklo utsi and Tu l i i s c e r tai n ly

n o t fe r t il e and h as n o t y e t b e e n pr o ve d to be au r i fe ro us If .

th e re was e ve r an y do u bt c e r tai n l y re c
, e n t di sc o ve r ie s at Z i m

bab we se e m to pr o ve th at i ts bu i l de r s came th e r e fo r g o ld ;
an d ye t we fin d t e mpl e s o f t h e same s tyl e i n a co un tr y w h e r e

t h e r e se e ms to b e n o g o l d Th e o n ly sug g e sti o n I c
. an o ffe r

i s th at they w e n t to the l a tte r c o u n try f or p c

i re
o us s to n es . Th e
c o un try th e r e i s g e ne r al ly co mpo se d o f fr e e sto n e , t r ave r se d by
tr ap dyk e s, an d i n th e al t e r e d fr e e st o n e o cc ur cr ystalli se d
q u ar t z mi n e r al s of many ki n ds , an d some ti me s th e se ar e o f
co nsi de r abl e be auty Many o f t h e.
pr e ci o us st o n e s me n t i o n e d

i n t h e b o o k o f R e ve l at i o n ar e fo u n d th e r e .
’

NOT E 1 2,
p. 27.

Sk i zze de r G e sc h ic h te un d G e o g r aph i c Ar abi e ns, B e r li n , ’

1 8 90, II . pp 364.
—
5. He re bde l li u m is r e g ar de d as a
g u m l i ke
styr ax ( )
st o r ax li k e a m
an d a t e e
l urgg i m an d t h e n i t i s s tate d ,

t h at i n D h affir — t h e Mah ra c o u n t ry i n So u t h Ar ab ia wh e r e I ,

l o cate O ph r g um i s still call e d a ml o h h t h e He br e w bdol a hh

i —
, ,
204 TII E G OL D OF OPHI R

Fur g e wi sse G e g e n de n i st d i e s vo l l i g e r we s i li ch ,
i n de m B e r g e
u n d Fl usse de s Lan de s, w o j e tzt di e K o o sa [ A ma X o sa
]
-

w o h n e n , i n i h r e n h o t te nto ti sc
he n Name n de n s ich e r n B e we i s
an si ch t r ag e n , dass si e e n st i ble i be nde r B e si tz de r Ho tt e nto te n
g e we se n i
s nd ( B e r lin e d. 1 8 1 2, i i i . p. I h ave e ve n

c
t r a e d th e Ho tt e nto ts as far n o r th as Lak e Vi cto ri a Nyan za ,

and th e B ush me n to L ake Tang an yi ka Man Past an d

Pr e se n t, p.
’
121

C H A PTE R II I

N OTE 1
5p
, .
33 .

Th e R ac e s of th e Old Te stame nt, R e l ig i o us Tr ac t

’

So ci e ty, 189 3, p . 5 1.

NOTE 1 6,
p 33
. .

I n t h e b r il l ian t bu t h ig h l y ve ntur e so me E i n le i tu ng ( I n tr o
ducti o n ) to h i s N ubi sc h e G r ammati k .
’
He re th e auth o r fin ds
on ly t wo st o kc lang uag e s i n th e wh o le o f Afr i ca ,
w h e r ea s o th e r s

h ave di sc o ve r e d at l e ast a sc o r e i n Sudan alo n e .

NOT E 1 7, p 3
. 4 .

Th at i s, Circumn avig ati o n o f t h e R e d Se a by wh ich

Th e ,
’

th e wri t e r me an s t h e I n di an Oc e an i nl e ts ( R e d Se a pr o pe r , ,

Pe r si an G u l f & c) all i n cl ude d

, . As t h i s valuabl e do c ume n t
.

will b e ag ai n r e fe r r e d t o I may h e r e state t h at G l ase r ascribe s

,

i t to B asil e an Al e xan dr ian G r e e k tr adi n g i n t h o se w ate r s

,

ab o ut t h e mi ddl e o r se c o n d h al f o f th e fir st c e ntu r y ( be twe e n

5 6—6 7 A D
.
) T h
. e r e po rt i s fu l l o f u se fu l i n fo r mat i o n fo r se a

far e r s muc
, h o f i t evi de nt ly at fir st h an d I t tak e s th e fo rm .

o f a so r t o f l o g b o o k o f c o ur se wi t h d igr e ssi o n s an d muc

-
, h
de sc r i pt i ve matte r ke pt by t h e tr ade r h i msel f wh o star ti ng
, , ,
 N O TE S A N D A D DE N DA 29 5
fro m t h e Myo s Ho r mo s o n th e R e d Se a Co ast of Egypt, fir st
take s th e se ab o a rd to th e rig h t to or b e yo nd th e latitude o f
Zanzi bar , th e n to th e le ft
Ar ab ian pe n i nsul a, t h e
r o un d th e

Pe rsian G ul f, and Me kr an ( B al uchi stan ), to th e we st c o ast o f

I ndi a, wi t h a so rt c
o f te l e s O pi cg an e at th e l c Far East.
’

NOTE 18,
p 36..

d b D i d r us Si c l
Passag e p y
r e se r ve o o u us
(3 , 4) an d —
12 1

q u o te d b y H. F. To ze r i n A H i s t o r
y o f A n ci e n t G e o h
g p y,
r a
’

Cambr i dg e , 1 8 97 , pp. 1 8 6 8 . Th e r e i s an Egyptian papyr u s i n

—

T uri n w h ic h sh o ws a map o f o ne o f th e se mi ni ng i
stat o n s,

an d, as i t date s fr o m th e t i me of R ame se s I I ., i s th e o l de st

chart in t h e wo r ld . It i s r e pr o d u e d c i n R e clu s, x. p
. 28 5
o f my E ng li sh e di ti o n .

C H A PTE R IV

NOTE 19, p 38 . .

Alte G e o g r aph i e , 53
’
. Onee t ymo l o g i e s i nstan ce of th e
will suffice .Th e The bae Oppi dum o r Tabi s i s sai d to be so
calle d fr o m an Arab tr ibe D eba i an d bo th o f th e se te r ms ar e ,

suppo se d to be evidently co n n e cte d w ith da hab g o l d No w , ,

t h e Pe n i n sul a was i n vade d and part l y r e duce d mo r e than o n c e

b y t h e Pe r si ans u nder th e Ac h ae me ni de s fo r i nstanc e an d

, , ,

ag ai n i n th e t e n th c e n tur y A D w h e n Abul Kasi m wazi r o f

. .
, ,

Adh ad ud D o wl a c o nq ue re d t h e wh o l e o f Oman and fo u nde d

-
, ,

t h e pr e se nt Sh e r ai zi L i ttl e Sh i r az n ame d afte r th e Sh i r az o f

’
, ,

Far si stan ( 96 5 Wh y th e n mig h t n o t Ta bi s be de rive d

, ,

fr o m th e Pe r si an tab fe ve r h e at & c i n refe re n c e to th e h o t

, , , .
,

miasmati c distr icts al o ng man y par ts o f th e l o w lyi ng te ha ma -

se abo ar d . Fo r such a de rivat io n th e re i s th i s to be sai d th at ,

th e tab i s th e r e un q ue st io nab l y wh e r e as th e da h ab ,

st ill awai ts di sc o ve ry N o do ubt th e fe ve r str ic ke n

. -
206 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

co astlan ds li e mo r e o n th e we st ( R e d Se a ) side o f t h e Pe n i n
sul a . B ut w e sh al l se e th at so me ph il o l o g i sts al lo w th e mse lve s
th e li be r ty o f fir st e q uat i ng A bh i r a w i th Ophi r and th e n tr an s ,

lat ing i t bo dily fro m th e I ndus to th e we st side o f th e Pe r sian

G ul f So t h e y at l e ast canno t o bj e c
. t to such an e q u at i o n as

tab = Ta bi s o n th e g r o un d o f t h e g e o g r aph i cal di ffi cul ty .

NOT E 2 0,
p 39
. .

Th e Land of Mi di an ,
’
vo l . II .
p . 1 5 9 o
s

NOTE 2 1, p .
4 .
1

Th e sug g s e ti o n re mi n ds emi ne nt state sman s

o ne o f an
’

h ands o ff as i f th e B r i t i sh fl e e t s co uld sail up th e B al kan

’
,

h ig h lan ds to dri ve Austr ia o u t o f B o sn ia an d He r ze g o vi na .

An d w e may h e r e r e cal l B u r to n s r e mar k th at Mi di an i s n o t

’ ‘

i ncl ude d by He b r e w Ho ly Wr i t i n aur i fe r o us Ar abia (supr a ’

,

C H A PTE R V

N O TE 2 2,
p 44
. .

Th e e tymo l o g y of co ur se i s d -
rr v
p ,
o s un -
fir e d, un fuse d, un

sme l te d, zgn i s exper s, t h at i s, pur e , nat ive , g o l d i n n ug g e t

fo rm . Ce r tai n l y a s tr ang e po pu l ar e tymo l o g y fo r co w h e r ds,

i n w h o se co u n tr y t h e r e was no g o ld at all, be yo nd pe r ha s a
p
l i t tle du st wash e d do w n b y th e Pu nj ab i
r ve r s .

NOTE 2 3 , p.4 8 .

Fo r nSnn ( Haw flah ) w e ar e to r ead 71 5 ( H ki l h )

0 11 a a ,
‘
wi e
n ah e z u se l b stve r s téi ndl i ch , p 32 3
’
. .

NO T E 2 4, p 9
. 4 .

Th e R ac o f th e O l d Te stame n t, p. 4 2 .
’
es
208 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

NOTE 2 7, p .
5
5 .

K i ng So l o mo n s G o l de n O ph i r, p. 4 3. Despi te i ts ph il o
’ ’

l o g ical h ere sies, th i s i s a use ful bo o k, co ntai ni ng so me valuabl e

data an d many sh re wd sugg e sti o ns.

NOTE 2 8,
p .
5
6.

Mo no mo tapa B o o k I pa ssi m I nde e d I th i nk . . ,

it may no w be said th at many o f th e se h ith er to myst e r io us

r e mai n s ar e u n do ubte dly o f e arl y Ph oe n ici an o ri g i n B ut th e r e .

ar e di ffi c ul ties till
s i
n e e d ng e xp anat o n, s l i uch as ccurre nce
th e o
of s i milar mo nu me nts rts o f th e in o th e r pa Medi te rr anean
Mal ta G o o ante la a th e
,
zz P l r i ,
B a le aric I slan ds & c so me o f
—
, , .

wh ich appe ar to date fr o m t h e Ne o li th ic Ag e h e n ce cann o t ,

be c r e di te d to t h e Ph oe n i ci an s wh o se mig rat i o n fr o m t he ,

Per si an G ul f to th e Me di te r r ane an canno t h ave tak e n place

much e ar li e r th an abo ut B C . .

N OTE 2 9,
p 64 .
.

I I. 1 8 , 5 64
dy rfii SEtw a t/6 111 xofw e r o v, 1r e
pi 8 3
px0
’
9 a cc
r u e

m r epo v.
'
xa o '

NOT E 3 0,
p 6 .
5 .

especi ally
Se e th e
‘
Ve r h andlung e n de r G e se ll sch aft fur
Er dk un de B e r l i n —
’
, , 1 8 96, pp . 2 9 .

NOTE 3 1,
p 6 6
‘

..

D er Name Oph i r h at n ich t da s g e ring ste mi t mah r i ti sch

5
.

af
’
ur (J fig l)
“
r o th zu th un , da di e se , wi e i c
h i n Arabien g e nau

o n stati r te , mi t
c ch e n wi r d. Spr e ng e r An sich t i st
’
g p
e s r o s
i
l
a so zu ve rwer fe n (op ci t ’
. . p . Wh at B u r to n re all y says
 N O TE S A N D A DD E N D A 299

i s th at ‘
O fir , w h i ch in C e n tr al Ar a bia wo ul d be pr o no unc e d
Afir [d = a i n me ans
’
red
“
i n So uth e r n Ar ab i a, and th e
Mah r a tr i be o f Hadr amaut [ Dh o far ] cal l Mar e R ub ru m
st i l l

n classi c a l A r a b ic U fr
B ah r O fir [ R e d Se a
] I (j )
’
. fi e

red Ce r tai nly cann o t be wr i tte n w i th an a l ij fi Th e fe w pas

sag e s i n t h e B o o k s o f Ki ng s and C h r o nicl e s al l g i ve Watt

[ fi
O r n o t Ofir as B ur to n t r an sl i te r ate s
,
’

] w h il s,t i n J (o b x x v i i i 6 ).

we fin d am h b [ ]
’ “
( O fi r u t D a h a r e a d D s a h ab ) d u s t o f
”
g o l d , o r
g o l d o r e w r i t te n,
i n t h e p l u r a l w i t h O i n
[ ] (
a i n
’
T h
‘
e

G o l d Mi n e s p Th u s th e r e i s no su bstanti al di ffe r e n c e
’
.
,

b e t we e n B ur t o n an d G l ase r an d th e se tw o g r e at Se mi tic
,

sc h o l ar s b o th ag r e e th at t h e B ibl i c al O ph i r an d th e w o r d fo r

r e d b e l o ng t o t wo di st i n c t r o o ts As so muc . h h as be e n b uil t
u po n t h e suppo se d me an i ng o f O ph ir t h i s o t h e r wi se val uab l e ,

u t a t i o n fr o m B urt o n may pe r h aps b e fo u n d ac c t b l

q o e p a e .

N e ve r th e le ss many stil l c l i ng t o t h e I ndi an Oph i r an d ,

Mr E G R ave n ste i n wh il e admi tti ng th at th e R h o de sian

. . .
,

t e mpl e s po i n te d t o su n w o r sh i p an d th e w o r shi p o f t h e l i n g a
’
-

[p h a l l u s
] an d t h at s u c h t e m p l e s a r e c o mm o n e n o u g h i n

So uth e r n Ar ab i a adds : B ut t h e y ar e al so c o m mo n to o t h e r
’
,

r t s o f t h e w o r ld — t h e y ar e c o mmo n mo r e e spe c i a l l y i n I d i
p a n a ,

and I sh o ul d li k e t o se e th e cl ai ms o f I n di a pr o pe r ly c on

si de r e d i n th i s r e spe c t G e o g r aph J o ur Apr i l 1 8 99 p

’ ’
. . .
,

B ut t h e I ndi an te mpl e s h e r e re fe r r e d to ar e to tall y di ffe r e n t

bo th i n styl e an d co nstructi o n as we ll as far mo r e re ce n t th an ,

th o se o f R h o de si a an d So ut h Ar abi a, wh i c h i n al l r e spe ct s
sh o w th e c lo se st analo g i e s and e ve n i de nti ti e s as wi ll b e se e n ,

fur th e r o n Th e di ffe r e nc e s be twe e n t h e m and th e I n di an ar e

.

so g r e at th at th e y c o ul d n o t h ave be e n e r e c te d b t h m
y e s a e

p p
e o l e a
,
n d I n d i a i s t h u s a g ai n e xcl u de d b th e ve r
y y a r
g u m e n t
advan ce d to suppo r t h e r clai ms .

Th e n Si r Th o mas Ho l dic h ask s : Wh y sh o ul d I n dia b e

’
‘

co n de mn e d as a co u nt ry th at h o lds n o g o l d ? I h ave a g o o d
man y fr i e n ds wh o h ave r e aso n t o h o pe o th e r wise an d wh o ,

w i ll c o n si de r th i s a mo st di stu r bi ng asse r ti o n We k no w th at
.

o n e o f t h e g r e at di fli c ul ti e s wi th wh ic h g o l d mi n i n r at i o n s
‘
g p O e
-

P
 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

i n I nd i a h ave to c o nte nd i s th at th e r e ar e an ci e n t wo r k i ng s i n
I n d i a i n th e Wy naad [a Tal uk o f Mal abar ] , i n t h e K o l ar di s
t r i e t [ b e t w e e n t h e G o dave r i an d K i st na r i ve r s], Myso re , an d

i n th e basi n o f th e Mah an uddy r i ve r ,

an d t h at t h e se wo r k ing s
ar e dr i ve n so de e p t h at i t i s di fficul t to dr i ve any fur th e r . O ut
o f th e m an i mme n se amo u n t o f g o l d must at o n e t i me o r
an o th e r h ave be e n e xtr ac te d an d I be li e ve myse l f t h at e ve n
,

b e fo r e t h e days o f Al e xan de r g o l d was lar g e l y fo und a nd used

i n I n di a [ i tal s mi ne ] I be l i e ve i n fac t al th o ug h n o stat e
. , ,

me n t as to t h e e xi ste nc e o f g o l d i s made b y an y o f Al e xande r s ’

h i st o r i an s ye t th at I am g e o l o g i cal ly c o r re c t i n sayi ng e ve r y
,

si n g le r i ve r i n th e Pu nj ab h o l ds g o l d e xc e pt pe r h aps th e ,

B e as (l o c c i t p 394 N o w i n th e fir st pl ac e no bo dy
’
. . . ,
, ,

as se r ts t h at I n di a h o l ds n o g o l d bu t t h at t h e q uan t i ty i s
‘ ’
,

r e l at i ve l y smal l so th at e r y l i tt l e was e ve r e x o r te d al l be i n
,
v
p g ,

n e e de d t o me e t t h e g r e at l o c al de man d i n fac t t o b e use d i n

‘
,

I n di a as Ho l di c h h e r e can di dly admi ts B ut i n th at case

’
.
,

n o n e w as l e ft fo r So l o mo n an d Hi r am w h o mu st th e r e fo r e ,

h ave g o n e e l se wh e r e fo r th i s c o mmo di ty T h e n i t will be .

n o ti c e d t h at al l t h e aur i fe r o us di str icts h e r e spe c i fie d li e away

'

t o t h e so ut h o r e xtr e me e ast so th at th e c , o st o f tr an spo r ti n

g
th e o utpu t th e nc e t o B ar yg aza fo r i n stanc e w o u l d be pr o h i bi
, ,

t ive . G o l d may be was h e d d o wn by th e Punj ab r i ve r s b u t ,

su r e l y i n v e r y s mal l do se s so s mal l t h at t h e s c d t h
, y e a p e e

no ti c e o f Al e xan de r a n d h i s k e e n e ye d Mac e do n ian fo ll o w e rs

,
-
.

Th e y r e po r te d i vo r y o f w h i c ,
h Ve r g i l h e ar d (I n di a mi tti t ebur ) ,

bu t n o t g o l d wh ic h i s n e ve r me n ti o ne d
,
N ay mo r e i ts e xi s
.
, ,

te n c e i n t h o se n o r th we ste r n par ts i s di sti n c tl y de n i e d so th at

-

n o state me n t as t o th e e xi ste n c e o f g o ld i s made b f

‘
y a n y o

Al e xan de r s h i sto r ians i s n o t a full pr e se n tme n t o f t h e case

’
.

Amo ng h i s [Al e xande r s] fo l l o we r s w r i t e s Sc h lich te r ( i b p

’ ’
, . .

w e r e man y wh o w o ul d h ave c o ll e c te d n e w s abo ut a

‘

g o l d -
b e l t i n I n di a
pr o v i,
de d t h a t t h e l att e r w as a c t ua l l y e x i s t
i ng . B ut n o g o l d c o un tr y wh ate ve r e xi ste d t h e r e [th i s i s t o o
str o n g an d sh o ul d b e w a s kn o w n to the G r ee h s to exi s t th e r e
, ]
o n t h e c o n t r ar y al l I n di an t r i be s w e r e al mo st de vo i d o f g o l d
, ,
 2 12 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

al t e st eB a n ddpa , di e spate r e D h afar , D h o far be i Mi r bat i m

We i h r auch lande , j e tzt I sfo r de r Ei ng e bo r e ne n, an de m B e r g e
e
g g e n de n Mo r g e n , das h e ut ig e ho he We ih r auch g e bi r g e
Fag ue t i n de r Eh kili Spr ac h e ), so i st di e L o cali tat de r xi i

Stamme de r Jo kta n i de n, zn de ne n O ph i r g e h Or t, e r mi tte l t.

Si e tr i fft me r kw ii r di g g e n ug mi t de m L an de Mah r a i m O ste n
de s ig e n tli ch e n Hadr amaut mi t de m it ur all te ste r Ze i t
'

e , se

b e r tth mte n We i h r auch lan de ,

zusa mme n . D ar i n lag abe r

D h o far Za h
( p , ar ch e i n D o ffir h Or t e Ni e buh r n e nne n ) di e
au

an ti k e R e si de nz de r Hi myar i te n K On i g e z ur Ze i t de s h oc h ste n

G l anze s die se s R e ic h e s (C i vi tas e xi mia Taph r a no c h b e i

.

Ammi an Marc e l l xxiii 6

. . we lch e zug l e ic h se i t fr ii h e ste n
. ,

Z e ite n als E MPO RI U M i n g r o sse m Waar e nve r ke h r mi t de m

we i te n O r ie n te stan d u nd zu nac h st al s j e ne s Oph i r an g e
,

spr o ch e n we r de n kon nte .

’

NOTE 33, p .
7 0 .

Th e r e sul t s o f i nve stig ati o n s fo r me d th e subj e ct o f

B e nt
’
s

a pape r wh i c h was r e ad be fo re t h e me e ti n g o f th e B r i ti sh
Asso ciati o n at I pswich i n 1 8 95and publ i sh e d i n t h e G e o ,
‘

h ic l J l A 95 u d i l f
’
g p
r a a o ur n a fo r u g u st 1 8 n e r t h e t t e o ,
E x

p l o r at i o n o f th e Fr a n k i n c e n se C o un t r y So u t h e r n A r ab i a , .
’

To th e se may be adde d So ut h e r n Ar abi a ( 1 90 0 ) a po s ‘ ’

t h u mo us wo rk e di te d w i th adde nda b y Mr s Th e o do r e B e n t .
,

b ut c o n tai n i ng fe w fr e sh data o n t h e subj e c t un de r c o n si de r a

ti o n .

NOTE 34, p 7 3 .

Op. c
it Th e pas sag e r e fe r r ed to i n th e Pe r i
’
2 7 6.
‘
.
p .

l lm/V1. ai d? K a i dr r dxo vr a dr o um wv
'
h
’ e

p u s, 3 0 ,
r u n s t u s : ra f er
p )
-
p
'

v mm
c
’
ka fo r s Ka TO t i I/ r wv, t h at i s,
‘ ‘
h ig h ro cky an d Se cl ude d
mo untai n s o ccupi e d by pe o pl e dwell i ng i n cave s ’
.
 N O TE S A N D A D D E N D A 2 13

C H A PTE R V I I I

NOT E 35 , p 7 6..

D e an V i nce n t Co mme r ce
,
‘
an d N avi g ati o n o f th e An ci e n ts
i n t h e I n di an O ce an, vo l . i i . p. 33 . 5 Th i s l e ar n e d
co mme ntato r wh o has man y sh re wd re mar k s wo rth r e me mbe r
,

i ng th i nk s Pto le my s 7 63 p o v r e fe r s to suc h Easte r n

’ ' ’

, 1 p v w ! 1r e a e vr

mar ts as B ar yg aza Sci ndi Oman an d Pe r si s

, , ,
’

NOTE 6
3, p 77
. .

R ui ned Citie s o f Mash o nalan d ,

’

p . 1 48 .

NOTE 37 , p 8 0 . .

An i mal s Me nt i o n e d i n t h e B i bl e
’

( R e l i g i o u s Tr ac t So ci e t y,
1 8 8 8, p.

NOTE 8
3, p. 8 1.

Q i cl
ua
ass i s reg i s pe r mar e cu m classe Hi ram seme l per
tr es a n uo s i bat i n Th a r si s, defe r ens i nde aur um e t ar g e nt um,
&c. th at i s, c
o n e ever y th r ee y e ar s w en t to Th a r si s, br i ng i ng
the nc
e g o ld a n d si l ver , &c .
’
So al so th e Au th o ri se d V e r si o n
par t l y r ig h t an d pa rtly o b s ur ec in 2 Ch r o n . i x. 21 : Fo r th e
K i ng ’
s sh i ps w e n t to Th ar sh i sh e ve r y th r e e ye ar s o n e c
came the sh i p s o f Th a r s h i sh b r i n i n
g g g o l d, & c. H e r e
’
ag ai n

th e V ulg ate is r i h t and cl e ar t h r o ug h o u t :

g
‘
S i q ui de m n ave s

reg is i ba nt i n Tha r si s se me l i n ann i s t r i bu s e t defer eba n t

i nde aur um, & c .

’
— we n t to Th ar si s an d br o ug h t th e n c e g o l d,
as i n Ki ng s. It may h ere he re mar k e d t hat wh e e r Th ar sh i sh
(Tar sh i sh
) o cc ur s i n th e Au th o ri se d Ve r si o n i t i s al so fo und ,

I t h i n k, i nvariably i n th e He br e w te xt b ut no t ne ce ssar i ly ,

e i th e r in t h e Se ptu ag i nt o r th e V ulg ate a fact wh ic h h as o fte n ,

2 14 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

c ause d th e e xpo u nde r s of Scri p tu r e — Co r n e l i u s a Lapi de ,

R o se n mii l le r , &c.
— no l i ttl e tr o ubl e . O n e i n stan ce w il l suf
fi e. c
I n Eze k i e l xxv ii ., ve r se s 1 2 an d 2 5 , th e Eng li sh V e r si o n h as
Ta r sh i sh , an sw e r ng i to th e He br e w ri ”
i i n bo th passag e s .

B ut n o t so t h e Se ptuag i n t ich at ve r se 1 2 h ave

and Vulg ate wh
K pxn86m an d Ca r th ag i n e nses C ar t h ag i n ian s an d at ve r se 2 5
a or

o oi m rc h l d n a ves ma r i s h i f
‘‘

o
’
a
p p
t e e
flr an t ve sse s an S ps o

th e He n ce th e co nj e c t ur e th at sh i ps o f Th ar sh i sh ‘ ’

h ad be c o me a c o mmo n plac e fo r se a g o i n g ve sse l s li ke t h e -

fa mo u s cli ppe r s k n o w n as Easti n di ame n wh i ch be fo r e b e i ng

‘ ’
,

supe r se de d by st e a m we r e e n g ag e d i n th e C h i na t e a tr ade ,
b ut mig h t g o an ywh e r e N e ve r th e le ss, we sh all se e t h at,
.

al th o ug h th e re we r e se ve r al Th ar sh i sh e s, th e B ibl i c
al Th ar

i l mo n s i me h ad de fin i te me an i ng
’
s h sh o f So o t a ve r y .

NOT E 39, p 8 2 . .

Th u s B e n t : Th e t e r m Mo sc
‘
h a, g i ve n to i t by th e Pe r i pl us, “

is a co mmo n t e r m g ive n t o bays an d i n l e t s o n t h e Ar ab ian

C o ast M er ba t th e name g i ve n i t by Ar ab i an wr i te r s i s still

. , ,

r e tai n e d i n t h e h e adl an d t w e l ve mi le s e ast & c Th e passag e

’
.
,

oc c ur s i n th e R e po r t w h ich B e n t pr e par e d fo r th e B r i ti sh
A sso c i ati o n o n h i s e xpl o r at i o n s i n th e D h o far di str ic t Sub .

j o i n e d i s th e se cti o n de al i ng w i t h th e ar ch ae o lo g y o f th e
fr an k i n c e n se c o un t r y r o u n d ab o u t t h e r u i n s o f O ph i r an d th e

adj ac e n t h ar bo ur o f M o sc h a : Th e ar c h ae o l o gi c al i n te r e st i n
‘

t h e plai n o f D h o far c e n tr e s c h i e fl y i n i ts c o n n e c ti o n w i th th e
fr an k i nc e n se tr ade an d th e to wn s e stabli sh e d i n an c i e n t ti me s
alo n g t h e c o ast b
y t h e m e r c h a n t s w h o p r o v i d e d t h e a n ci e n t
w o r l d wi th t h e o do r i fe r o us dr ug s .

We h ave se ve r al classi cal auth o r i ti e s w h o r e fe r to th i s

‘

di str ict n o tab ly C laudi us Pto l e my t h e auth o r o f th e

, , Pe ri plu s
Fr o m t h e m w e c
”
o f th e R e d Se a Pl i n y and a fe w o th e r s
, , an .

g a t h e r c e r t ai n de fin i t e
p o i n t s t h a t b e y o n d R a
, s F a r ta k a n d t h e

Sach al i te s Si n u s th e r e str e tc h e d a fe r ti l e c o ast l i n e k n o w n as

t h e L iban i fe r o u s c o ast Th e capi tal o f th i s di st r i c

. t was
2 16 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

wh e r e dw e lt, Y ako n t te l l s u s, th e Pr i nce of D h o far , w h o h ad

a mo n o po l y o ve r t h e fr an k i n ce n se tr ade , and pu n i sh e d t h e
i nfr i ng e me nt o f i t w i th de ath I n late r t ime s th e Pe r si an s
.

o cc upi e d t h i s spo t , i n t h e fo ur te e n th an d fifte e n th c e n tur i e s o f

o ur e r a. To t h e m we o we th e fac t o f th e di stu r banc e o f th e

o l d Sabae an c o l umn s an d t h e u t il i si ng o f t h e m to
, er ec t

mo sq u e s, many o f wh i ch ar e standi n g i n a fai r state o f pr e

se r vati o n n o w .
‘
We t r i e d to fin d th e si te o f th e o r acl e o f wh ich Pto l e my
spe ak s b u t c,
o ul d n o t c o me t o a sati sfac to r y spo t un ti l w e
v i si te d t h e mo u n t ai n s an d i n t h e Wad i N e h az
,
ab o ut n i ne ,

mil e s fr o m t h e c api tal j u st at th e fo o t o f t h e mo un tai n s w e

, ,

fo un d a cu r i o us n at u r a l h o le , ab o u t 1 50 fe e t de e p an d 5
0 fe e t
i n diame te r . A r o u n d th i s th e r e was a wal l of Sabae an or ig i n
c
w h i h h ad massi ve g ate po st, and i n t h e i mme di ate vi ci ni t y
a

w e r e tr ac e s o f man y r u i n s Fr o m se ve r al po i n ts I am i nc l i n e d
.

t o b e l i e ve t h at t h i s i s t h e si te o f th e o r ac l e me n ti o n e d b y
Pt o l e my I n t h e fir st plac
. e , t h i s h o l e r e se mb le s i n c h ar ac te r

t h e si te c h o se n fo r an o r acl e i n th e an c i e nt wo r ld, b e ar i n g a
r e mar kabl e r e se mb lan c e t o th e h o l e s w h i c h e xi ste d i n C i li c i a,
the o r ac l e s o f t h e C o r yc i an an d O lbi an Z e us, an d se ve r al o th e r
spo t s i n G r e e c e Se c o n dly, Y ako u t t e l l s us th at th e ab o de o f
.

t h e Adi t e s w as h al f a day s j o u r n e y fr o m Man sur a, th e te r m

’

Adi te s g e n e r al ly b e i n g g i ve n to th e adh e r e n ts o f th e anci e n t

cul t an d, t h i r dly, b e cau se t h e r e i s n o o th e r spo t o n th e plai n
of D h o far wh e r e o ne can say th e r e is a
pr o babil i ty o f an o r a cle
i i
e x st ng .

Y ak o n t fur th e r te l l s us th at twe n t y par asan g s fr o m Man sur a

was th e c l
h ar b o ur , fr e q ue nte d by t h e crafts
e x e l e nt on t h e way
to an d fr o m I ndi a, an d b
y t h e m e r c h an t s i n se ar ch of fr an k i n
“
ce nse . Th e Pe r i pl us al so al l ude s t o th i s h ar b o ur , a nd call s i t
Mo sch a , an d I b n K h al dun al so spe a ks of it as Me r bat . As
we j o ur ne ye d al o ng th e co ast we w e r e co nstan tly o n th e lo o k
o ut fo r th i s h ar b o ur , an d o n t h e se co n d day, afte r l e avi ng th e
i
r u ns o f th e capi tal, we r ea ch e d th e v i llag e o f Takh a i n , th e
v ici n i t
y o f wh i ch ar e tr a e s o f many
c r u i n s sc att e r e d ab o u t ,
bu t
 N O TE S A N D A D D EN D A 2 17

i nfe r i o r inc h i te ctur e to t h o se at Al B alad Ne xt mo r n i n g

ar .

w e w e r e c o n duc te d by th e n ati ve s ro u n d a h e adlan d; an d th e r e

saw a l o ng sh e e t o f wate r str e tc h i ng i n land but si lte d up at ,

t h e mo uth b y a san d be l t o ve r wh i c ,
h th e se a fl o w s at h i g h
t i de . Th i s same san d be l t no w s e par ate s fr o m th e sh o r e a
r o ck y i sl an d w i th tr ac e s o f fo r ti fic at i o n s o n i t Th e r e c an b e
.

n o do u bt b ut th at th i s i s th e h ar b o ur a n d t h e i sl an d r o c, k
g u a r de d t h e d o u b l e e n tr an c e to i t be fo re t h e i n vasi o n o f t h e

san d . Th e h ar b o ur i s de e p an d e xte nds i n l an d abo ut a mi l e

,

an d a h al f an d th e r e ar e man y r ui n s ar o u n d i t
,
He r e w e .

h ave th e po r tus n o bi l i s o f t h e Pe ri plus th e h ar b o ur t o wh i c

,
h
th e fr ank i n c e n se me r c h an t s c ame an d i t i s as Y ak o nt te ll s u s
, , ,

j ust twe n ty par asang s fr o m th e capi tal Th e t e r m Mo scha .

,

g i v e n t o i t b y t h e P e ri pl u s i s a c,
o m m o n t e r m g i ve n t o b ays

an d i n l e ts o n t h e Ar ab i an c o ast Me r bat th e name g i ve n i t

. ,

by Ar ab ian w r i te rs i s st ill re tai n e d i n th e h e adl and t we l ve

,

mil e s e ast wh e r e Ar ab dh o ws fin d a sh e l te r duri ng th e n o r th

,

e ast mo n so o n s bu t affo r di ng n o o th e r h ar b o ur ag e
,
an d ,

Pto le my s me fo r t h i s placi s A byssapo li s, a n ame w h i c h

’
na e

I co n si de r to be de r i ve d fr o m th e g r e at ab y ss w h i ch I h ave
l
a r eady de sc r i be d i i
as a fe w mil e s i n l an d an d wh ic h
e x s t ng ,

mu st h ave be e n a c o n spi cuo u s an d we ll kn o wn o bj e ct to al l -

me r c h an ts wh o fr e q ue nt e d th i s po r t .Pto l e my as i t w i ll b e
,

se e n fr o m h i s n ame
g i ve n t o t h e c ap i ta l g av,
e a G r e e k n am e

o r e q ui val e n t to th e pl ac e s o n t h i s c o ast an d i n n ami ng th i s

,

p l ac e h e e vi de n t l y c h o se t h e m o s t c o n s pic u o u s o bj e c t i n i ts

vi c i n i ty . Th us we w e r e abl e t o r e c o n str uc t o n fai r l y pr o bab le

l i n e s th e g e o g r aph ical fe at ur e s o f th i s fr ank i nc e n se di st r ic t an d ,

fix t h e po si ti o n o f i ts si t e s .
’
2 18 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R IX

NOT E 4 ,
0 p.
9.
1

i k e l Fa r wai n , das zwar

Sa ni ch t a usdr u c kl i ch al s B e rg we r k
b e ze i ch n e t i st , l i e g t ci r ca Tag D h ar ijj a & c
’
1 vo n , .

NOTE 4 1 , p. 92 .

Man Past an d Pr e se nt, p. 4 9 so. 5

’

NOT E 4 ,
2
p 93. .

I t was t h e n o te d ci t y o f Tar su s o n t h e r i ve r C ydn us, w h e r e

th e r e i s st i l l , I b e l i e ve ,
a pl ac e of th at n ame .

NO T E 43.p 93.

Man Past an d Pr e se n t , p 46 2 .
’
.

NO T E 44 , P 9 5 .

Se e my Eng l i sh i
e di t o n o f Recl u s, vo l . x. p 3
. 6 5
.

N O T E 4 5p , .
98 .

Th e ve r y me an s Coppe r : G r e e k K tivr po s L at C ypr us,

wo r d .

wh e n c e K e l t c o par o ld G e r man , C h u far A n l o S xo n,

.
p g a -

co par & c Th e fu l l L at i n e xpr e ssi o n fo r th e me tal i s a es

,
.

c m C b r ass, a n d as t h e Ph oe n i ci an s w o r k e d c o
’
yp r i u , yp r u s pp e r

i n Ki t t i m, an d t i n i n B r i tai n , t h e y h ad a mo n o po l y o f t h e al l o y
du r i n g a g r e at part of t h e B r o n ze Ag e .

NOT E 6
4 , p 99
. .

So ut h e r n Ar ab ia, p. 7 —
’
B e n t, 1 2.
 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

l
s o pe o f th e A a k ba] el Haj ar i n th e J e be l Akh dar r an
g e . B ut
th e se ar e as cri be d to th e Pe r sian s by C o l o n e l S B Mile s . .
,
in
th e G e o g r aph ical J o ur nal fo r N o ve mb e r 1 90 1 p 4 7 6
‘ ’
. .
,

NOT E 4 9, p . 11 3.

It i s appar e n t ly th e M ar el i aba ta of Pli ny, an d ce rtai n ly th e

M ar i aba o f Er ato sth e n e s . I t h as i n re ce n t ti me s be e n i i
v s te d

by Ar nau d, Hal evy , an d G lase r , an d t h e last me n ti o n e d t e l ls

-
us

t h at i t li e s fo ur days
ab o ut
’
j o ur ne y e ast of
San a, th e pr e se n t
c
api tal o f Y e me n . I n th e e ar l e r i Sabae an i n sc r i pt i o n s t h e
ci ty i s mo stl y call e d Mar yab ,
i n th e late r al r e ady Mar i b
( g
r ) : II . p. 2 0 .

NOTE 5p0, . 11 3.

Recl us, vo l . i x. p 43 . 1 of my Eng l i sh e di t o n .i

NOTE 5p1, . 1 1 4.

Th i s i s co mmo n e r r o r o f lo ng stan di n g Marib

a . was
n e ve r cal l e d Saba an d th i s w o r d was al ways appl ied t o
’
th e
‘
,

lan d an d i ts peo ple n o t to i ts capi tal ,

.

NOTE 5p2, . 1 1 4.

R. M. W . Swan, ‘
O n th e O r i e ntati o n an d Me asur e me n t of

th e Z i mbab we R ui n s, i n
’
R ui n e d Ci tie s ,
’
p . 1 46.

NOT E 5
3p , . 1 1
5.

Th e Fu ndame n tal Pr i n ci pl e s of O ld an d New Wo r ld

Civi l i sati o n s Cambri dg e Mass 1 90 1 Se e al so my Eng li sh
,
’
, , .

edi ti o n o f th e Aub i n To n alamat l a picto r ial Me xican C o de x ,

’

‘
i n th e Par i s B i b li o th eq ue Nati o nale L o n do n 1 90 1.
’
, ,

NOTE 5 4 , p. 1 1 7.

K r e me r , ‘
Akade mi e de r Wi sse n sch aft ,
’
V i e n na , 18
9,
0

q uo te d b y B e n t, R ui n e d Ci ti e s ,
’

p . 1
5
5 .
 N O TE S A N D A D DE N D A 22 1

C H A PTE R XI

NOTE 5
5p , . 1 1 9.

Q i clu a
assi s re g i s pe r mare cu m classe Hi r am i hat i n
T h ar si s & c
’
, .

NOTE 5 6, p. 1 2 2.

Man Past an d Pre se nt, p. 4 9

’

5 .

NOTE 5
7 p , . 1 2 2.

‘
Human O r ig i ns, p. 94 .
’

NOTE 5 8 , p. 12 3 .

‘
Mo r dtmann und Mull e r Sab ai sc
,
h e D e nkmale r ,
’
V i e n na ,

1 88 3 , wi th e igh t pl at e s (fac si mil e s ) .

N OTE 5
9 p , . 12 3 .

Op. c
i t., and nu me ro us a
p pe r s in i
var o us G e r man
peri o dical s Ho mmel Hal evy an d Sayce sh o ul d also be
. , ,

me nti o ne d as so u nd Se mi tic sch o lar s wh o h ave utili se d th e se

,

pe t r i fie d do cu me n t s i n di ve rse w ays
’
.

z NO TE 60, p. 1 24 .

Sayc e , Co n te mpo r ary R e vi e w Anci e nt

’
two pape r s

Ar abia,
’
an d R e sul ts o f O ri e ntal Ar c h aeo l o g y ; bo th ex e cll e n t ,

an d fo ll o we d h e r e .

NOTE 6 1 , p. 12 5 .

Op. c
i t., p. 90.

NOTE 6 2 , p. 1 2 6.

Maspe r o ,
Th e Dawn of C i vi li sat i o n,
’
th ird ed i ti o n , p .
 2 22 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

C H A PTE R X II

NOTE 6 3, p . 1 2 9.

‘
N o te s o n th e Lan g uag e s spo ke n in Madag ascar ,
J o ur .

Ant h r o p. vo l . xxv. p 4 7
. . Th i s wr i te r appe ar s t o cr e di t
th e Pe r i pl us to Ar r i an, w h ic h of co ur se i s i mpo ssi ble , b ut do e s
n o t o th e r w se i wea ke n t h e fo r ce o f his ar g u me n t .

NOTE 6 4, p. 1
3
0.

‘
Th e pr e se nt na me of Madag ascar se e ms to be due to a

mi stak e n licati o n o r e xte nsi o n o f th e te r m o r ig i nal ly at

app

tr i b u t e d b y Mar co P010 t o t h e c i ty o f Mag do sh u ( Mag ado xo )

o n t h e So mali c o ast Ne ve r th e le ss by a c ur i o us c o i n cide n ce
.
, ,

th i s appe ll at i o n be ar s a to l e r a b ly c l o se r e se mbl anc e to t h at o f

M a lag a sy th e co ll e c ti ve n ame o f th e i n h ab itan ts ; wh i le th e
,

Ho va r ul e r s o f th e i sland h ave u nde r fo r e ig n i n fl ue n ce ado pte d

M ad ag asc a r as i t s o f fici al de si g nati o n ( R e c l us vo l xiii p , . . .

4 2 0 o f m y E n g li sh e d i t i o n ) T h e i sl
. an d a n d i ts i n h ab i tan t s

we r e , h o we ve r , fir st k no w n to al l Po r tug u e se as B ug ua , fr o m
th e Malag asy buhi , mo ng o o se , b e cause’
so me Swah i li t r ade r s
spo ke of th e p p
e o e l as M tu w a B uh i -
ui , i .e. ‘
Me n of Mo n
g
—
o o se l an d .
’
I n th e sa me way t h e Swah ili call th e Sakalava s
of th e c o ast M a ha l a lao c o ck r o ach e s I suppo se
we st ,
‘
,
’
fr o m
th e abundan ce o f th i s pe st i n th o se parts unl e ss i t , be a

p p
o ular e tymo l o gy o f t h e w o r d Sa h a l a va i tse l f .

NOT E 6 5p, . 1 3 2.

Th e co nstr ucti o n o f al l th e Easte rn Bantu lan g uag e s i n

East Afr ica may be said to be th e same bu t tak e any o n e ,

and a fo r ti o r i an y o t h e r e l se w h e re i n A fr i c
o f th e se
[ a
] an d
co mpar e i t with Malag asy an d i t wi ll be fo un d th at th e y h ave
,

b u t l i ttl e o r n o th i ng i n c o mmo n Th e sum to tal o f th e i n

.
22 4 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

N OTE 68 , p. 1 39.

R e v. L . D ah le , An tan an ari vo An n ual , ’

186 . 8 1. S
7 , p e e

l
a so his ‘
Madag ascar ,
L an d og Fo l k ,
’
Par t I ., C h r i sti an ia ,
I 8 76 , p assi m.

NOTE 6 9, p. 1 4 2.

B ut t h e y o ccur l
a so i n th e e xtr e me so ut h e a st,
-
an d th e

t e r ms co ll e cte d by Flac o ur t o ve r t wo h un dr e d y e ar s ag o i n t h e

Fo r t Dauph i n di str ic t c o r r e spo n d mo n th fo r mo n th w i th o u r

t ab l e . T h us 1 Alah amady = Al ah amali 2 . Adao r o = Azo r o

3 . A d i za o za = A l i z o za , & c , & c A s t h e
. se A r ab i c w. o r d s h a ve

t h e i r pr o pe r me a ni ng amo n g st t h e pe o pl e o n t h e so uth e ast -

c o ast, wh i le th at i s no t th e case i n t h e i nte r i o r , I suppo se th e y

h ave be e n o rig i nal l y i n tr o du c e d th e r e by th e Ar ab i mmi
g r a n ts t o e th e r w i t h so me
g k n o w l e dg e o f ast r o l o
g y, f at al i s m ,

and di vi nat i o n . A s t h e i r de sc e n dan ts an d

pr o se lyte s w e n t up
to t h e i n te r i o r an d be g an to divulg e th e mo r e pr act i c
a l pa rt o f
t h e i r do c t r i n e th e y so o n fo un d th at t h e y c o u l d n o t t e ac
, h fo r ,

i n stanc e th e i r vi n ta n a syste m wi t h o u t g i vi n g th e pe o pl e so me
,

i dea o f l uc ky an d u n l ucky days B ut t h e c o mputat i o n o f .

th o se days was t o th e m so cl o se ly c o nn e c t e d wi th th e n ame s

o f t h e c o n ste ll ati o n s o f t h e Z o di ac th at t h e y fo u n d th e y c o ul d

n o t di spe n se wi t h t h e m An d as n o b o dy k n e w an yt h i ng abo ut
.

t h e star s i n th e i nte r i o r , t h e y th o ug h t i t mo r e e asy to k e e p th e

na me s, b ut to tr an sfe r t h e m to th e l unar mo n th s, i c
s n e th e
mo o n s appe ar an ce
’
c o ur se e ve r ybo dy h e r e k n e w and stil l
an d

k n o w s So i t was I th in k th at we h e r e g o t mo n th name s
.
, ,
-

w h ic h h ave n o me an i ng as suc h an d ca nn o t i n fac t h ave

, , ,

b e e n i ntr o du c e d h e r e i e i n th e i n l an d di st r ic ts
[ . .
] a t fi r s t h a n d

by th e Ar ab s t h e mse l ve s ( Dah l e l o c c it p I n o th e r
,
. . .

w o r ds th e an cien t Ar abs br o ug h t th e pr ac ti c
, e o f di vi n at i o n ,

t h e ar t o f tak i n g h o r o sc o pe s an d so o n w i t h th e c , o r re spo n di n g ,

astr o l o g i cal n o me n cl at ur e t o th e c o ast di s t r ic t s w h e n c

, e th e y ,

w e r e g r adually spr e ad o ve r th e w h o l e i sl an d Th e pr o ce ss .

must h ave be e n e xt r e me ly sl o w si n ce th e Mal ag asy h ave fo r ,

 N O TE S A N D A D D E N D A 22 5
be e n di vi de d i nto
ag e s nu me r o us h o sti le tr ibe s and . na ti o ns
Ho vas B e tsi misar akas
, , B e tsil e o s, Sakal avas, Antanalas, Anti fi
ne r e n anas, A n tambabo akas, Anti si h anakas, Anti mah i lakas, and
—
man y o th e rs wh o wo uld no t r eadily ado pt th e i nno vat i ng
pr actic e s o f th e ir nei g h bo urs e xc e pt u nde r c o mpu l s i o n . B u t
till q u i
te r c
e e n t l y te was no c o mpul sio n th e vario us sectio ns
h e r ,

o f t h e po pulat i o n havi ng mai ntai ne d th e i r tribal an d nat i o nal

i n de pe nde nce till th e ri se o f th e do mi nant Ho va pe o ple l e ss

th an two cen t uri e s ag o Many w e re ne ve r br o ug h t u nde r th e
.

Ho va rul e and so me ar e scar ce l y ye t subj ect to th e ne w

,

Fr e n c h admi n i strat i o n Th e Sabae o B abyl o nian astr o lo g y

. -

mu st th e r e fo r e date back th o usan ds o f years to allo w ti me fo r

i ts spr e ad o ve r th e wh o le i slan d wh i c h i s , sq u ar e mile s

i n e xte nt o r j u st abo u t twice th e size o f th e B riti sh I sl e s

, .

C H A PTE R X I I I
NOTE 7 ,
0 p . 1 48 .

Asad Abu Karib, -

o r , as G l ase r r eads th e na me fro m th e
later Sabae an i nscripti o ns Ab fikar i b As ad i s by th is
,
’

auth o rity i de n ti fied w i th t h e re no w n e d As ad e l Kamil o f th e

’

So uth Ar abian pr o Mo sl e m tradit io ns ( II p

-
It i s no t
. .

clear wh e th e r h e was r eal l y a Je w o r o n ly a J udai si ng Himyar

,

ite wh o fl o uri sh e d du r i ng th e seco n d part o f th e fo urth ce ntury

A D
. .Abo u t Dh u No was th e r e i s l e ss do ubt He was th e last .

i nde pe nde nt r ul e r o f Ye me n h avi ng be e n de fe ated and ki lle d

,

by t e Axu
h m i t e s a fte r a t r o ub l o us r e i g n o f te n ye ars ( 555
1 —

He was a g r e at persec uto r o f th e C hr i stians wh o had at th at ,

time many flo urish ing co mmun ities i n So uth Arabia and wh o se ,

appe al s to th e ir Axu mite c o re lig io n ists bro ug h t a bo ut th e

-

Ab yssi n i an i nvasi o n and co nq u est o f Y e me n Th i s as alr eady .

,

state d was fo ll o we d abo ut a h u ndre d yea rs afte rwards by th e

, ,

Mo slem Ar ab ir ruptio n and final subj e c ti o n o f th e Jo ktani de s

to th e I sh mael i te s B ut l o ng be fo re th is ti me th e r e we r e J ews
.

Q
2 26 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

i n So uth Ar abia, and St r abo te ll s us t h at me five h u ndre d

so

wh o had cco mpan i e d th e e xpe di ti o n

a o f Ae li us G al lu s, fo rme d

pe r mane n t se t t le me n ts i n t h e c o un t r y .

NOTE 7 1, p. 1 4 9.

It may, h o we ve r b e , po i
n te d o ut t h at Eu se bi u s, a Ch ri st ian
h i sto r i an o f t h e th r d i an d fo u r th c
ri e s ( 2 64 340 A D ) i s n o
e ntu — . .

a uth o r i ty at al l on t h e se co ntr o ve r si al matte r s Th e same .

re mar k app e s li e q ua ll y to E upo l e mo s an o bscu r e wr i te r o f

,

un k no w n or do ubtful date w h o m h e q uo te s i n h i s Pr ae par ati o

Evang e li c ( h f l d i i f h i r eati se , Par i s,
’
a se e t e o e t o n o t . s t

C e r tai nly i t i s i nte r e sti ng h e r e t o fin d me nti o n i slan d

o f an

Urphe, k
ta e n by G e se n i us fo r Oph i r , wh ic h may ve ry w e l l b e
t h e t r ue fo rm o f th e wo r d, s n e i c D avi d hi mse l f spe aks o f h i s
l d of O ph ir C h ro n in xxix. 4 . B ut C h r o n i cle s (t h e
‘ ’
g o 1 .

Par a l ipo me n a o f t h e Se ptuag i n t ) ar e muc h mo re r e c e n t t han

t h e t i me o f Davi d and we r e part l y wr i tte n at a t i me wh e n
,

t h i s e xpr e ssi o n h ad pe rh a ps al r eady be c o me pr o ve rbi al Cf .

1 Ch r o n i x 1 w h e r e th e B ab y l o n i an capt i vi t
. .
, y i s me n t i o n e d .

NOTE 7 ,
2 p. 1
5 1.

un c
c ti s fin i bus I sr ae l says th e Sam. xxi .
’
‘
In ,
V u lg ate ( 2

N OTE 7 3, p. 1
5 6.

Th e Ear l y I n h ab i tant s of Madag ascar ,

’
i n th e ‘
An tana
An n ual , 18 7 7 ,
’
nar i vo pp . 1 so.

N O T E 7 4, p. 1
5
7 .

R e fe rr i ng t o th e pu b l i a t oc i
n s of th e Malag asy Fo lk l o r e
So c i e ty, th e R e v . J . R i c h ar dso n stat e d so far bac k as 187 7

t h at
‘
we h ave a c i e n t n umber o f tal e s i n man uscr ipt to
suffi

e na bl e us t o c o n t i nue publi sh i ng fo r man y mo n th s t o co me .

To th e se h i sto rie s fabl e s so ng s r i ddl e s & c & c t h e r e

, , , , .
, .
,

se e ms no e nd w h il e e ac
,
h pr o vi n c e an d tr i be see ms to be
228 THE G OL D OF OPHIR

B ut th e k ite al so de cl i ni ng , lastly t o th e co me s
alo ng cryi ng r e o , r e o , r e o , as i s h i s wo nt

My pr e t ty r e o , c
o me n e ar I pr a y ,
Th y tai l I l l smo o th e fo r th e e
’

To fath e r
’
s w e l l I d ta
’
my ke w ay ,
Pl e ase , b i r di e , c
ar r
y me .

Th us last sh e back and is r e sto r e d h e r fath e r

’
at g e t s to s

l o ve ,
wh ile h e r w ick e d i e
s st r s ar e u nmas e d k and di so wne d
R i ch ar dso n, Antan . Annual , )
’
18 7 7, It i s
( R e v .
J .
p . 1 0 7 so.

t h e str ang e Eur o pe an fanc y o f t h e se s i mpl e tal e s t h at w i l l st r i k e

t h e o b se rve r B o th th e path o s and man y o f th e i n ci de n ts ar e

.

much th e same and i f th e i r i n spi r ati o n c

,
a me fr o m th e Aryan

wo r l d th en i t w ill be admi tte d th at th e mo st li k e l y me di u m o f

,

i nte rco mmunicatio n we r e t h e Ph oen ician seafar e rs wh o manne d

th e fl e e t s o f So l o mo n an d Hi r am an d h ad c o n stan t i nt e rco ur se
,

w i th th e mari t i me pe o pl e s o f th e Me di te rr an e an and I n di an
O ce an .

C H A PTE R X IV

NOTE 7 5p
, . 16 5 .

To co mpl e te t h i s subj e c t I h e r e q uo te wh at Sayce says o n

th e an ti q ui ty o f t h e Hi myar i ti csc r i pt I f D r G lase r i s rig h t .
,

so me o f th e Mi nae an i n sc r i pti o n s h e h as c o l l e c te d g o back to

th e ag e o f th e Hyk so s i n Eg ypt ; at an y rate h e an d Pr o f .

Ho mme l h ave made i t cl ea r th at th e k i ng do m o f Saba o r

Sh e ba was pr e c e de d b y th at o f Ma i n an d th at c o n se q ue ntly
’
,

t h e Mi naean o r Hi myar i ti cal ph abe t h as an o l de r h i sto r y th an

th e Ph oe n ici an I t wo ul d se e m to fo ll o w t h at Pro f Ho mme l

. .

i s ri g h t i n h o l di ng th at wh at Pro f D H M ull e r h as calle d th e

. . .

Pro to Ar abic al ph abe t i s th e so ur c e b o th o f t h e Hi myar i tic

-

and o f t h e Ph oe n ici an an d th at t h i s fac t w il l h ave t o be take n

,

i n to c o nsi de r ati o n i n al l futur e e nq u ir i e s i nto th e o r ig i n o f

 N O TE S A N D A D D E N D A 229

t h e al ph a e t . b I t wo ul d ce r tai nl y l i
e xp a n w h y i t i s th at th e
M i naean lph abe t po sse sse s wh at th e Ph oeni cian alph abe t
a

—
do e s n o t spe ci al c h ar ac te r s n o t de ri ve d fr o m any o th e rs fo r
, ,

de no ti ng c e r tai n so un ds wh i c
-

h be lo ng e d to pri mi t ive Se mi tic

p h o n o l o gy b u t h a d b e e n l o st i n t h e lan u
g ga e o f C a naa n I t .

will al so e xpl ai n th e name s o f many o f t h e Ph oe n ician l e tte rs

wh ich h ave h i th e rto be e n a myste ry I t i s o n l y i n th e
.

Minae an n o t i n th e Ph oen ician alph abet that th e fo rms o f

, ,

t h e l e tte rs Aleph B e th F e and o th e rs r e se mbl e th e o bj e c ts

, , ,

afte r wh ic h th e y h ave be e n r e spe c t i ve l y name d ox

h o use ,
”
an d mo uth No ve mbe r 8 ,

NOTE 7 6, p. 1 69.

Sc h lic h ter, ‘
G e o g r aph . J uly 189 3, p. 4 9 -

5
0. On
th si i mpo rtant po i n t th e wr i te r furth er re mark s : N o t far fr o m
th i s plac e at B e r ah h i sh i n t h e l o we r J auf di str ic t
,

r e G l as e r fo un d th e i n sc r ibe d r o c k o f o ur fr o n t i s iec
[ w h e p e
] h e

[ H al é vy
] di sc o ve r e d th e r ui n s o f an ancient te m l e whi c h
p ,

acc o r di ng to an i n sc r i ti o n i t b e ar s was de dicate d to

p , A tta r ,

an d to th e g o ds o f Me i n an d I tal to al l t h e g o ds o f c o u n tr ies
‘
,

an d n at i o n s to all th e g o ds o f th e se a an d th e lan d and o f

, ,

t h e o r i e n t an d o c c ide n t an d to th e k i ng s o f Me in
,
”
Th i s i s ‘
.

an ancie n t rui n and sur e ly th e pe o pl e wh o de dica te d a t e mpl e

,

to al l th e g o ds o f th e se a an d l and and to th e g o ds o f th e ,

di ffe re n t c o untr i e s and nati o ns must h ave h ad so me i nte r

,

co ur se by sea and lan d w i th fo r e ig n c o untr i e s (p O ur

’
.

r e ade r s w ill r e me mbe r th at t h e Mi nae an s we r e a g r eat nat i o n

w i th a l o ng l i st o f th i rty th r e e k i n g s wh o se name s h ave be e n

-

r e c o ve re d fro m t h e r o c k i n sc r i t i o n s and all o f wh o m r e i ne d

p , g
be fo r e th e Sabae an s ro se to po we r (se e C h apte r We h ave
al so se e n th at th e sc r i t fo u n d i n R h o de si a i s o f th e Mi naean
p
type an d all th e o th e r e vi de n ce as i t acc umu l ate s se e ms t o
,

bear o ut th e assumpt io n th at th e fir st se tt le r s i n th e au ri fer o us

l ands o f so uth east Africa we r e th e se Minae ans e l de r br an ch
-
,

o f t h e g r e at Hi myari tic famil y So me o f th e str uc ture s and

.

wo r k i ng s must th e r e fo r e be l o ng pr i o r to th e ti me o f So lo mo n ,
23
0 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

wh e n th e Sabaean s we r e l
a r e ady i n th e c
as e ndan t , an d Me ‘
in
h ad be e n e c li pse d by Mar ai aba w i th i ts B alki s,
‘
Q ue e n of

Sh e ba}

NOTE 7 7, p . 17 5.

Of co ur se I m awar e
a t h at th e fo u n dat i o ns o f t h e t r ue

sc ie n c e o f ast r o n o my we r e lai d i n B ab ylo nia, an d do ubtl e ss

al so i n So u th Ar abia, at a ve r y e ar l y pe r i o d .
‘
An cc ur ate a

syste m o f dat i ng was q ui te as i mpo r tan t t o th e me r ch ant o r

mo n e y le nde r
-
as a co de o f law s it is no t r
wo nde fu l, t h e e fo r r e ,

th at e ve r y e ffo r t was made to re

g u at e t hle cal e ndar , an d i n ve n t
a syst e m r i
o f e g ste ri ng ti me wh i h c sh o u ld be at on e a c cc ur ate
an d easy o f r e fe r e nce To B abylo n ia and i ts
. co mme rc i al
i nsti ncts w e may th us asc r i be th e ea r li e st pe r c e pti o n o f th e
val ue o f a c h r o n o lo g y ( Sayc e G e ne si s Te mpl e e d 1 90 1
’ ‘ ’
. ,
, ,

p . B u t fo r t h e b ul k o f t h e p p
e o l e t h i s c h r o n o l o gy l o ng

r e mai n e d an d i n so me
, p l a c e s ( M ad a g as c a r ) s t ill r e mai n s

p r i ma r il
y a s y s t e m o f d i vi n a t i o n li k e t h e A z
, t e c T o n a l ama t l s

w i th t h ei r (in ter ute r i ne ) ye ar o f 2 0 mo n t h s o f 1 3days e ach

-

Se e my Eng li sh e d o f th e Aubi n To nalamat l

’
2 60 days
‘
. . ,

Lo ndo n, 1 90 1 .

NOT E 7 8 , p. 1 7 7.

A l t h o ug h th i s su b e j ct o f s ave l labo ur h as l
a r e ady be e n
de al t w i t h , I may h e r e call atte nti o n t o mar k, i n
’
B e nt s re

r e fe r e n c e to t h e cru sh i n c i E t and R h o de sia, th at

g pr o e ss n g yp
‘
in an y l d pr o duci ng q uar te r o f Mash o nalan d ne ar o ld
g o -
,

sh aft s an d b y th e si de o f str e ams i n n u me r ab l e c r ush i n s to n e s

g ,

ar e sti l l to be se e n use d anci e n tl y fo r a l i k e purpo se

,
In .

se ve r al
p l ac e s t h e r e a r e l o ng r o w s o f t h e se c r u sh i n g sto ne s ,

si xty o r se ve n ty i n a r o w wh ic h wo ul d se e m t o i ndic ate t h at

,

t h e slave s e mpl o ye d i n t h i s labo u r wo r ke d i n r o ws c h ai n e d

t o g e th e r .D i o do r us te ll s us o f th e g ang s o f slave s e mpl o ye d
i n th i s ar duo us l abo ur by th e anc i e nt Eg yptians an d o f t h e ,

l o ng dark sh afts i n to wh ich th e y de sc e nde d I n th e Mazo e .

di str i c t we ente r e d se ve r al o f th e se anci e nt sh afts and i t i s ,

 IN D EX

Abase ni , se e Ah b ash é n Apo lo g o s, th e Assyr i an U b ul a , 4 7

Abhi r a , w r o ng l y e q uat e d w i th Apy r o n g o ld, 44
Ar vpo s , a po pular G r e e k e tymo l o g y ,
‘
O ph i r s
means co w he r ds , ’
no t g o l d 44 ; N o te 22

w i n ne r s , 46 , 4 7 Ar abi a , aur i fe r o us , o n fli c
c ti ng
Pl i ny
’
s, 5 1 i
v e w s, 4 2 , 43
Ab u Jafar e l- Mansur ,
c
l o se s th e B i b li cal , e xt e nt o f, 10 5 ,

Tr aj an
’
Canal , 9
s 5 106

Aby s sa Po li s , 7 8 the na me a bse nt fr o m th e

Aby ss i ni a n Hi my ar i tes ,
8, 9 ro ck i n scr i pti o ns , 106

t h e i r sc
r i pt , 16 5 Ar abi a E uda e mo n, i de n t i fi ed w i th
Aby ss o po l i s , 7 I A de n , 8 5
Aca xumo , 7 Ar abi a F e li x, th e Asi ati cPun t , 33
Ade n, th e E udae mo n o f th e Pe r i Ar a bi a n spi c e me r c h ants , t h e i r
-

P l us » 7
,

31 8 5 de a l i ng s w i th So lo mo n , 8 1
Adi te s , cav e dw e ll e r s, 7 3
-
Ar abi cte r ms fo r g o l d, 28 N o te
Adr ami tae o f Pto l e my , 7 6 131 I 9

Ae li us G a ll us , h i s e xpe di ti o n to Ar abs do mi nant i n th e Indi an

Ar ab i a Fe li x, 188 Oc ean, 190, 191

Afr i ca , D r . Pe te r s O ph i r , 6
’
5 Ar amae ans , mai n di vi si o ns and
Ag ath ar khi des , o n th e Eg ypti an
‘

spe e c
h, 108

g o l d mi ne s , 3 , 3 6 5 Asad Ab u Kar i b, J ew i sh Ki ng o f
-

Ag y sy mba , Pto l e my s , 7 N o te 6
’
Y
e me n , 148 ; N o te 70

Ah ba s h an , o f th e r o c k i nscr i pti o ns, Assh ur i te s ( Assy r i ans ) , th e i r r ang e

no t Ab yssi ni an s b ut th e Abase n i and spe e c h , 108
o f th e classi cw r i te r s , 124 Aub i n T o nalamatl , Eng l i sh e di
Abi r , se e Ab h i r a ti o n o f, N o te 53
Almns si m.48 Avali tes ,S i n us 51

Ama- T o n g as , 2 7 N o te 2 Axu m, Ax uma, 7

Amr u, r e sto r e s Tr aj an s Canal , 9
’
5 Axumi te E mpi r e , 8
Ape , He b r e w , I n di an , an d Eg yp Co nq ue st o f Sabaou, 1 13

t i an n ame s o f, 4 5 N o te 70
234 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

B ai ne s , T IL , 1 1 N o te 7 Canaani te s , the i r mai n di vi si o ns

Ba lki s , B i lki s , se e Q ue e n o f Sh e ba and s e e
p c
h , 108 —9

B antus, l ate ar r i va ls i n So uth C anaani ti sh r e li g i o us o b se r

A fr i c
a, 28 c i n Madag ascar
van e s , 1 5
1 sq .

th e i r mi g r ati o n s to R h o de si a, C att i g ar a S i ng apo r e , 62

I 79 Ch e c k R ui ns , 1 9
o r i gi n o me , 1 7 9
f th e na Ch i co na s i lv e r mi ne s , 24

l ang uag e s fundame n tal ly di s C hr y s e , Pto l e my s G o l de n Ch e r

’

ti nct fr o m Mal aga sy , 132 so n e se , 63

N o te 6 5 C h um R ui ns , 20
c me nts Co c kr o ac me
’
th e i r o nst i tue n t e le ,
h e s, a na of th e

18 0 Sak alav as , N o t e 64
B ar b o sa , D. o n th e B e n o mo tapa , 2 C o mo r i Pr o mo n . Cape Co mo
Pe r i plus , 6 1 r i n, 6 3
’
B ar y g az a of th e
G ul f o f G ul f o f Camb ay , C o ppe r M i ne s , Cypr us, 98
61 de r i vati o n of the wo r d,
B de l li um o f Havil ah , 2 7 N o te 4 5
Be c h uanas , 28 C r o o k e , W ., o n th e Abh i r as , 46
B e mbat o k a B ay , M adag ascar , 1 60, Cuama R i ver , th e Z ambe si , 3
16 1 C us h o f G e n e s i s, 32
B e no mo tapa , th e , 2 Cy pr us , i ts co ppe r mi n e s, 98
me ani ng o f, 9 me an i ng o fth e w o r d , N o te 4 5
B e nt , T h eo do r e , h i s R ui ne d th e K i t ti m o ft h e Ph oe ni c
i an s ,

Ci t i e s , 1 1
’
N o te 4 5
h i s th e o r y of th e date of

Z i mb abye , 12

his sur ve y o f D h o f
ar , —
7 72
0 D ar i us , h i s c
a n al fr o m N i le to
N o te 39 Ar si no e , 94
h is var i o us mo no g r a ph s on D avi d, hi s g o l d
‘
of O ph i r ,
’
103,

D h o far , N o te s 33, 39 [ 20

B e ts i b o k a Ri v e r , Madag asc
ar , 1 60 his e xpe di ti o n to U r ph e , 149
B o r o di str i ct, 4 fr i e nd b ut no t al l y o f Hi r am ,

B ubas t e s , 94 5
1 0

B uq ua , th e Mo n g o o se , Sw ah i l i co nq ue r s Edo m , 1 54
1
na me o f Madag asc ar , N o t e 64 De B ar r o s , hi s Ki ng ?
B ur t o n, o n t h e Mi di an l d So fal a , ’
g o 1 sq .
mme s , 37 h i s Symb ao e , 6
on O ph i r , 40, 4 1 h i s Acaxumo , 7
‘

B utua , k i n g do m o f, 5 his Mo no mo ta pa ,

B y b lo s , 11 5, 1 16 D h l o D h l o r ui ns , 14
-

“ f ar t h e
, fr anki n ce

71
Canaan, c by Se t
'
r e du e d e n ti fie d w i th t
o f E gy pt , 96 l o u nt Se ph . '
236 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

G o lde n Ch e r s o ne s e , 5 2, 62, Hazar mave th , Pto l e my ’

s .
Ad r a
63 mi tae , 7 6
th e Hi ndu Suvamabh umi , ’
i ts ld fr ank i n c
o e nse t r ade , 7 6

62 i ts se apo r t Kan e , 7 6
the Malay Pe ni nsula 62 ,
i ts e xt e nsi ve r ui ns, 77
i t s g o l d i ndustr y , 62 me an i ng and anti
q ui ty o f th e

G o th ami tes i n Madag asc ar , N o te n ame , 9 9

74 se e al so Kane , Mo k alla ,

Sh i bah m, Sabbat ha , an d

N akb e l Haj ar -

Hi nty ar i te s
,
Ab y ss i n i an , 9

Hadh r amo ut, se e Hazar mave th So uth Ar ab i an , 9

Hak k ili o f Pliny Fr e sne l s Eh k i li ,
’
,
de sc
e ndants of J o k tan , 72
78 th e Ho me r i tae o f th e G r e e ks,
st il l sur vi ve i n D h o far , 7 8 72
Hal l ,
R . N ., and N e al , . G ., W do mi nant i n Y e me n , 7 2
the i r e xplo ra ti o ns i n Rh o co l le c
t i ve na me o f al l th e
de si a , 1 6 sq . So uth A rab i ans , 7 2
th e i r classi fi c
ati o n of th e th e i r ma i n di v i si o n s, 7 3
re mai ns , 17 t h e i r e po nymo us h e r o , Hi m

Hany ani Ri v e r 3 , a
y ,r 72
Har t H. C . o n
, , th e pe aco ck th e i r mo nume nts c
o mpar e d

q ue s t i o n ,
’
80 w i th th o se of R h o de s i a ,
c
o nfuse s Th ar sh i sh w i th 11 3, 1 14

O ph i r , 80 th e i r ro ck i nscr i pti o ns , 1 18

Hatsh e psu Quee n , ,

he r e xpe di ti o n qs N o
. t e 7 5
Pun t , 3
to 0, 3 2, 34 e a r ly nav i g ato r s, 12 5 5 , 14 ,

Havi lah , t h e g o ld land, 2, 98 I 47

G l ase r
’
s, 4 3sq . in Madag ascar , 1 27 sq .

B ur t o n 40
’
s, th e i r di sappea r an e c fr o m
same as Hak i lah , 48 h i st o r y , 190

t h e K ush i te , 1 5 Hi my ar i ti cw ri ti ng sy s te m, 16 1

on th e Si n us A vali te s, 5 1 sq . N o te 7 5
i n Indi a, 5 1 tr ac
es o f, i n R h o desi a , 162 ,

any w h e r e fr o m Afr i c
a to 16 3
I ndi a, 5 1 Hi r am , Ki ng o f Ty r e , se e Ph oeni
i ts t r ue r e l ati o n to O phi r , c
i ans
7 9 80, 10 1
-
Hi sn e l - G h ur ab , se e N ak b el

th e an ci e n t Rh o de si a, 98 , Haj ar
100, 192, 19 3 Ho ldi c
h , Si r T ., on th e Ar abs i n
th e no n aur i fe r o us i n
-
Ar a b i a, th e I ndi an O ce an , 191

99, 10 1 th e o ld I ndi an o ld
on g
Haz ar mave th Hadh r amo ut , 76 k
w o r i ng s , N o t e 31

99 Ho mer i tae ,
se e Hi myar i te s
 IN D E X 37
2

Ho tte nt o ts ,
th e t r ue abo r i g i ne s J eh o sh aphat, Ki ng of J udah ,

of R h o desi a, 28, 29; b ui l ds sh i ps at Ezi o n g e b e r , 96 ,

-

N o te 14 97
th e i r Se mi ti cwo r d fo r g o l d, Je mi ma , G lase r s Havi lah 48
’
,

28 ; N o te 13 J e w i s h r e li g i o us Obser vance s i n
th e i r spe e ch o mpar e d
c w i th M adag asc ar , 1 52

Eg ypti an , 33 : 34 J ew s se e I sr ae li te s
,

k i d K h t i d 2 75
J o t a n e s a an es 7 , , ,

10 5
A r abs o f th e
Ar abs, 7 2 ’

l lli be r i s = N e w t o w n , 93
’

di sti nc
t fr o m th e I sh mae li te s ,
Indi a Oph i r , ph i lo lo g i c al ar g u
10 5
me n ts, 4, 55
5 th e i r mai n di vi si o ns, 108
ab se n ce o f mo nume nts c on

ne c te d w i th mi ni ng , 6 5
had l i tt l e g o l d e xpo r t tr ade ,
5
7 Kafir , meani ng and pr ese nt use o f
i ts d
01 mi ne s wo r k e d by th e
th e te r m, N o te 4
nati v es th e mse l ve s fo r th e
Kah ta ni de s , th e Hi myar i te s 7 2
lo cal de mand,
,
no t fo r ex
sti l l sur vi ve i n Dh o far , 7 2
po r t , N o te 31 se e also Jo k t ani de s
Iny ang a g o ldfie lds and r ui ns, 23
Kane , se apo r t o f Hadh r amo ut 7 6
Ish mae li te s and Jo k ta ni de s , 10 5 77
, ,

t h e i r mai n di vi si o ns, 106

Kasti r a z tin ( Sans.) a l o an w o r d
I sph o r , pr e se nt l o c al name of
fr o m th e G r e e k , 64
D h o far , 69
Kh aull n, B ur t o n
’
s Havi lah 40,
fi
i de nti e d wi th Mo unt Se phar
,

and M od”, 69
5 1

i s th e fr ank i nc e nse land o f

Kh aulo tae , Str abo s, 1
’
5
Kh fir e l B e li d, th e si l ted har bo ur
-

Mah r a, 69
o f Mo se h a, 7 8 , 79
Is r ae li te s , fi r st me nti o ne d by name
i n an Egyptian do c ume nt
i ts r ui ns ide nt i fi ed by Fr esn e l
Mo sc
,
w i th ha 7 9 ,
96
Ki te ve , 4
in Madag asc
ar , 148 sq . , 1 5 1
K i tt im Cy pr us , N o te 4 5
sq .
Ko pto s , 22
i n Ar abi a, 148

th e i r li mi te d so o ur nj in
R h o d e si a , 1 88

I vo r y , He b r e w , E g ypti an, and

I ndi an na me s o f, 5 4 ; N o te 26
La m h i s I ndi an O ph i r , 4 5
ph i l o l o g i c
a l ar g ume nts , 5
4 ,

5
5
J avan Io ni an G r e e k s 92
: , , 93 Last, J T .,.h i s i de nti c
ati o n o f fi
J e be l e l Mar u mi nes 3
-
, Me nuth i as w i th Madag asc ar , 1 29
238 THE OF OPHI R

L e ps ms R th e E gy ptian an d Malag asy Se mi ti c

me nt s
'

on ,
i ts e le

Ho tte nto t l ang uag e s, 33; N o te mo stly Hi myar i ti c, n o t

16 l ate r ( Ko r ani c) A r ab i c,

h te n ste i n o n th e Ho tte nto t

Li c I 37 . 138. 14 1
abo r ig i ne s o f So uth Afr i ca, 28 na me s o f i ts k
w e e days , c
om

L o ur e n cM ar q ue s , 3
o pa r ati v e tab l e , 1 37
i ts mo n th a
na me s th o se o f th e

Sabae o B aby l o ni an z o di ac;

-

co mpar ati ve tabl e , 139

Madag asc
ar ,
th e Me nuth i as o f th e i ts as t r o l o g y of Hi myar i ti c
Pe r i pl us, o r i g i n,
’
12 7 9 140

wh y so l i tt l e k no w n to th e c
al e nd r i c syst e m usag e s , ,

classi cw r i te r s, 120, 12 1 &c ., sat ur ate d w i t h Se mi

i ts mi xe d O c e an i c an d ti ci sm 14 2 ,

N e g r o i d i n h abi tan ts, name s of th e days f th e

3
1 0 o

i ts unmi xe d Oce ani c l an mo n th de r i v e d fr o m Se mi

u
g g ,
a e 1 0 3 ti c astr o no mi c n o me nc la
th e name due to a mi stake , t ur e , 14 3

3
1 0 ; N o t e 64 i ts di vi nati o n pr o c
e sse s

fi rs t k no w n to th e Po r tu l ar g e l y Se mi ti c,
144

g ue se as B uq ua , N o te i ts r e li i
g o us o bse r v an e s c
64 l ar g e ly J e w i sh , 1 5 1 sq .

Mag an of th e Cune i fo r m do c
u fo l k lo r e , Eur o pe an anal o g i e s ,
me nts , i de nti fi e d w i th Si nai , 12 5 ,
1 5
N o te 7 4
7 q s .

126 G o t h ami te s , N o te 7 4
Mah r a ,
th e Fr an k i nc
e nse Land , N ur se r y R hyme s , N o t e 74
D h o far , 69, 7 8 Mal ay lang uag e , i ts r e la ti o ns to
Maj o v a R i ve r , 3 Malag asy , 131, 1 2 3
Maka lakas 28 ,
M al ay o Po ly ne si an,
-
se e Oce ani c

Malag asy n ati ve s ,

o f Madag ascar , Mambo r ui n s 15 ,

3
1 0 sq . Mani ca mi ne s , 2 4 ,

th e i r m i t i veri Oc
e an i c h o w w o r k e d by th e na t i v e s , 4
p
spe e c
h , 1 31 sq . Mante i o n Ar te mi do s 7 1 ,

i ts r e l ati o ns to Malay , 1 3
1, Mar i b i ts Sabae an mo n u me nts
,

3
1 2 co mpar e d w i th t h o se of

i ts r e l ati o ns t o Malayo Po ly -
Rh o de si a, 7 1 , 1 13sq .
ne si an , 1 33 , 1 34 i ts R o yal Lak e , bu r s ti ng o f,
i ts nu me r al s, c
o mpa r ati ve 11 3
tab l e , 1 34 var i ants o fth e w o r d , N o t e 49
i ts c
st r utur e , pr e fi xe s, i n Mas h o naland i ts r ui ns ,
,
1 1, 2 3
fixe s, 1 3513 6 , Mass i Ke sse , N o te 3
i ts ar c h ai c c h ar ac te r sh o wn Matuc as 2 8 ,

b y t h e abse n c e o f Sans Mauc h Car l ,

,
11 N o te 7
k r i t e l e me nts 131, 136 , Mé luk h a 48 ,
240 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

20 Oph i r , tr ue si te i n th e Sakh al i ti c
c
o mpar e d w i th th e Zi mba fr an k i nce nse l and, D h o far

b ye s , 60 near Mo un t Se phar , fi r st

N ur se r y R h y me s i n Madag asc
ar , sug g e st e d b y R i t te r , 69
th e czm tas exzmza Am.
'
’
of
' '

N o te 74
N uttall , Z e lia , on th e Sabae an Mar ce l ., 69
star wo r sh i ppe r s, 1 1 5 th e Sapph ar Me tr o po l is of

Pto l e my , 7 8
i ts asso c i at i o n w i th Havi lah
Onug w a Ri ve r , 3 i n G e n . 11. e xpl ai ne d , 7 9
Oce ani cli n g ui s ti cfami ly , 3
1 0 sq . no t an aur i fe r o us land, b ut
i ts r e lati o ns to Mal ag asy , i mpo r te r and di str i b uto r
132 sq . o f g o l d, 79 , 8 0

i ts pe r si ste nc
e, 1 35 N o te 66 a Sab ae an ma r t , 8 2
Oc
e ani cna vi g ato r s, no t do mi nan t i ts th r e e po ssi b le r i vals , 83
i n th e Indi an Oc e an , 14 , 146 5 Ophi r a, th e tw e l ve , o f Sc r i ptur e ,

Oman , i ts mo nume n ts asc r i b e d to 8 7 sq ., 102

th e Pe r si ans, N o te 48 Opo ne of th e Pe ri pl us, 34

’

Ommana o f th e Per i plus, 4 7 ‘ ’

Oph i r , e mpo r i um o f th e Hi m
yar i t es , 2 Par vai m, th e g o ld o f, 91
Fo r t , 1, 6 i de nti fi ed by G las e r w i th th e
th e o r i e s abo ut, 1 3 Sfik e l - Fa r w ai n , 91
i de n t i fi ed by Pe t e r s w i th oc
Pe ac k, He b r e w a nd Indi an
Pun t , 3 0 sq . na mes o f, 5 5
4.5
Mo un t, the G uno ng Le da ng -
pe r h aps o nl y a
g u i n ea fo w l ,
of Mo ar , 62 5
5
Mo unt , th e G uno ng Pasa Pe r i plus M ar i s E r y th r ae i , 3
4
’

man o f Sumatr a, 62 N o te 17

sai d to mean ‘
r ed
’
or Pe ter s , Car l, h i s e xpl o r a ti o ns in
r ic
’
5
h e s, 6 , 66 N o te 31 Rh o de si a , 23

r e al meani ng me tr o po li s , hi s Egy pti an an d Pun t

86 , 8 7 th e o r i e s , 30 sq .

c
o nfuse d by th e Al e xan dr i an h i s Egy pti an stat ue tte , 31, 32

G r e e ks wi th Mo unt Se Pe tr i e , Pr o fesso r F L, o n Pe te r s ’

ph ar , 3 ; N5 o t e 2 5 Egy pti an statue t te , 31

by th e Ar ab t r ansl ato r s o f Ph ar ao ni cC anals , be tw e e n N i l e
th e B i b l e i de nti e d wi th fi andR e d Se a, 94, 96
I ndi a , 5
3 li ttl e use d by J e ws and Ph e
th e I ndi an ,53q s . ni c
ian s 96 , 97
,

i ts var i ants : So phi t , Se ph ar , t ni c

i ans , i n Rh o d e sia , 3 3
0, 1,

So ph i r a &c
., 5
354 , 189

in So uth Ar abi a, auth o r i ti e s , i n Sar di nia , 555 9 ,

68 th e i r tr a ffici ti 55
n n,
 IN DE X

t ni c
i ans, th e i r se ttle me nts i n Qui te v e , 4
Egypt, 9 , 96 5
th e i r al li ance wi th Isr ae l , 97

th e i r c r adle o n th e Pe r si an

G ul f, 1 19 R amse s I I sai d to h ave r e sto r e d

mi g r ati o n to
. th e Me di te r th e Sue z Can al , 94
R e n de r s ; Adam, c
i

1 16 t e - di s o ve r e r of
‘

r a ne an ,

l ate r r e tur n to th e Indi an Z i mba bye , 1 1 N o te 7

Oc Hi r am i n
unde r Rh o de si a, i ts g o ldfie lds an d r ui ns,
‘

e an

e w i th So lo mo n 1 19
al l i anc , 1 1 sq .

th e i r r e li i
g o us o b se r van e s i n c Hall and Ne al
’
s e xpl o r a ti o ns

Madag asca r , 1 5
5 sq . i n, 16 sq .

th e i r l i mi te d j
so o ur n in Be nt
’
s , 1 1 sq .

R h o desi a, 18 8 , 18 9 Pe t e r s ’
, 2 3
Pi s o n Ri ve r , G lase r ’
s i de n ti fic
a h li c
Sc h te r
’
s, 169

ti o n o f,
43, 48 , 0 5 Wh i te s ’
, 14

th e Fai sh an o f th e ro ck i ts si l ve r mi nes and g e ms ,

i nsc
r i ti o n s ,
p 5 0 244 7
Po r tug ues e , b ui ld Fo r t Oph i r at fi r st
p p
e o l e d by th e B ush
So fal a, I man Ho tte n to ts , 28
-

‘
di sco ve r
’
Mo unt O ph i r in i ts o ld mi ne s w o r k e d by
Mal aysi a , 62 slave labo ur , 58; N o te
v i si t th e R h o de si an si l ve r 78
mi n e s , 24 26 po sse sse d ne ar l al l
y t he w ar e s
re -0 n th e o ld R h o de s i a n sup l i e d t o So l o mo n a nd
pe p
g o ld w o r k i ng s , 18 5 Hi r am , 102

th e i r fo r ts and b ui l di ng s i n i ts mo nume nts classe d in

Mani c
a and Inyang a , 18 5 pe r i o ds and type s , 17

P o r tus No bi li s o f Ar t i an 16 6 8 -

M o sch a, 8 2 r an
ge o f th e mo nume n ts o f
Punt, sacr e d l and o f th e Egy ptians, fi r st and c
se o nd pe r i o ds,

22 , 33 1 70

A si a ti can d Afr i c
an , 22, 33 ag e o f, de te r mi ne d ast r o no

Pe te r s th e o r y
’
o f, 30 sq . mi c
ally , 17 1 -
3
Q ue e n Hatsh e psu s ’
e xpe di o ld bur i al g r o unds i n,
t i o n to , 3 3 0, 2 I 77

i de nt i fi ed w i th O ph i r , 3 33
2, h uman re mai ns fo und i n ,
1 7 7 .I 7 S

pr e se nt Bantu po pulati o ns,

Q ue e n o f Sh e ba, 1 12 1 7 8-
81
c
ame by land, no t fr o m be o ld
g o l d mi ne s no t w o r k e d

y d
o n th e se as, t o Je r usa c o nti nuo usl , 18 1 86
y
-

l e m, 1 12 st r u ctur e s o f th e Mo n o
her ca i ta l
p Mar ai aba , 11 3 mo tapa pe r i o d, 18 6

R
242 THE G OL D OF OPHI R

R i tte r , Car l , hi s O ph i r , 68 sq . e , Rev. A. H.,

Say c on G e ne si s
de te r mi ne s i ts si te i n Mah ra a g g p
e o r a h i a l c no t an

land, 69; N o te 32 e th no l o g i c
al do cume nt ,

Roc
k Inscri pti o ns , Hi myar i ti c, 49» ° 5
120 sq . o n th e So uth Ar abi an ro ck
g r eat ag e o f, 12 1, 124 i nscr i ti o ns, 124, 12
p 5
c
s r i pt o l de r th an Ph c
e ni c
ian, on Babyl o nian astr o no my ,
12 1 No te 7 7
re c o r ds of Sabaean and Sc
h li c
h ter , H., on th e Zi mbabye
Mi naean dynasti e s 1 22 4 ,
- Zo di ac , 1 70 -
3
t h e i r numbe r and finde r s , on th e Mi naean r ui ns , 169

N o te 7 0 N o te 7 6
R ueny a Ri ve r , 3 o n th e l o ng sus e nsi o n
p o f
R ui a Ri ve r , 3 mi ni ng o pe r ati o ns i n R h o
de si a, 18 5
S e lo us, F . C on th e c
o nti nui ty

Saba, no t th e name o f a c
i ty but o f o f th e o ld R h o de si an g o ld w o r k -

a stat e , 11 3; N o te 5
1 i ng s, 18 2—4

se e Sh e ba S e mi te s , th e i r c
r adle -
land and

S abaeans , 9 g g p
e o r a hc do mai n , 106
i al
y o ung e r b ranc
h of th e Hi m mean i ng o f th e te r m, 107
yar i t e s, 73 tab l e of th e i r di vi si o ns,
th e i r e mpi r e r e c
o r ded i n th e 108

ro ck i nsc
r i ti o ns,
p 1 22—3 o r i g i n al ly te n t dw e l l e r s, 109
-

c
o n ue r e d b
q y th e Axumi te s , th e i r spe e c
h, c
h ar acte r s o f,

11 3 I O9

Sabbath a, th e pr ese n t Sh abw a, th e i r st ar and ph al l us w o r

77 sh i p, 1 16 , 1 1 7

Sabi Ri ve r , R h o de sia , as so c
i ate d Se ph ar , M t., co nfuse d by th e
by so me w i th Sh e ba , 2 Se ptuag i nt w i t h O ph i r , 3 5
S t. Mar ti n , V . de , on th e G o lde n r e mo ve d by th e Ara b
Ch e r so ne se , 62 w r i te r s t o I ndi a, 5
3
Sak a lavas , w hy c
alle d c
ock r e sto r e d by R i t te r to So uth
roa c
h e s by th e Sw ahi l i , N o te 64 Ar abi a ( Dh o far ) , 69
Salt cl F ar w ain , 91
-
se e al so D h o far

Sakh ali ti c fr ank i nc e ns e di str i ct var i ants o f t h e na me , 8 5

o f th e Pe r i plus, 7 7
’
i de nti fi ed by G lase r w i th

po s i ti o n de te r mi ne d, 7 7 , 7 8 Mash Mesha Masha

, , , and

Sapph ar Me tr o po li s , o ur O ph i r , th eSh ammar , 8

J e be l 5
7 8 Se ptuag i nt, c o nfuse s O ph i r and

Earr odpa, i de n ti fi ed
by Ri t te r w i th Se ph ar , 3; N o te 2 5 5
Mt . Se ph ar an d Dh o f
ar ,
q .2
1 . 6
9 r e nde r s Th ar sh i sh Ca r t ha
Say c
e , Re v. A. H. ,
on Cush and g i n i an s and me r c
h an t
Punt , 32 v e sse ls,
’
N o te 38