'The Tanks'. Photographer: Unknown

T.11308/3

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The record is made up of 1 albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print. It was created in Mid 1870s. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

About this record

Content

Genre/Subject Matter:

This photograph depicts the Tawila Tanks, also known as the ‘Cisterns of Tawila’, which are located at the head of the Tawila valley, southwest of the Crater district of Aden.

Although their precise historical origin is unknown, the system of tanks is certainly ancient and was designed to collect rainwater and divert run-off away from the settlement below. The British commenced a restoration in 1856 which radically changed the function of the tanks. This is described on pp. 11-12 of the volume.

The planting of trees and creation of gardens evident in the centre of this image is mentioned in the text on p. 12.

Inscriptions:

In pencil, upper right corner adjacent to print: ‘3’

Extent and format

1 albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

It is part of

'An Account of the British Settlement of Aden in Arabia', compiled by Captain F.M. Hunter

15 images

Ref: T.11308

Physical characteristics

Dimensions:

215 x 174 mm [portrait]

Format:

1 albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print pasted to backing paper as mounted, folded between pp. 12-13

Materials:

Silver printing-out paper, albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

Condition:

The print is unevenly hand-cut. There is significant toning at all edges, extending inwards towards the central fold.

Some tracing marks are evident along all edges. Spot staining originating in the printing phase are evident in the upper left corner along the left-hand edge.

Foliation:

‘3’

Process:

Albumen Method of printing photographs using an emulsion of salt and egg white (albumen). print

Written in

English in Latin script

Type

Photograph

Archive information for this record

Original held at: British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity.
Access conditions: Unrestricted
Archive reference: T.11308/3
Date(s): Mid 1870s (CE, Gregorian)

Subjects: Ethnographic heritage
Places: Aden
People & organisations: Frederick Mercer Hunter

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'The Tanks'. Photographer: Unknown, British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, T.11308/3, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100023400730.0x00000d> [accessed 3 April 2025]

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