10 May 2008
On Tuesday 29 April 2008, Yemen LNG launched its archaeological exhibition entitled “Preserving the Past while Building the Future: An Exhibition of Archaeological Discoveries from the Yemen LNG Project”, which was held at the National Museum in Sana’a.

The event showcased some of the archaeological discoveries made by Yemen LNG archaeologists (working with the International specialised Institutes namely The German Archaeological Insititute -{DAI} and French Centre for Social Studies and Archaeology {CEFAS}) over the past two years during their work to identify, document and preserve archaeological sites in the areas where Yemen LNG operates as necessary. During this time YLNG has also continued to work in close co-operation with the Yemeni General Organization for Antiquities and Museums (GOAM).

The high level event was opened by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al-Muflihi, Minister of Culture, Mr. Mohammed Al-Rowaishan, Governor of Shabwah, Mr. Nageeb Al-Sharafi, Advisor to the Minister of Oil and Minerals and Mr. Joel Fort, General Manager of Yemen LNG. Fort in his welcome remarks stressed Yemen LNG’s commitment to preserving the Yemeni cultural heritage in the areas where it operates. He also expressed happiness that Yemen LNG is “contributing to the preservation of cultural heritage in Yemen through a number of archaeological studies and excavations. Early in the planning and construction stages, Yemen LNG committed itself to conducting archaeological surveys aiming to identify, document and as necessary preserve the archaeological sites in the areas where it operates,” added Fort.

In the event, H.E. Minister of Culture praised the archaeological interventions of Yemen LNG and stated that “the construction works uncovered a great deal of knowledge about our ancient civilisations which historians and archaeologists previously knew little about. It sets an example for the type of cooperation that needs to be in place between government authorities (Ministry of Oil and Minerals, Ministry of Culture, GOAM, Governorate), international specialised institutions (DAI and CEFAS), as well as a private Company, namely Yemen LNG”, he added.

Also spoke at the event Mr. Najeeb Al-Sharafi, Advisor to Minister of Oil and Minerals and representative of the Ministry to the event and echoed the Minister of Culture and affirmed that “these efforts represents the balance that ought to be secured between preserving the past and building the future”.

The host of the event, Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Jindari, Director of the National Museum in Sana’a expressed appreciation for choosing his establishment as the venue for this important archaeological event and for Yemen LNG’s support in renovating the hall in which the exhibition is being displayed.

After the opening remarks, Mr. Fort accompanied by H.E. Dr. Mohammed Al-Muflihi, Minister of Culture, and H.E. Mr. Mohammed Al-Rowaishan, Governor of Shabwah, cut the ribbon and toured the exhibition and signed the VIP guest register. While touring the exhibition, the invited guests expressed their admiration for the items exhibited as well as the efforts exerted to preserve them.

The exhibition featured a number of showcased archaeological finds from areas covered by the Yemen LNG Project and specialists also introduced visitors to carefully detailed scale models of the previously undiscovered Hadhrimic settlement and irrigation canals in Darbas, as well as a number of remains from tombs dating back to Iron and Bronze Ages, both in Balhaf and along the pipeline route.

The exhibition was attended by a number of representatives from the diplomatic community in Yemen, representatives from Shabwah Governorates, specialists in the area of archaeology, as well as interested representatives from academic and media institutions. The exhibition will be open to the public at the National Museum in Sana’a from 30 April until 29 May 2008.