Masafi 5 archaeology - in pictures

  • Archaeologists work at Masafi 5 in 2017. There are several ancient settlements at Masafi, a town in the foothills of the UAE's Hajar Mountains. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    Archaeologists work at Masafi 5 in 2017. There are several ancient settlements at Masafi, a town in the foothills of the UAE's Hajar Mountains. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • An excavation plan of Masafi 5, where teams have been working for more than a decade. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    An excavation plan of Masafi 5, where teams have been working for more than a decade. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • There is evidence that there was a thriving agricultural village here whose inhabitants lived in terraces, grew crops and reared animals. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    There is evidence that there was a thriving agricultural village here whose inhabitants lived in terraces, grew crops and reared animals. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • The remains of fireplaces and furnaces suggest the presence of copper mining and metallurgy. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    The remains of fireplaces and furnaces suggest the presence of copper mining and metallurgy. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • The village is thought to have been occupied during the late Bronze Age and beginning of the Iron Age. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    The village is thought to have been occupied during the late Bronze Age and beginning of the Iron Age. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • Bittersweet clams and an ark shell found at the ancient village, believed to be the first inland settlement in the region to have shown evidence for turning shells into adornments. Photo: Kevin Lidour
    Bittersweet clams and an ark shell found at the ancient village, believed to be the first inland settlement in the region to have shown evidence for turning shells into adornments. Photo: Kevin Lidour
  • It is thought the small community may have traded pottery for raw shells with Kalba and Khor Fakkan. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    It is thought the small community may have traded pottery for raw shells with Kalba and Khor Fakkan. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
  • A fragment of historical jewellery found at the site. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE
    A fragment of historical jewellery found at the site. Photo: French Archaeological Mission in the UAE