Etisalat workers who found human bones while digging to lay cables in Jolan accidentally unearthed an old cemetery, experts have said.

Archaeological staff of Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, including Christian Velde, Imke Moellering and Ahmad Hilal, worked with Dr Ali Al Koubani, Police Consultant Forensic Pathologist, and came to this conclusion. The team has not yet been able to date the cemetery.

On finding the human skull and bones, workers alerted neighbours who informed police. Patrols took samples for forensic tests. Qasim Abdul Latif, a UAE national, said elders pointed out that the Portuguese massacred locals during the invasion. The bodies may have been buried there. Bones were also discovered in 1985.

The invasions began in 1506 and ended in 1747. Most of the skirmishes, including the last battle ending the invasion, took place in Old Julphar in Jolan. Dr Al Koubani said archaeologists studied the site and concluded it was an old cemetery.

Christian Velde, Resident Archaeologist at the Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, said experts who studied the bones and two skulls feel they are more than 100 years old.

Archaeologists of the museum said Etisalat workers while digging in the area earlier may also have unknowingly shifted some bones. This time, an attentive group noticed the bones. Dr Al Koubani said it has been proved that no crime was committed. More tests will be done on the skulls and bones to determine their origin.