NYN | News
A historic cave in Yemen’s Socotra Archipelago, located east of the Gulf of Aden, has been subjected to acts of vandalism that defaced rare ancient inscriptions and writings dating back thousands of years.
Dr. Ahmed Al-Rumaili Al-Socotri, a researcher and academic from the governorate, revealed the damage inflicted on the historic carvings that had long been preserved inside one of the island’s most renowned caves.
In a post on his Facebook page, Al-Rumaili urged local authorities to take immediate action to protect Socotra’s rich archaeological landmarks, warning that continued neglect threatens the island’s unique cultural heritage.
Al-Rumaili explained that the Brahmi script, from which the Sanskrit language descended, had lain peacefully in Hoq Cave for millennia, untouched by human interference—until visitors of the 21st century came and disturbed its ancient resting place.
He noted that some visitors had carved their names into the cave walls, adding that anyone visiting the site today would find numerous modern inscriptions, a scene that vividly illustrates the extent of the violations.
Al-Rumaili called on the relevant authorities in Socotra to swiftly identify those responsible for the vandalism and impose the harshest penalties, in order to preserve what remains of this rare historical heritage that forms an integral part of the archipelago’s cultural identity.
It is worth noting that the Socotra Islands have recently faced a wave of environmental and cultural encroachments, some reportedly linked to various Emirati interventions, posing a serious threat to the archipelago’s unique natural and historical legacy.
