Some of the iron weaponry found in the graves, including swords
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K5O3PDSZW5DANKYHRHSTBHOFSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=de3613cf57e8534fefa6aec8f2fe71cf67185be70769e16cd1d471fbb8f9a827&width=400&height=225)
Archaeologists in Abu Dhabi have found artefacts that date back to the Iron Age and pre-Islamic period. All photos: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZSQNB7OYKVFC5CCIB2UH422PMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=47a0d1ed8fe1d9ee498ec83ee2f2e0677b5af91550778f1ce7bdcc402e340692&width=400&height=225)
A ceramic jar discovered at the ancient burial site
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFQHS4ONP5CZBI6LNUPC43K6HA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2623b227caa26a6cb94c36f4262d88fc6947a130b8b65971cf6b6781242a442&width=400&height=225)
A softstone vessel with lid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUU5Q3ARLJHSBEGXIFGBRVPVDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=438deb6c7a83f9283fbb126d34c64c59f2201d7b91c6b48869d385e7f911c384&width=400&height=225)
Iron Age tree pit with a tree stump.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGTV343JMZBYVPZKP6Z4KSITOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=68f72ead23b042b35933a0b007b6eb2901bbc9e1b905ffe925b90fbeef8355fc&width=400&height=225)
Experts found pre-Islamic tombs, one of which had a cache of iron weaponry
Other artefacts found in graves and tombs included glass and alabaster containers
A jar found in one of the graves
Soil samples were taken from the site to glean further information about the kinds of crops cultivated during the Iron Age
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E55L6OAPDJFZVCHYFRIYDYUBCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=73cb67d03f0f08e73fb20c9237d8274bb52ca75f050f0979bd7517db0c15ec54&width=400&height=225)
Archaeologists also identified more than 50 ancient aflaj - underground water channels - of various periods and construction techniques
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SFVHV4AUXZEJ3OD5MF5T45WZ5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e9c7e4ff4c88d08230c2cdc3aeb02696815ffd3b2faddf222bf213a9e2a41cf&width=400&height=225)
Several Iron Age graves were also found
Archaeologists identified 20 individual graves
A copper vessel
These discoveries provide valuable insights into the region's history
Some of the iron weaponry found in the graves, including swords
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/K5O3PDSZW5DANKYHRHSTBHOFSU.jpg?smart=true&auth=de3613cf57e8534fefa6aec8f2fe71cf67185be70769e16cd1d471fbb8f9a827&width=400&height=225)
Archaeologists in Abu Dhabi have found artefacts that date back to the Iron Age and pre-Islamic period. All photos: Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/ZSQNB7OYKVFC5CCIB2UH422PMY.jpg?smart=true&auth=47a0d1ed8fe1d9ee498ec83ee2f2e0677b5af91550778f1ce7bdcc402e340692&width=400&height=225)
A ceramic jar discovered at the ancient burial site
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/DFQHS4ONP5CZBI6LNUPC43K6HA.jpg?smart=true&auth=d2623b227caa26a6cb94c36f4262d88fc6947a130b8b65971cf6b6781242a442&width=400&height=225)
A softstone vessel with lid
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/YUU5Q3ARLJHSBEGXIFGBRVPVDQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=438deb6c7a83f9283fbb126d34c64c59f2201d7b91c6b48869d385e7f911c384&width=400&height=225)
Iron Age tree pit with a tree stump.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/HGTV343JMZBYVPZKP6Z4KSITOA.jpg?smart=true&auth=68f72ead23b042b35933a0b007b6eb2901bbc9e1b905ffe925b90fbeef8355fc&width=400&height=225)
Experts found pre-Islamic tombs, one of which had a cache of iron weaponry
Other artefacts found in graves and tombs included glass and alabaster containers
A jar found in one of the graves
Soil samples were taken from the site to glean further information about the kinds of crops cultivated during the Iron Age
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/E55L6OAPDJFZVCHYFRIYDYUBCE.jpg?smart=true&auth=73cb67d03f0f08e73fb20c9237d8274bb52ca75f050f0979bd7517db0c15ec54&width=400&height=225)
Archaeologists also identified more than 50 ancient aflaj - underground water channels - of various periods and construction techniques
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SFVHV4AUXZEJ3OD5MF5T45WZ5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=3e9c7e4ff4c88d08230c2cdc3aeb02696815ffd3b2faddf222bf213a9e2a41cf&width=400&height=225)
Several Iron Age graves were also found
Archaeologists identified 20 individual graves
A copper vessel
These discoveries provide valuable insights into the region's history
Some of the iron weaponry found in the graves, including swords
Treasure trove of artefacts found at ancient burial site in Abu Dhabi
Site discovered in Al Ain covers period from around 1300 BC to 600 AD
![The National](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9e2159fa-e4db-4215-b498-6b3607b75bee.png?smart=true&auth=cf728de2f2d93afc214682199f23d53c844677eb59567fe99abdb1c7e9f03161&width=70&height=70)
The National
16 June, 2023
- Listen In English
- Listen In Arabic