During the year 2024, the UAE registered a set of important archaeological discoveries, which were a qualitative addition to the tangible material evidence of the succession of ancient civilizations that the country has seen on its land throughout history.
The announced group of discoveries helps to form a clearer and more complete picture of the history of the land of the UAE in ancient times, the nature of the customs, traditions and human relations of its inhabitants and how they deal with various local natural resources. use it to their advantage.
On June 25, the Fujairah government – in collaboration with an international team of researchers from the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Antiquities, the German University of Jena and the UK’s Oxford Brookes University – announced the discovery of new evidence indicating an ancient human. since prehistoric times in the emirate of Fujairah.
The new results demonstrate that mobile human groups repeatedly made their home in the rock shelter of the Cave Al-Dur mountain in the Habhab region between 13,000 and 7,500 years ago. until
The discovery captures Fujairah’s rich historical heritage, as experimental archaeological excavations at the Jabal Al-Dur cave rock shelter revealed three layers containing stone tools, animal bones, and hearths Radiocarbon dating of charcoal taken from these hearths shows that it lived about 13,000 to 7,500 years ago , making this rock shelter the oldest archaeological site in the emirate.
Also, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi announced last January the latest discoveries on the island of Sas Al Nakhl, which shed light on the Bronze Age culture that dominated the “Umm Al Nar” region of Abu Dhabi. The time period between 2700 – 2000 BC.
Some 65 years after the first archaeological excavations in Abu Dhabi took place at this site, new excavations have begun at Sas Al Nakhl, and the current archaeological excavation program also works at various sites throughout Abu Dhabi, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Al. Ain
Among the finds that were found was a well-preserved collection of more than 30,000 bones, which allows us to learn more about the diet that prevailed in the Bronze Age. The bones of some large animals were found around a large fireplace, which often indicates group or ceremonial activities, or this place it was intended for people to gather to eat.
Stone finds included millstones, polished stones, axes, beads, a smooth stone bowl and some circular perforated stone discs used to weigh fishing nets, while copper finds included a small hammer or chisel and fishing hooks .
Recent excavations have uncovered a large number of ceramic vessels, imported from distant regions such as ancient Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley Civilization, confirming the island’s key role in trade between distant regions at the time.
The bitumen found at the site was associated with sources in ancient Mesopotamia, where it was used to manufacture waterproof pottery, in addition to storage pits filled with clay, traces on ropes and wood also indicate the use of bitumen to waterproof ship hulls. The Bronze Age is evidence of the prosperity of seafaring. These important finds indicate that Sas al-Nakhl Island was a thriving seaport between 2800 and 2200 BC.
For its part, the Department of Tourism and Antiquities of Umm Al Quwain, during routine excavations at the archaeological site of Tell Abraq in the emirate, and in collaboration with the Italian mission, revealed a set of Roman gold coins, which were coins. It imitated the original coins from the period of prosperity of the Al-Dur site, in the 1st century BC.
These gold coins bearing the image of the Roman Emperor Tiberius, who ruled the Roman Empire from 14 Co. to 37 Co., were found inside a small ceramic vessel, along with another set of bronze coins inspired by the currency called “Abel.” ” bronze bracelet as well.
The UAE attaches great importance to historical sites and monuments, as they are an embodiment of the memory of peoples and societies. The recent archaeological discoveries of the country, dating back thousands of years, have reflected the nature of civilizations. who have approached it since ancient times.
