"Notes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab"

Notes on the Ancient Figures and Inscriptions from Márab presented to the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society by George Smythan, by The President of the Society, John Wilson. A description and analysis of inscriptions on stones found by Dr A. Mackell at the town of Márab or Sábá, believed to be the seat of the Queen of Sheba. Four stones were found, two of which were acquired and facsimiles made for the others. Mackell believed the inscriptions were more Ethiopic in character. Wilson compares these inscriptions with ones found by J.G. Hulton and J. Smith (see Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, vol.5, 1838, p.91). Wilson however suggests these may be of Sabean origin. The article is dated 28 November 1836 with a postscript, dated 2 December 1839, concerning Wilson's reluctance to have his findings published.

With the article are three lithograph sheets showing the figures and inscriptions.

John Wilson was a Scottish missionary, orientalist and educator. In 1829, he moved with his wife to Bombay and spent most of his life there. He founded Wilson College, Mumbai, and Bombay University. He was also the president of the Asiatic Society of Bombay from 1835 to 1842; and was elected Moderator of the Free Church of Scotland in 1870.

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The material was sent by John Wilson to the Royal Asiatic Society in 1839. It was received in February 1840.

The material was catalogued by Nancy Charley, RAS Archivist, in 2022.

Digital photography (without flash) for research purposes may be permitted upon completion of a copyright declaration form, and with respect to current UK copyright law.

The material was the property of John Wilson until he sent it to the Royal Asiatic Society.

The paper was read at the General Meeting of 7 March 1840. The Minutes record, "The Director read a note by Dr Wilson of Bombay on some ancient figures and inscriptions from Márab in Arabia which had been presented to the Bombay Branch of the Society by Dr Smythan".

The Society's collections hold several of Wilson's publications. Details can be found here.

Much of the article, and the inscriptions, are reproduced as part of the chapter on Settlements of the Sons of Joktan: The Jokhanites and Hemyarites in Wilson's publication The Lands of the Bible: Visited and Described in an Extensive Journey Undertaken with Special Reference to the Promotion of Biblical Research and the Advancement of the Cause of Philanthropy, Volume 2, William Whyte, Edinburgh, 1847.