ABU DHABI: Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) has announced that it will present the second talk in the current Multaqa Zayed National Museum series at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, on April 26.
The talk, entitled “The Archaeological Story of the United Arab Emirates”, will explore the history of archaeology in the UAE and will feature Eisa Yousif, Director of Excavation and Archaeological Sites, Sharjah Archaeology Authority, and Peter Magee, Head of Archaeology at TCA Abu Dhabi.
The story of archaeology in the UAE began in the 1950s with the excavation of Bronze Age tombs on Umm an-Nar Island by Danish teams at the personal invitation of Shaikh Shakhbut Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, then ruler of Abu Dhabi. Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan took a keen interest in the archaeologists’ work and accompanied his brother Shaikh Shakhbut to the site.
Shaikh Zayed understood the importance of unearthing the UAE’s unique and interesting past and encouraged archaeological excavations in Abu Dhabi and across the emirates. His encouragement led to the flourishing of archaeological study in the UAE, revealing its rich ancient heritage.
The final discussion in the series will take place on Wednesday, May 10, at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and will reveal ‘The Rituals of Majlis and Gahwa’, exploring Majlis rituals and the historical roots of Gahwa preparation, serving and drinking. The talk will explore the history of social Emirati hospitality, one of the most important intangible heritage elements that was inscribed on the Unesco list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2015.
— WAM
