inscription dedicating the piece to the god Talab, a portrait emerges of a rich, classical culture from this area. One of the most striking pieces is the bronze head of a man with metic- ulously coiffed "corkscrew locks" believed to be from the second centu- ry. The piece was presented by Imam Yahya ibn Mohammad, ruler of Northern Yemen from 1905-1948, to King George VI on the occasion of his coronation in 1936. While 10 or 12 countries claim to have been home to the Queen of Sheba, including Iraq, Iran, Madagascar and Ethiopia, Clapp nar- rowed it down to the most likely four. After extensive on-site research, he finally settled on Saba, in Yemen, which he believes is the most likely area. - Yul Brynner and Gina Lollobrigida in the 1959 film "Solomon and Sheba" "We have illustrations of what the land of Sheba really looked like, none of which has been shown in America before," explained Simpson. The exhibit captures the faces of ordinary people, what they looked like, their clothes, art, jewels, "all beginning with a few lines from the Book of Kings," Simpson said. The curators said they hope the exhibit will bring new interest in this shadowy queen. "Everyone has heard of the Queen of Sheba, but they know very little more than that. What this exhibit does is illustrate there is a much more complex series of tales," Simpson said. Visitors learn that Sheba's land was a much richer place, culturally and eco- nomically, than previously thought. It was a land that had much more than spices. It had buildings four stories higher than any other ancient build- ings. This was a country that pros- pered under her reign by trading com- modities to Jerusalem and the Roman Empire. In the end, Simpson conceded that the story of Sheba is still unfolding. "People are always trying to make sense of what they know a little about, so there is a human need to under- stand legends. While he admitted there is no tangi- ble evidence of her existence, so far, enticing theories fit the timeline when she was thought to have reigned. Clapp pointed out, for example, that it would be unusual for Saba to have had a queen. We have a list of their monarchs and the queen doesn't appear on it. But she may have ruled as a regent, which was very, very common. So her rule of 18 years probably fits," he said. Clapp added that Sheba's kingdom in Southern Arabia is a classical cul- ture that has been "completely over- looked." This likely was a culture that interacted with the Greeks and Romans over trade routes. There even is a theory that the written script from the area [on exhibit] could have been a foundation of the Greek script. Clapp also pointed out that the bib- lical account of Sheba's visit to Solomon makes sense as a "trade mis- sion." The "executive queen theory" suggests that Sheba might have been sent on a trade mission by Saba's king while the king stayed home to govern the homeland. The mystery continues to unfold. "So it is left up to the viewer as to whether Sheba is real or not," Simpson said. "We can demonstrate the place and the economic conditions of that place and show you what the individuals looked like [from their own funereal castings]. We can show some of the art, personal jewelry, architecture and culture. But what we can't do is provide a queen. "This [exhibit] creates a vivid pic- ture of the queen that the archaeologi- cal evidence can't do." II )) • Homemade Soups & Salads • • • • Coney Specials Greek Specialties Omelettes Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials • Homemade Sandwiches Cootoenieett 2acatioo4 &la Ann Arbor Farmington Hills 1235 S. University Birmingham 154 S. 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Not good with any other offers. THE ORIGINAL RESTAURANT CC Queen of Sheba: Legend and Reality" runs through March 13. 2005, at the Bowers Museum of Cultural Art, 2002 N. Main St., in Santa Ana, Calif. The museum is open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesdays- Sundays. Tickets are $14 for adults and $8 for students and senior citizens. For more infor- mation, call (714) 567-3600 or visit www.bowers.org online. • PRIVATE PARTIES FOR 55 IN OUR DINING ROOM • PARTY TRAYS •ALL MENU ITEMS AVAILABLE FOR CARRY OUT •GREEK & AMERICAN CUISINE • CHEF'S SPECIALS DAILY • FULL BAR Expires 12/31/04. 1 coupon per table. Not good with any other offers. 4301 Orchard Lake Road • West Bloomfield • Crosswinds Plaza 248-538-6000 FAX:248-538-09 2 47N 12/17 2004 51