An attempt to deciphering the Dhofarites inscriptions: Unlocking the Secrets of Dhofar: A Study of Ancient Epigraphy in the Southern Arabian Peninsula

The book begins by exploring the enigmatic history of eastern South Arabia and the contentious genealogical tradition of the Quḍāʿat tribe, which has been shrouded in mystery due to the scarcity of pre-Islamic documentation. The author then turns to the discovery of the Dhofar inscriptions by Ali Maḥash Al-Shahri in 1991, which remains undeciphered despite over three decades of research.

This book presents a detailed analysis of hundreds of painted inscriptions and drawings found in the caves of Dhofar, which were documented by Ali Maḥāsh Al-Shaḥri. The author identifies two distinct scripts, provisionally labeled Script 1 and Script 2, which bear a clear affinity to the South Arabian script family.

Despite the challenges posed by ambiguous character forms and the complexity of the material, the book aims to break down the resistance of the language by meticulously analyzing inscriptions deemed to be more comprehensible. This study offers fresh perspectives on the region's history and culture, providing a crucial step towards understanding the complexities of ancient epigraphy in the southern Arabian Peninsula.