Author(s) :

Imad M. AlAtiqi.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Ever since the land of Retenu appeared in the inscriptions of Egyptian monuments, it was readily assumed to denote Syria- Palestine. Over the subsequent decades, doubt has been cast on this toponymic designation, and attempts have been made to assign an alternative location. This paper addresses the difficulties surrounding such assignment and provides evidence pointing towards a location in the Yemen of south Arabia. The identified location is Wadi Adhanah basin which lies in the center of the country and is considered the largest water resource basin in the country. It was found that toponyms mentioned in the Egyptian monuments and records are identical to the ancient topographical locations in and around Wadi Adhanah. Furthermore, the recent advances in archaeology established a vivid bronze age culture in the Yemen which featured material culture and resources that copies what was recorded in the Egyptian and south Arabian records. The strategic location of the wadi Adhanah and Yemen in general across the Red Sea from Egypt, and its wealth of produce, made it an attractive economic supplier, who was often subjected to the campaigns of the kings of Egypt. Unlike southern Arabia, Syria-Palestine did not have natural and material resources mentioned in the Egyptian records that were obtained from Retenu.

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