Life and discoveries of American archaeologist Wendell Phillips – in pictures

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  Wendell Phillips discovering an ancient identification “dog tag” of a Qataban resident.

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  Wendell Phillips (center, in robes) is made a sheikh of the Bal Harith tribe and given the name Hussein Ali, at a farewell party for the expedition in Beihan given by Sherif Hussein.

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  Prof Albert Jamme, leading South Arabian epigraphist, examines a find in Marib, Yemen.

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  Wendell Phillips’ expedition caravan winds its way into the desert; one truck reads “American Foundation Arabian Expedition”.

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  Local Beihani basket boys lined up outside the excavation site.

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  Plaque with inscription and phiale Yemen, Timna, first half of 1st century BCE Bronze Gift of The American Foundation for the Study of Man, Wendell and Merilyn Phillips Collection, Arthur M Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian, LTS1992.6.49

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  Head of a woman (“Miriam”) Yemen, Timna, 1st century BCE–first half of 1st century CE Alabaster, plaster, lapis lazuli or glass Gift of The American Foundation for the Study of Man, Wendell and Merilyn Phillips Collection, Arthur M Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian, LTS1992.6.181

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  Wendell Phillips.

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  Wendell Phillips’ team begins excavation at a peristyle hall in Marib, present-day Yemen.

Unearthing Arabia: The Archaeological Adventures of Wendell Phillips runs at The Smithsonian in Washington until June 7. All photos Courtesy American Foundation for the Study of Man.