Julius Euting : Diary of a Journey Through Inner Arabia, 1883-1884

Julius Euting (1839–1913), a key Semitic scholar, made vital contributions during his 1883 Arabian expedition with Charles Huber. This book presents Euting’s detailed notebooks and original watercolours in English for the first time, along with William Facey’s introduction and a reassessment of Euting’s role in the Tayma Stele discovery.

Julius Euting, an epigraphist, artist, avid hiker, nature-lover, and intrepid explorer, lived a life of wonder, discovery and extraordinary academic achievement, making groundbreaking contributions to Punic, Hebrew and Aramaic studies. In 1883, a perilous exhibition with French-Alsatian geographer Charles Huber aimed to collect ancient texts and investigate archaeological sites in remote northern Arabia. However, the once-promising collaboration turned sour, poisoned by Franco-German rivalry and Huber’s financial dependence on Euting, leading to a split. Euting found himself risking his life on the Red Sea, whilst Huber tragically met his end in Juiddah in July 1884. Euting’s notebooks, filled with vivid observations, entertaining anecdotes, and personal reactions serve as a diary of his tumultuous journeys. Amidst the pages are meticulous records of Aramaic, Nabateaen and Ancient North Arabian inscriptions, accompanied by watercolours and sketches. In this latest publication, William Facey’s introduction weaves the tale of Euting’s life and his complex relationship with Huber, showcasing their 1883-84 journey and 19th-century exploration. The book concludes by evaluating the discovery of the Tayma Stele, crediting Euting for this archaeological triumph and challenging prevailing notions of its original discovery.Volume I contains 300 pages. Volume II contains 384 pages.