Archaeological sites in the Emirates (3rd BC -7AD) By Sheeba Patras

OBJECTIVES To learn the names of seven Emirates of UAE. Recognize the first archaeological sites in the UAE. Locate the archaeological sites on the map of the UAE. Appreciate the cultural value of the archaeological exploration and findings.

Archaeological sites in the UAE There are four main archaeological sites in the UAE between 3rd century BC and 7th century AD Meliha Aldore Dibba Julphar

Meliha

MELIHA It is a village located about 20 km south of the city of Dhaid, and about 50 km southeast of the city of Sharjah. French excavators found a number of tombs and pottery, glassware, and coins with inscriptions in MUSNAD handwriting. A mintage template and three drawer handles sealed with words in the Greek language.

The compound in Meliha was surrounded from both sides by a number of tombs, with tower buildings whose tops adorned with multi-leveled balconies. In contrast, there were some large cemeteries and a huge building that looks like a monument, made of milk and clay, covered with white plaster.

Al-Dore (Omani Port) Archaeological excavations started in 1970s and continue up to date. It is in the Emirate of Umm al Quwain in the UAE. The place is located almost in the middle of the old road between RAK and Sharjah. An archaeological Iraqi mission began to survey and excavate the site where they found a square building whose walls were made of solid stones in the south-eastern side of the Al dore.

Number of houses and graves also discovered there. The mission also discovered a square castle in which pottery and stone tools as well as a range of currencies has been found. Number of houses and graves also discovered there. Archaeologists also found huge amount of deomestic and imported pottery as well as metal headings of arrows, iron nails, glassware, bronze ware as like as rings and bracelets, incense burners, small statues, and large quantities of beads. Amazing facts

Dibba Dibba is important place due to its location on the Gulf of Oman which made it able to contact the Indian subcontinent. Dibba was the old capital of the province of Oman before Sohar. Many traders met in it due to its great importance in the province of Oman. Human bones accompanied by a number of pottery and stone utensils and bronze arrows dated back to the 1st Millennium BC (iron age) was discovered there.

National Museum of Fujairah With the passage of time the relics were disappeared, which were later on re-excavated by the National Museum of Fujairah in Almulhib. They found in it a set of human and animal bones, pottery, iron and bronze weapons, bronze Jewelry and beads dated back from the 2nd millennium BC to the 1st century AD.

Julphar Julphar was buried under the sand, and other parts of it have been destroyed as a result of the wars that hit it throughout it long history. The current proposed place for Julphar is in the area near Shamel in Ras Al Khaimah. This location makes it an appropriate port for ships coming from Basra and the rest of the Gulf ports to stop in and then leave towards Hormuz Strait loaded with supplies. It is the first place the naval ships come to after entering Hormuz Strait.

ACTIVITY Q. Explain the role of the national museums in preserving archaeological sites. Museums in the UAE have contributed a lot towards preservation of the culture of the UAE. There are several museums in the UAE. They display artwork, rare pictures, utensils, armory, maritime equipment, currencies and other items from the olden times. Museums that have opened in original structures that served as forts or palaces in the olden days reflect the heritage of the UAE in a unique way. Q. Amongst the most important landmarks in Julphar after archaeological excavations are: Houses and other buildings as places of storing dates an Mosque.