How archaeology is tracing the roots of Emirati heritage and culture

Archaeology is central to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s cultural mission.

The roots of Emirati culture run deep. Archaeology shows those roots, which are spread across our nation’s rich history. This year marks a milestone in history as we celebrate 65 years since the start of archaeological excavations in the UAE. Since 1959, archaeological research has expanded across the country. Our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan's vision in promoting archaeological research in Al Ain that year was that a holistic picture of the country’s history would emerge. That is now becoming a reality.

This is why archaeology is central to the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s cultural mission. Archaeological discoveries sustain the ancient traditions and heritage of this land. They reinforce our history of commercial and religious interaction. To understand how we should live, we must remember how our ancestors lived.

We will be opening more archaeological sites to the public, and archaeological evidence will be given its rightful place at the Zayed National Museum, centrepiece of the Saadiyat Cultural District. The museum will tell the story of the late Sheikh Zayed, the unification of the emirates and the deep history and global connections of the UAE.

The upcoming Saadiyat Cultural District and the Zayed National Museum, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office

Even before it opens, the Zayed National Museum will offer ways to connect with Emirati heritage and history. The first session of the Multaqa Zayed National Museum: Majlis series, in collaboration with Majalis Abu Dhabi under the Presidential Court’s Citizens and Community Affairs office, will be launched today. Open to the public and held in Arabic, the event will foster discussions about the past – whether cultural or archaeological.

Through our collaborative efforts, archaeological advances have revealed insights into the history of this land and strengthened our mission to protect, preserve and promote our cultural and archaeological heritage.

Archaeology needs an audience, we have been opening doors so people can discover the ancient past

On Ghagha Island, in the westernmost waters of Abu Dhabi, researchers discovered Neolithic stone-lined pits and hearths dating to around 6300 BCE. These were found to be kilns for burning limestone and represent our first known industry, which produced plaster for the manufacture of some of the earliest vessels in the region.

Siniyya Island in Umm Al Quwain is the site of multiple excavations, exploring a newly discovered Christian monastery with artefacts from pearl diving, such as a stone pearl diver’s weight, made from stone, dating to circa 600-750 CE.

In Al Ain, researchers also discovered a Bronze and Iron Age cemetery containing a stone tomb and at least 35 graves. Archaeologists also identified more than 50 ancient aflaj irrigation systems of various dates and construction techniques, evidence of different phases of Iron Age agriculture.

Because archaeology needs an audience, we have been opening doors so people can discover the ancient past. In addition to developing the Zayed National Museum and Al Ain Museum projects, we have also reopened the Delma Museum and opened a new visitor centre on the island of Sir Bani Yas.

Sir Bani Yas Visitor Centre

The journey of Abu Dhabi archaeology has been remarkable. In some areas across the globe, archaeology arose from the interest of western researchers, who were intent on confirming their own ideas about the specific area they were researching. The UAE embarked on a path that was driven from within the country: the spark of interest came not from abroad but from local leaders, who understood that ancient structures had a story to tell.

In the late 1950s, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, at the time the Ruler’s Representative in Al Ain, and his brother Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then Ruler of Abu Dhabi, invited archaeologists to come explore. This unlocked a journey of discovery that uncovered the Bronze Age tombs of Umm an Nar island and those of Hili – the latter discovery led to inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site in 2011.

Emiratis have been at the forefront of Abu Dhabi archaeology ever since: working to ensure we are instilling curiosity in our youth to continue to learn and discover their own rich history. This commitment to the UAE’s history and archaeology is now being taken forward by a new generation of youth and residents, who are eager to discover this land’s heritage and present their findings to the wider community.

While we have learnt much about the early history of Abu Dhabi, gaps still remain. The more we know, the more we wonder. Recent work has made solid progress in exploring the Bronze and Iron ages and the early Islamic period. But the very early times – from 12,000 to over 300,000 years ago – remain wide open for discovery.

Other parts of the world show the huge potential for marine archaeological discoveries on the seabed. Indeed, we have commenced pilot studies off the Abu Dhabi coast in the Khor Al Bazam, where we used marine geophysics to scan the sea floor with very interesting results, which will be explored further.

We are venturing into experimental archaeology too. A team from Zayed National Museum, NYU Abu Dhabi and Zayed University used archaeological evidence to reconstruct a Magan boat from the Bronze Age period that would have plied the Arabian Gulf’s trade routes. The reconstructed boat, captained by Emirati sailors and with a sail made of goat hair, travelled 50 nautical miles during two days of sea trials.

Abu Dhabi’s archaeological journey has been unique, it has been instructive and inspiring, and we are committed to it because archaeological discoveries inform our understanding of our history and heritage, affirm our culture, and, in turn, support the development of our culture and tourism sectors and creative industries.

Only by being true to our heritage can we continue to safeguard our enduring culture.