Ancient Al Sinniyah Island pearling town found in Umm Al Quwain - in pictures
Excavations have revealed the oldest pearling town in the Arabian Gulf in Umm Al Quwain. All photos: Chris Whiteoak / The National
An ancient weight for pearl fishing was found at the site on Al Sinniyah Island
The Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology said digs have yielded evidence of a thriving 1,300-year-old settlement that predates the rise of Islam — with hundreds of houses and several thousand people
Sheikh Majid bin Saud Al Mualla, Chairman of the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Archaeology, said the discovery was of major historical significance for Umm Al Quwain, the UAE and the wider Arabian Gulf
A tandoor, a large urn-shaped oven, was unearthed at the site
Prof Tim Power of the UAE University said vast courtyard houses similar to those found across the Arabian Gulf were discovered
Archaeologists believe the palatial dwellings with large courtyards housed wealthy pearl merchants and elite members of society
