A Closer Look is The National's show where we take an in-depth look at one of the main stories of the week.
The oldest pearling town in the Arabian Gulf has been discovered in Umm Al Quwain.
Announcing the major find on Monday, the Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology said digs at the site this year 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 discovery was made on Al Sinniyah Island, close to the ancient monastery found last year, and it is now believed the monks made their home next to this major pearling settlement.
The National's reporter John Dennehy speaks to host Sarah Forster about exactly what was discovered and why this is a major historical milestone.
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Oldest pearling town in the Arabian Gulf discovered in Umm Al Quwain
New discoveries are allowing us to re-learn the history of Abu Dhabi
Oldest pearling town in the Arabian Gulf — in pictures
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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
