Causes of the Ma’rib Dam Collapse
The remnants of the Ma’rib Dam are located near the city of Ma’rib in Yemen, where it collapsed in the sixth century. Various factors have been attributed to the reasons behind the Ma’rib Dam’s failure, including the following:
- Some scholars suggest that heavy rainfall contributed significantly to the collapse of the Ma’rib Dam.
- Others believe that an earthquake was responsible for the dam’s failure.
- According to an ancient legend, the collapse may have also been caused by rodents gnawing and scratching the stones.
- The Quran mentions this event as a divine punishment to the people of the Sabaean Kingdom, stating, “Indeed, there was for Saba in their dwelling place a sign: two gardens on the right and on the left. Eat from the provision of your Lord and be grateful to Him. A good land and a Forgiving Lord. But they turned away, so We sent upon them a flood from the dam and exchanged their two gardens for two gardens producing bitter fruit and few clusters of grapes. That is Our recompense for them because they were ungrateful. And We do not recompense anyone except the ungrateful.”
What Happened After the Collapse of the Ma’rib Dam?
The advanced hydraulic engineering techniques developed by the Sabaeans largely faded from memory following the collapse, making the maintenance of the dam increasingly challenging. Regular breaches in the dam’s walls began to occur by the mid-fifth century, culminating in its migration in 570 AD. The failure of the irrigation system led to the displacement of approximately 5,000 residents from Ma’rib to other regions of the Arabian Peninsula.
Today, Ma’rib is known for its wheat cultivation and livestock farming, with local agriculture relying on corn, sesame, and clover during the rainy season. However, the city still faces significant destruction.
Overview of Ma’rib Dam
Historically referred to as the Dam of Ma’rib in Wadi al-Sab’a, the dam’s ruins are situated adjacent to the city of Ma’rib, Yemen. It is regarded as one of the largest engineering marvels of the ancient world, measuring approximately 580 meters in length and 15 meters in height. Construction began around 1700 BC, with northern and southern ends reinforced with stone and mortar in the 7th century BC.
Over the centuries, the Yemenis maintained the dam, with the Himyarite kings overseeing its reconstruction, raising its height to 14 meters and establishing drainage canals and settling ponds. A channel measuring 1,000 meters was also constructed to connect to a distribution reservoir, with expansion efforts continuing until the fourth century AD.
Why Was the Ma’rib Dam Built?
The city of Ma’rib served as the capital of the Sabaean Kingdom, flourishing due to its strategic position along the spice trade route (incense road) that connected southern Arabia to the Mediterranean port of Gaza.
The region became known for its rare and expensive products, such as aromatic resins, frankincense, and myrrh, which were in high demand. The Egyptians utilized these products in mummification, while the Chinese valued them for medicinal purposes.
To support the cultivation of trees producing frankincense, myrrh, and dates, which were resilient to the arid climate, an extensive irrigation network was essential. This network consisted of wells, channels, and dams, with the Ma’rib Dam facilitating irrigation over an area of approximately 100 square kilometers of sandy soil used for agriculture.