Zafar

Zafar, also known as Dhafar, is a major ancient Himyarite site located in Ibb Governorate, south-east of present-day Sana’a, Yemen. The city served as the capital of the Himyarite Kingdom from approximately 110 BC to 525 AD, during a period when Himyar emerged as one of the most powerful states in southern Arabia. Archaeological remains at Zafar include urban structures, inscriptions, and architectural elements that reflect its political, administrative, and cultural importance. The site provides key evidence for the development of state formation, urbanism, and regional influence in pre-Islamic Yemen.

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