
Saba Farès
- Patrimoine, Littérature, Histoire (PLH)
Présentation
Professor of Languages and Cultures of Ancient Arabia. My main research topics are :
- Religious Landscape and Sacred Ground
- Territories and borders of Arabian tribes in North Arabia Peninsula based on epigraphic documents
My comparative work within Arabic involves ancient Arabic texts and classical Arabic texts. I work on ancient texts dated form pre-Islamic periods, engraved on rocks and blocs (form the 5th century BC to 8th century AD). I am interested in all linguistic aspects of ancient Arabic languages and mainly the input of Archaeology for better understanding of the society. The materials are collected through annual fieldwork in wādī Ramm (Jordan) and in Kilwa (Saudi Arabia). French Ministry for Foreign Affairs support those tow project and provide and funding (since 1994 for wādī Ramm and 2009 for Kilwa).
The fieldwork lead me to the interrogation about the reusing of ancient material, with the help of new technologies. Thus, throw the project StorMer, funded by LabexMed, I explore, with colleagues who comes form different scientific horizon, the traditional rainfall water and the social construction. We try to develop a pilot for improving traditional system as a solution to access to water, in non urban region in Mediterranean basin (https://raft.hypotheses.org/stromer).
One of the archaeological operations' objectives is to carry out an exhaustive inventory of the archaeological discoveries in Ramm (Jordan) and Kilwa (Saudi Arabia) and to map them. Under my direction, the team has developed an Archaeological Information System called MirCap. It allows us to organize 2 types of data:
- Archaeological (excavation data)
- Environmental (geomorphological, topographical, hydrographical)
The aim of this tool is to optimise operations, to encourage collaboration between archaeological stakeholders in the sectors studied and to ensure greater dissemination of information to scientists and the public:
- Facilitating the action of archaeological operations
Before, during and after the excavation, provide support for decision-making and analysis of data collected in the field. - Providing scientific stakeholders with archaeological information.
To provide a working base for scientists within the department or external researchers. - To enhance and disseminate archaeological knowledge to all audiences
Help to find information to carry out exhibitions, provide educational and mediation activities, etc.
The material collected during 20 years are shared in online database OpenAccess thanks to the collaborative platform (https://mircap.huma-num.fr/) with the financial support for Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region, LabexMed (Aix-Marseille University), IREMAM (UMR 7310) and French Embassy in Saudi Arabia
Current Research Projects
1. Religious landscape and sacred land, the relationship between territory and worship in Kilwa (Saudi Arabia, 7th - 11th c.) (2008-ongoing)
Kilwa is a relatively dense agglomeration with buildings of varying sizes that seem to be a laura. The complex also includes two buildings of worship: a church and a chapel, and buildings for supplies, as well as gardens. The research, which combines archaeological excavations with geospatial analysis, has revealed a system of natural resource management, which is very effective, to the point of cultivating fruit trees that are difficult to envisage in such an arid environment, such as peach trees.
The presence of this monastery, which is unique in the Arabian Peninsula, is not very surprising, since before the rise of Islam, Christian thought had penetrated the Arabian Peninsula, with clear references to Christian rituals and traditions, especially in the poetry of the Jahiliya. Al-Ḥira, in Iraq, became a centre of monasticism in the East in the 5th and 6th centuries, following the massive arrival of Syrian monks after the death of Justinian I (November 565). Following this event, many Arab tribes converted to Christianity at that time.
2. Landscape archaeology and social dynamics at Diriyah (Saudi Arabia) (2020-2022)
The development of the city of Diriyah as a historical and cultural epicentre of Saudi Arabia requires large-scale urban development, of which cultural structures are the backbone.
The aim is to study is how peoples developed and exploited the environment around them in the past. This multi-disciplinary project uses prehistoric, classical, and medieval archaeology to study the history of Diriyah.
Open Science and digital humanity: MirCap (2017-2020)
MirCap project is proudly a part of the French national plan for Open Access Science. With the aim of “democratizing access to knowledge, useful for research, training, economy and society”, the MIRCAP project offers a collection of more than 20 years of a large set of data from two major projects in Jordan (Wadi Rum) and Saudi Arabia (Kilwa).
This Project was awarded in the call for projects of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Region.
Seeking to bring public-financed research out of the restricted sphere of closed databases, the platform disseminates research funded by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development in tandem with the Service of Cooperation and Cultural Action and headed by Professor Saba Fares.
The data seeks to tend to the gaps in study of pre-Islamic Arabia and its geo-climatic environment. The information on this platform addresses a number of issues and as such tend to both ecological and historical studies as well as understandings of contemporary social issues such as population displacement. It provides an analysis of ancient texts, language, the change in Arabic dialect in the region. Locating places with an abundance of water provided insight into the changing movements of the ancient nomadic populations. As such, a unique nexus of social sciences versus hard sciences is presented here. However, critically, this platform has been created in order to share this information widely and allow researchers to make use of this data in their own work. It is the main goal of this platform to provide intricate information that can be used internationally by scientists, social scientists, and the curious individual alike. This open-access platform is also geared as a contribution to national French efforts to disseminate information widely for the general public, justly, with no cost.
This project is the awarded from of the PACA Region’s call for tenders which is part of the 2015-2020 State-Region Plan Contract which “sets the course for State and Regional action for the next six years in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur”.
Recently closed research project (2017-2018)
STORMER : Traditional rainwater harvesting system: a sustainable solution for a non-urban population in the Mediterranean
This Project was awarded in the call for projects Amorces - Ateliers Thématiques de Recherche Interdisciplinaires by LabexMed, a laboratory of excellence under the A*MIDEX university foundation, which brings together 16 Aix-Marseille mixed research units in the human and social sciences (http://labexmed.fr/fr/project/stormer/ and https://raft.hypotheses.org/stromer).
This project proposes to carry out a collective reflection on traditional hydraulic systems for rainwater harvesting in the Mediterranean basin, one of the regions where the population is most affected by climate change and where natural water resources are lacking (no river, few springs). The project aims to study, with a diachronic and interdisciplinary approach, the resilience of the population around this basin in a context of aridification. Our project focuses on "rain-dependent" regions and populations.
From Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan, we are interested in :
- The diversity of the devices, both tangible and intangible, that societies have put in place throughout their history to cope with drought: rainwater harvesting facilities, sacred investments of these facilities and popular beliefs related to the environment (language, religion)
- Socio-economic construction around hydraulic installations, delimitation of territories, regulation of access and exploitation.
- Conflicts and political issues related to popular hydraulic structures.
Compétences
Publications
Publications
Archaeological digs in Kilwa (2008-ongoing)Les entretiens de la Mer Rouge, Consulat Général de France à Djeddah, Jun 2021, Djeddah, Saudi Arabia
Communication dans un congrès
hal-03254596
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Linguistique et archéologie : recherches combinées pour dater les langues de l’Arabie préislamique21ème Rencontres Sabéennes, Jun 2017, Toulouse, France
Communication dans un congrès
halshs-01730953
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Environnement et sociétés traditionnelles en Jordanie du SudDomestication de l'eau de pluie en méditerranée et implications sociétales, Saba Farès, May 2018, Aix-en-Provence, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01847194
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L’étude géoarchéologique des relations Homme/ environnement : l’exemple de Kilwa (Arabie Saoudite)Domestication de l'eau de pluie en méditerranée et implications sociétales, May 2018, Aix-en-Provence, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-02972220
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Réceptions de l’Antiquité au Proche-Orient : langage et pratiquesMaghreb Antique : enjeux identitaires et patrimoniaux contemporains, Jacques Alexandropoulos, Nov 2017, Toulouse, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736843
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Ancient desert agriculture systems: The example of the monastery of Kilwa (8th century AD)IWGP 2016, 7th conference of the international workgroup for palaeoethnobotany, 2016, Paris, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-02967052
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Old Material for modern futurThe Fifth National Built Heritage Forum, SCTH - Saudi Commission for Tourism & National Heritage, Nov 2015, al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736845
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Réseau hydraulique de la PalmyrènePalmyre mérite notre attention, al-Baas University, Dec 2015, Homs, Syria
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736849
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Al Ḍumayr : un patrimoine culturel oubliéconférences du Centre Culturel Syrien à Paris, May 2014, Paris, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736893
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Fragrances et parfums à travers les âges.Petits déjeuners de la MOM (Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée-Lyon, Dec 2013, Lyon, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736894
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Réforme linguistique islamique : innovation scripturale de la langue arabe.Le contexte de naissance de l’écriture arabe : écrits et écritures araméennes et arabes au 1er millénaire après J.-C., Apr 2013, Paris, France
Communication dans un congrès
halshs-01731005
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Qahwa/café : étymologie, pratiques sociales et symboliquesThé et café. Les représentations culturelles dans les langues et les pratiques, Centre de recherche en terminologie et traduction (CRTT-Université Lumière-Lyon 2), Oct 2013, Lyon, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736850
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Communauté monastique chrétienne en Transjordanie méridionale : l’église de KilwaLes églises syriaques. Xe table-ronde de la Société d’études syriaques, Apr 2012, Paris, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736834
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Marelles et ‘awalé : représentations figurées et jeux gravés sur les rochers du Wadi RammJeux et jouets au Moyen Âge en terre d’islam, GREMMO 5192; CIHAM – UMR 5648, Mar 2013, Lyon, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736857
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Photogrammetry and dense stereo matching approach applied to the documentation of The cultural heritage site of Kilwa (Saudi Arabia)22nd CIPA Symposium, Oct 2009, Kyoto, Japan. pp.11-15
Communication dans un congrès
halshs-01736927
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Survey and Excavations at Huḍayb al-Rīḥ in wādī Ramm: From the Bronze Age to the Abbasid periodAmerican Society for Oriental Research annual Meeting, American Society for Oriental Research, Nov 2006, Washington DC, United States
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736867
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Cultural heritage and the protection of rock art in Southern JordanSeventh International Forum UNESCO – University and Heritage Seminar, UNESCO; YARMOUK UNIVERSITY, Dec 2002, Irbid, Jordan
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736868
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Recherches épigraphiques et archéologiques en Jordanie du SudLes rencotnres de l'Association Franco-Syrienne, l'Association Franco-Syrienne, May 2002, Lyon, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736877
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L’épigraphie sémitique à Wadi Ramm, en Jordanie du SudConférences du Musée gallo-romain à Lyon, Musée gallo-romain à Lyon, 2001, Lyon, France
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736881
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La poursuite des recherches épigraphiques en Jordanie du Sud après William JoblingJulius Euting (1839-1913) und die Erforschung Arabiens, Jul 1999, Tübingen, Germany
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736885
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Les thamoudéens dans le Wadi IramLes conférences du Centre Culturel Français d'Amman, Centre Culturel Français d'Amman, 1997, Amman, Jordanie
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736891
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Les Arabes du Nord à travers les inscriptionsUniversité de Saint Joseph-Beyrouth - départements des Lettres arabes et d'Histoire et Géographie, Apr 1994, Beyrouth, Liban
Communication dans un congrès
hal-01736892
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Jaculus Jaculus and Environmental ObservationKILWA : Preliminary Archeological assessments, 2024
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-04906307
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Introduction to the book of: Kilwa: Preliminary Archeological AssessmentKilwa: Preliminary Archaeological Assessment, 2024
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-04906439
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New chronology of North Arabian inscriptions: the tomb of Yn' (Kilwa, Saudi Arabia)Christian Darles; Lamya Khalidi; Mounir Arbach; Marylène Barret. L’Arabie du sud et Corne de l’Afrique, échanges et relations de l’Age du Bronze à l’avènement de l’Islam, , pp.241-251, 2021, Contacts between South Arabia and the Horn of Africa, from the Bronze Age to Islam, 978-2-8107-0726-3
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-02513176
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Umm Daraj et al-Kharaza : les barrages antiques au service des nomades d’aujourd’huiSaba Farès. Des déserts et des hommes : Wādi Ramm, Jordanie : histoire économique, religieuse, sociale et environnementale : actes du colloque international à Wādī Ramm, les 11,12 et 13 novembre 2011, 52, A.D.R.A.; De Boccard, pp. 227-260, 2013, Études anciennes, 978-2-913667-36-5
Chapitre d'ouvrage
hal-01488959
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Résultats préliminaires des prospections et des fouilles archéologiques à wādī RammSaba Farès. Des déserts et des hommes : Wādi Ramm, Jordanie : histoire économique, religieuse, sociale et environnementale : actes du colloque international à Wādī Ramm, les 11,12 et 13 novembre 2011, 52, A.D.R.A.; De Boccard, p. 11-77, 2013, Études anciennes, 978-2-913667-36-5
Chapitre d'ouvrage
hal-01488957
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Communauté monastique chrétienne en Transjordanie méridionale : l’église de KilwaFrançoise Briquel-Chatonnet. Les églises en monde syriaque, Geuthner, p. 225-236, 2013, 978-2-7053-3886-2
Chapitre d'ouvrage
hal-01488452
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Avant-Propos: Femmes, cultures et sociétés dans les civilisations méditerranéennes et proche-orientales de l’AntiquitéFemmes, cultures et sociétés dans les civilisations méditerranéennes et proche-orientales de l’Antiquité, 2009, Topoi Orient-Occident
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-04580114
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La femme dans les sociétés méditerranéennes et proche-orientalesFemmes, cultures et sociétés dans les civilisations méditerranéennes et proche-orientales de l’Antiquité, 10, pp.7-8, 2009, Topo Orient-Occident, Supl. 10
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-04580105
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Les femmes prêtresses dans les religions arabes préislamiques : le cas des liḥyanitesTopoi Orient et Occident. Femmes, cultures et sociétés dans les civilisations méditerranéennes et proche-orientales de l'Antiquité, 10, De Boccard, pp.183-195, 2009
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-00497373
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Les gravures rupestres de Jordanie du Sud et enquête sur les pratiques de chasse actuellesMaison René-Ginouvès, Archéologie et Ethnologie. La chasse, Pratiques sociales et symboliques, 2, De Boccard, pp.37-44, 2006
Chapitre d'ouvrage
halshs-00129107
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Wādi Ramm, Jordan: Economic, Religious, Social and Environmental History: Proceedings of the International Symposium at Wādī RammMan and the Desert: The First Multidisciplinary Conference on the Natural and Cultural History of Wadi Rum (Jordan), 52, De Boccard, 2013, Études anciennes
Proceedings/Recueil des communications
hal-02542917
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Femme et féminisme dans les littératures méditerranéennes et arabeADRA; Association pour la diffusion de la recherche sur l'Antiquité. Femmes dans la littérature, France. 45, De Broccard, pp.240, 2010, Etudes anciennes, 978-2-913667-27-9
Proceedings/Recueil des communications
hal-01346320
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