The UAE has a long history that was shaped over the centuries by the waters of the Arabian Gulf and the sands towards Rub Al Khali, also known as the Empty Quarter.
Little archaeological research was conducted in the Arabian Peninsula before World War II and only the remains in Yemen and Bahrain were studied. The first excavations in the UAE originally began in the late 1950s, when a Danish team of archaeologists investigated sites at Al Ain Oasis.
In 1992, a local archaeological team from the Directorate of Antiquities in Sharjah launched its first excavation in Khor Kalba and other parts of the emirate that are currently displayed in the new Archaeological Museum, which was inaugurated in May 1997 by His Highness Dr Shaikh Sultan Bin Mohammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.
The latest discovery of archaeological work tools dating as far back as the Old Stone Age came earlier last week, east of Sharjah near the Hajar Mountains.
The Hajar Mountains were created millions of years ago by geographical upheavals when continental plates collided, and the remains of the sea bed and rocks rich in minerals were folded together to create the jagged look that could be seen to date.
Involving local students
Excavations in Sharjah are done by three parties the local team from the Archaeological Department that works throughout the year, a joint collaboration team with foreign excavators, and foreign teams working on their own but under the supervision of the Archaeological Department.
"During summer, we do restoration work in excavated places, to preserve the parts that survived," said Professor Dr Sabah Jasem, Director of Archaeological Excavations at the Directorate of Antiquities. The Archaeological Museum works hand in hand with the Directorate of Antiquities, which is under the supervision of the Sharjah Museum Department.
"The Archaeological Museum does work with students on projects, and has coordinated with students from the School of Architecture at the American University of Sharjah to construct a new hall in the museum," said Dr Jasem, who added that volunteer work is not a common practice in the emirate since the foreign excavation groups bring their own volunteers.
The latest technology has been incorporated into the museum, to provide visitors with the adequate facilities to learn about the antiquities.
Several educational documentary films are shown in the various halls of the museum, in addition to the installation of computer sets that shows information on the displayed archaeological pieces. Magnified samples of archaeological pieces are also set up against the walls of the museum, to help all age groups see, feel and closely examine their details.
Museum display
Archaeology items are classified and displayed in the museum halls following a chronological order, starting with the earliest findings in Sharjah, up to the period preceding the advent of Islam.
The museum is divided into four stages, which covers the Stone Age, the Bronze Age, the Iron Age, and the first century AD.
The Stone Age (5000-3000 BC) section includes ornamental items, necklaces and pottery of Al Obaid period, which is thought to have originated in southern Iraq and has been found throughout the Middle East.
The pottery items were found in Al Hamriya district of Sharjah, which suggests that trade existed with Mesopotamia.
The Bronze Age (3000-1300 BC) section shows visitors the way of life during this period through a documentary film that shows archaeological items such as pottery, metals, soft stones and jewellery.
The Iron Age (1300-300 BC) section also has a documentary film showing many archaeological samples made of iron, pottery, and soft stones.
The fourth stage covers the period from 300 BC-611 AD, where models of burial methods and housing units are on display.
Exhibits include samples of weapons used at the time, such as arrow heads, spears, daggers and ornamentation items.
This period marks the appearance of writing in the region, which is represented in the Southern Musnad calligraphy and Aramiac writings that are on display.
Among the most important displays at the Archaeological Museum are those found in Maleiha, which are the mould for mintingmoney, as well as the horse that was found buried next to its owner with its bridle decorated with gold disks.
Worth a visit: Timings
- Daily: 9am to 1pm and 5pm to 8pm
- Fridays: 5pm to 8pm
- Closed on Sundays
- Entry: Adult Dh5, family Dh10
