• An aerial view of the abandoned village of Al Madam, which lies half-buried in the desert sand in Sharjah, UAE. AFP
    An aerial view of the abandoned village of Al Madam, which lies half-buried in the desert sand in Sharjah, UAE. AFP
  • While to the north is a bustling 'new' Al Madam, with a population of 11,000 inhabitants, here the 'old village' lies deserted. AFP
    While to the north is a bustling 'new' Al Madam, with a population of 11,000 inhabitants, here the 'old village' lies deserted. AFP
  • The abandoned village of Al Madam is also known as the 'ghost village' or 'buried village'. AFP
    The abandoned village of Al Madam is also known as the 'ghost village' or 'buried village'. AFP
  • It includes rows of houses and a mosque, and dates from around the 1970s and 1980s. AFP
    It includes rows of houses and a mosque, and dates from around the 1970s and 1980s. AFP
  • Once occupied by the local Al Kutbi tribe, the settlement was abandoned not long after it was built, almost certainly due to sand encroachment. AFP
    Once occupied by the local Al Kutbi tribe, the settlement was abandoned not long after it was built, almost certainly due to sand encroachment. AFP
  • The mosque of the abandoned old village of Al Madam, which is about 60 kilometres from Dubai. AFP
    The mosque of the abandoned old village of Al Madam, which is about 60 kilometres from Dubai. AFP
  • A house lies half buried in the desert sand, in the abandoned village of Al Madam. Some houses are now completely enclosed within dunes. AFP
    A house lies half buried in the desert sand, in the abandoned village of Al Madam. Some houses are now completely enclosed within dunes. AFP

Heritage

The abandoned village of Al Madam in Sharjah - in pictures

The settlement was abandoned not long after it was built, almost certainly due to sand encroachment

The National

April 24, 2021

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