RED LIST OF

CULTURALOBJECTS AT RISKYEMENThe cultural heritage of Yemen is protected by national and international laws
The cultural heritage of Yemen is protected by national legislation. Article 29 in the Chapter 6 of the law on antiquities N. 21/1994 forbids thecommerce or the free disposal of movable archaeological objects. According to the article 33 and 34 of the same section, it is forbidden to export
movable archaeological objects–unless a temporary permission is given by the authorities. Yemeni authorities will ask for the retrieval and therepatriation of illegally exported objects.
Yemen has also ratified the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict as well as the 2000
United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Law on Antiquities N. 21/1994
Modified by law N. 8/1997
Chapter six, Article 29
It is forbidden to engage in the commerce of movable archeological objects or to freely disposeof national cultural heritage objects–whether or not they are registered by the Organization–or to transfer
their property in violation of the dispositions of this law.

Chapter six, Article 33
It is forbidden to export archeological objects, and notwithstanding this it is permitted–by decision of thePresident of the Organization–to authorize the exportation of archeological, cultural or natural samples forthe purpose of being able to examine them and–by decision of the Minister–to export archeological and culturalmaterials for the purpose of maintaining and restoring them, or to lend them temporarily [...].
Note: English translation of the law N.8/1997 taken from the “UNESCO Database of National Cultural Heritage Laws”

For the complete list of Yemeni national legislation for the protection of cultural heritage and the listof conventions ratified by Yemen, visit the website of the International Observatory on Illicit Trafficin Cultural Goods or scan the QR code.
http://obs-traffic.museum/national-data/yemen				RED LIST

OF CULTURAL OBJECTS AT RISK - YEMEN

Why a Red List for Yemen?

Protecting cultural heritage

Armed conflict in Yemen has brought instability tothe country and has caused damage and destruction
to its cultural heritage. Numerous sites and museums
have been affected by the fighting and archaeologicalobjects have been reported stolen or illegallyexcavated. The cultural heritage of Yemen isprotected by national legislation and internationalagreements, nevertheless, the conflict is endangering
the country’s cultural objects that are now at risk ofbeing illegally trafficked.

Museums, auction houses, art dealers and collectors
are urged not to acquire objects similar to thosepresented in the List without having carefully andthoroughly researched their origin and all therelevant legal documentation. Any cultural artefactthat could have originated from Yemen should besubjected to detailed scrutiny and precautionary
measures before any transaction is conducted.

Thanks to the support of the U.S. Department of Stateand the scientific contribution of experts, ICOM
is publishing an Emergency Red List of Cultural
Objects at Risk for Yemen in order to provide law
enforcement and cultural heritage professionals
with a practical tool to identify the cultural objects
of Yemen most at risk, with an aim of preserving themfor future generations.

We wish to remind everyone that ICOM does notprovide certificates of origin or authenticity. Only
national government authorities are authorised
to issue documents related to the export and importof cultural goods.

If you suspect a cultural object from Yemen has been stolen, looted
or illegally exported, please contact:
International Council of Museums (ICOM)
22, rue de Palestro - 75002 Paris - France
Tel.: +33 1 47 34 05 00 - Fax: +33 1 43 06 78 62
E-mail: illicit-traffic@icom.museum

IMPORTANT NOTEA Red List is NOT a list of actual stolen objects.
The cultural goods depicted are inventoried objects within the collections of recognised
institutions. They serve to illustrate the categories of cultural goods most vulnerable to illicit
traffic.
ICOM wishes to thank all of the institutions and individuals who provided the photographspresented in this Red List.

RED LIST OF CULTU
Writing
Ancient alphabet, Arabic or Hebrew writings on stone or metal plates; on wooden sticks; on paper orparchment, with calligraphy or illuminations.

1

2

3

1. Copper alloy plaque, Yemen (Amran), 1st c. BC-2nd c. AD (probably),
31.8 x 17.8 x 2 cm. © Trustees of the British Museum45

4. Hebrew manuscript, Yemen (Sanaa), 14th-15th c., 27.5 x 20.9 cm.
© Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF)5. Illuminated Arabic manuscript, Yemen, 27 x 16 cm.
© Dar al-Mahtutat, Sanaa

2. Limestone block, South Arabia, 1st c. AD, 30.5 x 26.5 x 11.5 cm.
© Musée du Louvre, dist. Grand Palais/Thierry Ollivier
3. Wooden stick, Yemen, 3rd-5th c. AD, 23.7 x Ø 2.6 cm.
© The National Museum, Sanaa

Sculpted objects
Stelae: Funerary stelae carved in stone.

768910111213

6. Limestone stele, Yemen (Hadhramaut), late 3rd/early 2nd millenium BC,
80 x 34 x 13 cm. © Al-Mukalla Museum. Photo: Philippe Maillard/akg-images

10. Limestone funerary stela fragment, South Arabia, 1st-3rd c. AD,
31.5 x 33.5 x 8 cm. © RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Franck Raux

7. Calcite travertine bust, Yemen, 3rd c. BC-1st c. AD, 21.4 x 16.2 x 12.4 cm.
© Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

11. Alabaster, stucco and bitumen head, Yemen (Wadi Bayhan), 1st c. BC-mid-1st c. AD,
30.2 x 18.2 x 17.3 cm. © Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

8. Calcite-alabaster miniature stela, Yemen, 13.7 x 6.6 x 2.8 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum

12. Calcite-alabaster stela, Arabian Peninsula, 1st c. BC-1st c. AD,
32.1 x 23.3 x 3.5 cm. © The Walters Art Museum

9. Calcite-alabaster stela, Yemen, 3rd c. BC-3rd c. AD, 19 x 10.6 x 5.5 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum

13. Limestone, calcite-alabaster and gypsum stela, Yemen (Marib), 3rd-1st c. BC,
102 x 24 x 18 cm. © The Marib Museum. Photo: J. Kramer/Deutsches Archäologisches
Institut (DAI)URAL OBJECTS AT RISK - YEMEN
Statuettes: Statuettes and figurines representing human beings or animals in metal or stone.

1415

16

17

14. Sandstone sculpture, Southwestern Arabia, 3rd-2nd millennium BC,
27 x 13.9 x 10.9 cm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

16. Copper alloy statuette, Yemen (Marib), 1st c. BC-2nd c. AD,
21 x 28 x 9.7 cm. © Trustees of the British Museum

15. Bronze statuettes, Yemen (Sirwah), 1st c. BC-3rd c. AD, 10.4 x 2.7 cm; 8.9 x 3.3 cm.
© I. Wagner/Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI)

17. Yellow stone statue, Yemen, 3rd c. BC-3rd c. AD, 20 x 8.3 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum

Statues and busts: Human beings or animal statues or busts made of metal or stone.

18192018. Alabaster funerary statue, Yemen, 1st c. AD, 45.5 x 13.3 x 10.3 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Hervé Lewandowski
19. Bronze relief, Yemen, 1st c. BC, 67 x 70 x 9.5 cm.
© The National Museum, Sanaa. Photo: Musée du Louvre, dist. Grand Palais/Thierry
Ollivier

21

20. Bronze bust, Yemen (Jabal al-’Awd), 3rd-2nd c. BC, 23 x 14 cm.
© General Organization of Antiquities and Museums (GOAM); CASIS Project, Universityof Pisa
21. Bronze statue, Yemen (Al Baida), 6th-5th c. BC, 140 cm.
© The National Museum, Sanaa. Photo: Musée du Louvre, dist. Grand Palais/Anne Chauvet

Architectural elements
Carved stone, altars, architectural decorative elements and reliefs; carved wooden panels. Ancient inscriptions
on stelae or architectural fragments of buildings.

2223

22. Alabaster fragment relief, South Arabia, 1st-2nd c. AD, 19.7 x 32 x 4.6 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Franck Raux
23. Limestone frieze, Yemen (Wadi Bayhan), early 1st c. AD, 34 x 39.5 x 27.5 cm.
© Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

2424. Calcite alabaster corner block, Yemen (Wadi Bayhan), early 1st c. AD,
12.7 x 11.9 x 7.9 cm. © Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

RED LIST OF CULTU

2726

25

25. Limestone inscribed stela, Yemen (Marib), ca. AD 549, 250 x 66 x 40 cm.
© The Marib Museum. Photo: Philippe Maillard/akg-images

27. Alabaster slab, Yemen (Marib region ?), ca. 700 BC, 96.5 x 59 x 15 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Hervé Lewandowski

26. Limestone libation table, Yemen (Marib), 10 x 123.5 x 69 cm. © General
Organization of Antiquities and Museums (GOAM); CASIS Project, University of Pisa

Vessels and containers
Metal, wood, stone and clay vessels and containers, can be decorated and can bear ancient or Arabic writings.

29

30

28

31

28. Calcite alabaster vessel, Southwestern Arabia, ca. mid-1st millennium BC,
5.25 cm, diameter of base 7.1 cm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

30. Earthenware jar, Yemen (Wadi Bayhan), 10th-7th c. BC,
8 x 7.8 x 7.2 cm. © Freer and Sackler, The Smithonian Institution

29. Earthenware vessels, Yemen, late 8th-late 6th c. BC,
9.4 x 12.2 cm; 7.5 x 12.8 cm. © Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

31. Copper alloy "magic cup", Yemen?, 13th c., 54 x Ø 18.7 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Franck Raux

Coins and seals
Coins from pre-Islamic and Islamic periods. Stamps and ring seals, made of metal or stone.

3233

34

32. Gold coin, Yemen (North of Aden), ca. AD 450-500, Ø 0.17 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum

35. Gold oval seal, Yemen, Ma’rib?, 1st c. BC, 2.8 x 1.8 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Franck Raux

33. Silver coin, Yemen © Trustees of the British Museum

36. Red brown agate stamp seal and modern impression,Southwestern Arabia, ca. 7th–6th c. BC, 2.2 x 1.4 x 1.25 cm.
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art

34. Silver coin, Yemen, AD 1254.
© Trustees of the British Museum

3536

URAL OBJECTS AT RISK - YEMEN
Accessories and tools
Incense burners, astrolabes and lamps: Made of metal, stone or clay, of various shapes and forms.

3738394041

37. Limestone incense burner, South Arabia, late 3rd c. AD, 25.5 x 18 x 16 cm.
© RMN - Grand Palais (Musée du Louvre)/Franck Raux

40. Bronze incense burner, Southwestern Arabia, ca. mid-1st millennium BC,
27.7 x 23.7 x 23.2 cm. © The Metropolitan Museum of Art

38. Copper alloy incense burner or lamp, Yemen, 1st-2nd c. AD.
© Trustees of the British Museum

41. Copper alloy lamp, Yemen (Hadramawt), 2nd-3rd c. AD, 20 x 18.7 x 8.7 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum

39. Brass astrolabe, Yemen, AD 1291, 19.4 x Ø 15.6 cm.
© The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ornaments: Metal hands, Torah sticks (finials) in different shapes and materials.

42. Brass Torah finials, Yemen, 19th-20th c., 25.7 cm.
© Carolina Center for Jewish Studies at the Universityof North Carolina at Chapel Hill
4342

43. Bronze votive hand, South Arabia, 1st-7th c. AD?,10.4 x 7 x 0.5 cm.
© Musée du Louvre, dist. Grand Palais/Raphaël Chipault

Weapons: Ancient metal swords and metal daggers (jambiyas) with handles made of ivory.
44. Bronze dagger, Yemen (Sirwah),2nd half 1st millennium BC, 34.7 x 3.7 cm© I. Wagner/Deutsches Archäologisches Institut (DAI)

44JewelleryEarrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, necklaces and anklets made of gold or silver; can be beaded.

45. Gold pendant, Yemen (Marib ?), 1.42 x 1.31 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum
46. Gold strip, Yemen (Marib ?), 1.21 x 4.04 cm.
© Trustees of the British Museum
4546

ICOM AND THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL HERITAGEICOM maintains formal relations with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO) and has a consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
as an expert in the fight against illicit traffic in cultural goods. ICOM also works in collaboration withorganisations such as INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO) to carry out some of its
international public service missions.
The protection of heritage in the event of natural disaster or armed conflict is also at the core ofICOM’s work, thanks to its Disaster Risk Management Committee (DRMC) and through its strong
involvement in the international Blue Shield. ICOM has the ability to mobilise expert networks
in the field of cultural heritage from all over the world thanks to its numerous programmes.
In 2013, ICOM created the first International Observatory on Illicit Traffic in Cultural Goods in order toreinforce its action in fighting illicit traffic.
The Red Lists have been designed as practical tools to curb the illegal trade in cultural objects. ICOM
is grateful for the unwavering commitment of the experts and institutions who generously contributeto the success of the Red Lists.

The Red Lists are available at the following address: http://redlist.icom.museum

With the generous support of:

U.S. Department of StateBureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Washington, D.C.

22, rue de Palestro - 75002 Paris - FranceTel.: +33 (0)1 47 34 05 00 - Fax: +33 (0)1 43 06 78 62
E-mail: illicit-traffic@icom.museum - Website: http://icom.museum© 2018, ICOM, all rights reserved. Graphic design: TTT. Cover: Alabaster, stucco and bitumen head, Yemen (Wadi Bayhan), 1st c. BC-mid 1st c. AD, 30.2 x 18.2 x 17.3 cm. © Freer and Sackler, The Smithsonian Institution

The International Council of Museums (ICOM), created in 1946 to represent museums and museumprofessionals worldwide, is committed to the promotion and protection of natural and cultural heritage,
present and future, tangible and intangible. With a unique network of over 40,000 members in 138
countries and territories (2018), ICOM is active in a wide range of museum-and heritage-related disciplines.