Tayma

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Aramaic inscription from Tayma (6th century BC.)

Coordinates: 27°37′N, 38°32′ Tayma or (Tema) (Arabic: تيماء‎) is a large oasis with a long tradition of occupation, located in Saudi Arabia northeast of the Hijaz at the point where the trade route between Yathrib (Medina) and Dumah begins to cross the Nefud desert. Tayma is located 264 kilometers southeast of the city of Tabouk, and about 400 kilometers north of Medina.

In ancient times the oasis was noted as a prosperous Jewish colony, rich in water wells and handsome buildings. Tiglath-pileser III received tribute from Teyma, and Sennacherib named one of Nineveh's gates as the Desert Gate, recording that "the gifts of the Sumu'anite and the Teymeite enter through it." It was rich and proud enough in the 7th century BCE for Jeremiah to prophesy against it (Jeremiah 25:23). Tayma is mentioned in Assyrian sources. It was ruled then by a local Arab dynasty. The names of two eighth-century BCE queens, Shamsi and Zabibei, are recorded.

In 539 BCE, Nabonidus retired to Tayma for worship and looking for prophecies, entrusting the kingship of Babylon to his son. From this we can recognize Tayma as being an important place.

Cuneiform inscriptions possibly dating from the 6th century BCE have been recovered from Tayma. It is mentioned several times in the Old Testament. The biblical eponym is apparently Tema, one of the sons of Ishmael. Archeological investigation of the site, under the auspices of the German Archaeological institute, is ongoing.

According to Arab tradition, Tayma was ruled by a Jewish dynasty during the late classical period, though whether these were exiled Judeans or the Arab descendants of converts is unclear. The town fell to the Muslims in the 630s and the inhabitants were subjected to dhimmitude, and later expelled.

The Teyma stele discovered by Charles Hubert in 1883, now at the Louvre, lists the gods of Teyma, in the 6th century BCE: Ṣalm of Maḥram and Shingala and Ashira as the gods of Tema. This Ashira might be Athirat/Asherah.

[edit] Points of interest

Qasr Al-Ablaq castle is located on the southwest side of the city. It was built by Jewish poet and warrior Samuel ibn 'Adiya and his grandfather 'Adiya in the 6th century CE.
The Qasr Al-Hamra palace was built in the 7th century BCE.
Tayma has an archaeologically significant perimeter wall built around 3 sides of the old city in the 6th century BCE.
Qasr Al-Radhm
Haddaj Well
Cemeteries
Many Aramaic, Lihyanite, Thamudic, Nabataean language inscriptions, around Tayma
Qasr Al-Bejaidi
Al-Hadiqah Mound
Many museums