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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    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
    Archaeologists believe the palatial dwellings with large courtyards housed wealthy pearl merchants and elite members of society