Prehistoric sites found in Emirate of Abu Dhabi

Archaeologists discovered numerous sites on the island of Marawah and Baynunah in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The sites date back over 7000 years.

Prehistoric artefacts (by Emirates News Agency)

The excavations on the island of Marawah and in Baynunah revealed Prehistoric villages, that indicate long period of human occupation of the area. On the island of Marawah excavations have revealed one of the earliest stone-built villages in the Arabian Gulf.  According to the researchers, remains of the constructions from Neolithic era reveal the influential role of the site in early long-distance maritime trade. Archaeologists unearthed a structure with three joining stone-built rooms, a kind of architecture never been found before in the region. Radiocarbon dating of the deposits showed that the village dates back more than 7500 years.

Aerial view of archaeological structures (by Emirates News Agency)

Archaeologists also discovered hundreds of artefacts used by the site’s inhabitants 7500 years ago. These finds allowed to establish that the ancient people herded sheep and goats, and used stone tools to hunt and butcher other animals, like gazelles. They also used to sea for food, which is indicated by large amounts of fish, dugong, turtle and dolphin bones. The researchers also discovered very fine, small beads, possibly ancient jewellery, made from shell and a small shark’s tooth, which had been very carefully drilled. Moreover, a a complete and highly decorated ceramic jar was found, manufactured in Iraq and possibly imported to the site. Skeletons of two individuals were also discovered. Both in a crouched position with the head facing towards the east. This form of burial is typical of other known Late Stone Age burials, such as those known from Jebel Buhais site in Emirate of Sharjah. The analysis of the skeletons are scheduled.

Flint blade (by Emirates News Agency)

The Prehistoric people area also believed to hunt wild camels, as numerous fragments of bones were documented across the site. Possibly 6500 years ago the animals were lured to wet ground at Baynunah, where they would lose their footing and eventually become trapped and killed. The discovery of a flint arrowhead inside the rib cage of one of the wild camels provides evidence for hunting and the tools used. This is the earliest evidence for mass hunting of wild camels in the Near East.

(after Emirates News Agency)

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