The Ancient City of Shibam: A 2,000-Year-Old Skyscraper City in the Desert

The ancient city of Shibam, located in the desert, is a unique and fascinating place, with hundreds of apartment buildings dominating the skyline, some reaching up to 11 stories. This densely populated city has a distinct architecture that sets it apart from its surroundings, sparking curiosity about its design and history.

Introduction to Shibam and its Context

Shibam is situated in Yemen, a country currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis, with 14 million people at risk of famine. However, instead of focusing on the crisis, the story of Shibam showcases its vibrant community and the locals’ ability to adapt to a harsh environment. To understand why cities like Shibam are built in the desert, it’s essential to delve into the geography of Yemen.

Geography of Yemen and the Location of Shibam

Most of Yemen’s population lives in the western mountains and coastal areas, with the capital and cities like Aden, while the middle of the country is a desert with few inhabitants. However, oases like Shibam, located in a valley with a seasonal riverbed, support human settlements due to the availability of water for drinking and irrigation. Shibam’s strategic location made it an important stop in the ancient Caravan Network, a trade route between Africa, the Middle East, and India.

History and Discovery of Shibam

Shibam was eventually discovered by Western travelers in 1893, who found a unique city with 500 crowded houses. Early travelers compared the city to Chicago due to its unique architecture, with buildings made of mud instead of steel. The city’s extreme climate and lack of construction materials led to the use of local materials, such as sandy soil, clay, and straw, to make bricks that dry in the sun.

Architecture and Construction of Shibam

The buildings in Shibam are designed to support their weight, with wide foundations and thick walls, and are maintained through a constant process, with features like mud plaster and wi line plaster to make them waterproof. Traditional construction in this climate is waterproof and perfect for the high temperatures, with buildings designed to limit sunlight and keep heat out. The use of thick mud as an insulator and white lime for its reflective properties helps to regulate temperature.

The application of white lime is a status symbol due to its expense.
Other forms of personalization include carved wooden doors and frames.
The multi-story buildings have specific uses for each floor, including:
- Storage
- Shops
- Animal keeping
- Formal reception areas for men
- Family areas for women

History of Construction and UNESCO World Heritage Site

Ancient people built high settlements on elevated mounds for defense against wild animals and invaders, and when space was limited, they went upwards. In Shibam, this led to the construction of four-story houses 2,000 years ago, and later, due to floods in 1298 and 1532, the city was rebuilt on a mound, resulting in a unique site that was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1982. Despite facing dangers such as flooding and cyclones, Shibam has managed to thrive due to its ancient tradition of building on high ground and adapting to its harsh climate with limited resources.

Conclusion

The ancient city of Shibam is a remarkable example of human ingenuity and adaptability, earning it a special place as a world heritage site. Its unique architecture, rich history, and vibrant community make it a fascinating place to learn about and explore. By understanding the story of Shibam, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the importance of preserving our cultural heritage and adapting to the challenges of our environment.

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Shibam	An ancient city in Yemen known for its unique architecture and dense population.	The city of Shibam is a fascinating example of human adaptability in harsh environments.
Caravan Network	A historical trade route connecting Africa, the Middle East, and India.	Shibam’s location made it a crucial stop in the ancient Caravan Network.
Oasis	A fertile spot in a desert where water is found, supporting vegetation and human settlements.	Shibam is an oasis located in a valley with a seasonal riverbed, making it habitable.
Mud Plaster	A mixture of mud, water, and other materials used to cover and protect walls.	The buildings in Shibam are maintained with mud plaster to make them waterproof.
Wi Line Plaster	A type of plaster used for waterproofing and decorative purposes.	Wi line plaster is used in Shibam’s architecture for its waterproofing properties.
UNESCO World Heritage Site	A site recognized by UNESCO for its cultural, historical, scientific, or natural significance.	Shibam was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1982 due to its unique architecture and historical significance.
Human Ingenuity	The ability of humans to invent, design, and improve things to solve problems and adapt to environments.	The ancient city of Shibam is a remarkable example of human ingenuity in adapting to harsh desert environments.
Cultural Heritage	The traditions, customs, beliefs, and artifacts that are passed down from one generation to the next within a community or society.	Understanding the story of Shibam helps in appreciating the importance of preserving our cultural heritage.
Adaptability	The ability to adjust to new or changing environments, conditions, or situations.	The people of Shibam have shown remarkable adaptability in living and thriving in a harsh desert environment.

Watch The Video

Who Built These Ancient Skyscrapers?

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a long and narrow depression in the earth’s surface where a river flows’?

A) Oasis
B) Valley
C) Mountain
D) Desert

2. What is the primary reason for the use of local materials such as ‘sandy soil, clay, and straw’ in Shibam’s construction?

A) To make the buildings more aesthetically pleasing
B) Due to the extreme climate and lack of construction materials
C) To follow traditional construction methods
D) To reduce the cost of construction

3. What is the purpose of applying ‘white lime’ to the buildings in Shibam?

A) To make the buildings more durable
B) To reduce the risk of flooding
C) To regulate temperature and as a status symbol
D) To improve the structural integrity of the buildings

4. Why were the ancient people of Shibam forced to build their settlements upwards?

A) Due to the lack of space and to defend against wild animals and invaders
B) To improve their view of the surrounding landscape
C) To increase their living space
D) To follow the traditional architecture of the region

5. What is the significance of Shibam being added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1982?

A) It recognizes Shibam as a major trade hub
B) It acknowledges Shibam’s unique architecture and rich history
C) It provides funding for the preservation of the city
D) It promotes Shibam as a tourist destination

Answer Key:

1. B
2. B
3. C
4. A
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: The Use of the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect simple and present perfect continuous are used to describe actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. The present perfect simple is formed with the auxiliary verb “has” or “have” + the past participle of the main verb, and is used to talk about completed actions that have a connection to the present. For example, “Shibam has been a unique city for 2,000 years” emphasizes that Shibam’s uniqueness started in the past and continues up to the present. On the other hand, the present perfect continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb “has” or “have” + “been” + the -ing form of the main verb, and is used to talk about actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. For instance, “The city has been adapting to its harsh environment for centuries” highlights the ongoing process of adaptation. In the context of the text, both tenses are used to describe the history and development of Shibam, such as “Shibam has managed to thrive due to its ancient tradition of building on high ground” and “the locals have been able to adapt to a harsh environment”.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. By the time the Western travelers discovered Shibam in 1893, the city ____________________ for over 1,800 years.

A) has been existing

B) had existed

C) has existed

D) was existing

2. The buildings in Shibam ____________________ to support their weight with wide foundations and thick walls.

A) are designed

B) have been designed

C) were designed

D) are being designed

3. The use of thick mud as an insulator ____________________ to regulate temperature in the buildings.

A) has helped

B) helps

C) has been helping

D) is helping

4. The city of Shibam ____________________ to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1982.

A) was added

B) has been added

C) had been added

D) is added

5. Despite facing dangers such as flooding and cyclones, the city of Shibam ____________________ due to its ancient tradition of building on high ground.

A) has managed to thrive

B) manages to thrive

C) is managing to thrive

D) managed to thrive

Answer Key:

1. C) has existed

2. A) are designed

3. C) has been helping

4. A) was added

5. A) has managed to thrive