An Archaeological Journey to Yemen
(March-May, 1947) [with] Part II: Epigraphical Texts [and] Part III: Plates (1951) Cairo Government Press 1952-1951
First edition, three volumes, 4to, pp.xv, 188; xii, 95; x, 92 plates. Service des Antiquites dl l'Egypte. Limited to 500 copies. A very good set in later cloth with original wrappers bound in. Slightly rubbed extremities, original wrappers lightly soiled.
One of the earliest professional archaeological accounts of the ancient settlements of Marib and El Gof in Yemen, and the second ever work to publish photographs of these important historical sites. One chapter describes all previous scientific journeys to Marib, to establish the new ground made in this work. Ahmed Fakhry (1905-1973) was an Egyptian archaeologist who broke new ground in Arabian and Egyptian archaeology. He is known for his excavation and study of the 'Bent Pyramid' at Dahshur. Gonzague Ryckmans (1887-1969) was a Belgian linguist who pioneered the documenting and deciphering of pre-Islamic languages from the Arabian Peninsula.