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The Dawn of History exhibition at Abu Dhabi

The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage (ADACH) is organising an exhibition next to the Al Jahili Fort in Al-Ain City to highlight a historic excavation by Danish archaeologists in Abu Dhabi between 1958 and 1972. This exhibition will start next February, 2011 and is jointly produced by ADACH and Moesgård Museum.

Fort in Buraimi.HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of ADACH, said, "ADACH adopts a comprehensive view for Emirati culture and is preserving the tangible and intangible heritage of the region, while devoting many of it's resources to protect the architectural and archaeological assets of Abu Dhabi. This exhibition 'The Dawn of History' is a prime example of ADACH's work, and the Al Jahili Fort is an apt backdrop for such an event."

HE Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, pointed to the importance of continuing with a number of current and future archaeological projects, and the development of procedures to oversee archaeological restoration, surveying and excavation, using state-of-the-art research and scientific methods that are in accordance with international standards, while strengthening efforts to protect, manage and promote cultural heritage.

Sheikh Sultan explained that the Moesgård Museum had explored the archaeology and traditional cultures of the Gulf countries for almost 60 years in cooperation with the local authorities, underscoring the importance of highlighting the UAE civilisation which is highlighted in this exhibition.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage in the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director General of ADACH, said, "Shedding light on the historical excavation of Danish archaeologists in Abu Dhabi between 1958 and 1972 was part of the efforts to strengthen Emirati national identity and pride, while informing UAE citizens, residents and visitors of the rich history of Abu Dhabi."

Mazrouei stressed, "The preservation of the tangible heritage of Abu Dhabi and protecting it from disappearing is amongst one of the primary aims of ADACH's strategy, stemming from the Abu Dhabi Government."

"ADACH, in cooperation with all the relevant bodies, is studying policies for the protection of places of important cultural heritage to avoid any uncalculated expansion that would affect archaeological finds," he added.

Mazrouei explained, "The history of excavations made in Abu Dhabi by a team of 34 Danish archaeologists led by P.V. Glob and T.G. Bibby dates back to 1958 when they were invited to search for long vanished civilizations in the emirate, whose society had been deeply traditional back then. In the 1950s and 1960s, all finds were shipped to the museum in Århus to be conserved, recorded and studied. They were then returned to Abu Dhabi after the opening of the National Museum in Al-Ain in 1971."

The excavations in 1959-1961 provided the first glimpse of a time 4,000-5,000 years ago when this part of the Arabian Peninsula was at the centre of a vibrant, rich culture that managed the production and distribution of vast amounts of copper to the ancient world. This culture was named after the island: the Umm an-Nar culture.

The graves on Umm an-Nar, where many artefacts were unearthed, speak of the importance of unity in the clan or tribe.

Dr. Sami el Masri, Deputy Director-General for Arts, Culture and Heritage and Director of Strategic Planning and Development at ADACH, said, "That the strategy of ADACH is to ensure the role of museums are both an important educational and cultural tool, across all segments of Emirati society so that the history and significance of the deeply-rooted civilization of the United Arab Emirates is understood by all.

"ADACH has organised this exhibition, in collaboration with Denmark's Moesgård Museum, to highlight a number of the most important historical and archaeological sites in the region, including: Umm an-Nar settlement, the Hafit graves, Hili Grand Tomb, Hili Tower, and Qarn bint Saud."

Umm an-Nar settlement

The excavations at Umm an-Nar reveals a completely new civilization dating back to about 2400 B.C. Many traces of copper production and manufacturing were found.

The merchants of Umm an-Nar lived and traded in a well-organized world with several internationally recognized systems of weights and measures, including the Mesopotamian system. The trading colony was in close contact with the farming communities.

The people of Umm an-Nar lived a good life from hunting and fishing. They were hard workers as many bones show indications of hard labour in the form of muscle traces, fractures and wear, as would be expected in sailors and fishermen.

In 1958, Professor Glob first found tools made of flint in Umm an-Nar. Other Stone Age sites were later located at Jebel Hafit, Hili and Qarn Bint Saud. These rare finds are estimated to be five to eight thousand years old. They are some of the oldest traces of humans in Abu Dhabi.

The Hafit graves

In 1970, Karen Frifelt discovered that the pots in these graves were 5,000 years old and that they came from ancient Mesopotamia, present-day Iraq. The discovery was a proof of long-distance links between Abu Dhabi and the ancient cities of Mesopotamia at this very early time.

There was also proof that trepanation was practised at this early time. Similar trepanation procedures are known from India and Pakistan in the same period, indicating that ideas were exchanged in addition to goods.

Hili Grand Tomb

The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, may God bless his soul, then Governor of the Eastern Region, directed the Danish archaeologists to this monument in 1962. The size and the quality of the architecture and the excellent stone masonry make this the most magnificent burial in the Umm an-Nar culture. It is almost 4,500 years old. The monument has become an icon in Gulf prehistory and a symbol of Abu Dhabi's archaeology and heritage.

Hili Tower

It was from The Hili Tower that defence of this important oasis settlement was organized. In Mesopotamia, this land was called Magan, a country rich in copper and timber, hard stone and semi-precious stones.

Around the tower the excavators found pottery similar to that from the Hili Grand Tomb. This showed that the people buried in the tomb were the same ones who had built the tower.

Qarn bint Saud

In February 1970, the Danish team made an excursion to this rock and found it covered with stone graves. One of these yielded rich finds from the Iron Age.

In Rumaileh, a small excavation in 1968 indicated the presence of a settlement with remains of well preserved houses and pottery dating to the Iron Age, 900-600 BC.

Archaeologists Michael Beck and Bo Madsen came across the remains of another Iron Age settlement west of the rock of Qarn Bint Saud. Al-Ain museum later excavated this important site, where a 3,000-year-old subterranean irrigation channel, a falaj, was also found.

Source: AME Info [January 04, 2011]