Ma'rib is sometimes referred to as Marib. It once was the capital of the ancient kingdom of Saba' and as a result, nowadays it is one of Yemen's most exciting archaeological sites. In the 8th century BC a 16 m (52 feet) high dam was constructed near Ma'rib. The lake that was created as a result, sustained some 50,000 people and provided irrigation water up until the 2nd century AD, when the empire fell. The dam started dilapidating and finally collapsed. After that, Ma'rib became an insignificant village in the desert. The town revitalized in 1986, when oil was discovered and the Yemen Oil Refining Company opened a refinery there.
Most ruins in Ma'rib are not much more than heaps or rubble, but there are still numerous interesting sights left. Most of the old village has been destroyed, but several mud buildings with small windows still stand. Some of them include ancient Sabaean inscriptions in the stone cellar. Close to the old village are the ruins of some temples. One of them is the Temple of Bilqis, which was built around 400 BC. Some remnants of the Great Dam of Ma'rib can still be seen a few miles downstream from the present New Dam of Ma'rib, which is twice as high as the original one.
There are only a few hotels and restaurants in Ma'rib. The town is 125 km east from San'a and buses ply the route between the two places.
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