Sharjah’s stunning Mleiha region is steeped in ancient history. Its strategic location – between East Africa and South-West Asia – makes it a natural bridge between continents, with a rich anthropological past.
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Its unspoilt majesty was totally untapped until recent years, when a series of eco-tourism and hospitality projects dedicated to nature-inspired experiences began to be built in the area.
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One of these is Shurooq’s Moon Retreat – a mysterious-looking, celestial-inspired glamping site that is gearing up to open to guests in the first quarter of this year.
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Here, we take a look at some of the fascinating facts about this region, which make it an amazingly educational yet entertaining destination for families with kids, and should put it at the top of your bucket list for your next outdoor adventure in the UAE...
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IT’S WHERE THE FIRST HUMANS ARRIVED 130,000 YEARS AGO: Located southeast of Sharjah city and flanked by the Al Hajar mountain range, Mleiha is said to be the place where early humans crossed over from Africa across the Red Sea and into the Arabian Gulf over 130,000 years ago – before they moved onward to India, South Asia, Europe and beyond.
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IT SAVED OUR ANCESTORS FROM THE ICE AGE: It is presumed that a major climactic event such as the last Ice Age is what led ancient humans to migrate from Africa across the Red sea and into the Arabian Gulf – which at the time was a haven of plants and easy water access.
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IT’S TEEMING WITH ANCIENT TREASURE: This archaeological treasure trove is also one of the few sites outside of Africa where you can find relics from across five distinct archaeological and human history timelines — Paleolithic or Old Stone Age, Neolithic or New Stone Age, Bronze Age, Iron Age and late Pre-Islamic periods.
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ONE OF THE OLDEST TOOLS IN THE WORLD WAS FOUND THERE: The Mleiha Archaeological Centre developed by Shurooq is one of the biggest attractions of the region. There you can discover a hoard of incredible historical finds, including a stone tool made by hominins — precursors to Homo sapiens - one of the oldest tools made by humans found outside Africa.
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IT IS FULL OF CLUES TO THE HISTORY OF HUMANITY: The Mleiha region is bursting with relics from times gone by – from graves to pots, plates, coins and jewellery - offering archaeologists clues not just to the history of the UAE, but of the whole human race.
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YOU CAN VISIT THE PALACE OF AN ANCIENT CHEIFTAIN: Spread across the Mleiha archaeological area are amazing historical sites, including cave dwellings of the Paleolithic period, the palace of a ruler or chieftain dating back to 1st and mid-3rd centuries BCE – which shows evidence of having come under attack and been evacuated at short notice - and a farmhouse complex with a semi-subterranean kitchen with millstones and tandoor ovens.
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YOU CAN SEE A TREASURE-FILLED BRONZE AGE TOMB: Mleiha hosts a circular Bronze Age Umm an-Nar tomb, constructed around 2300 BCE, which is one of the largest from the Umm an-Nar period throughout the whole of the UAE and considered to be the most impressive grave building among the many funeral sites in Mleiha. This tomb was looted by grave robbers many years ago, but archaeologists still found six skeletons, as well as ancient necklaces, bracelets, beads, copper pins, rings, tools and weapons.
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IT'S GOT AN ADVENTUROUS SIDE: Apart from the archaeological treasures, the Mleiha Archaeological Centre also offers a host of adventure activities — including horse riding, desert bike tours, trekking and hiking, buggy adventures, and extreme off-road trips — to discover the spectacular beauty of the rugged Mleiha landscape and its magnificent ochre and amber hued dunescapes.
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IT USED TO BE UNDER THE SEA: Driving through the Mleiha region will take you to some of the unique, natural geographical formations found here such as the Fossil Rock – pushed up from the seabed 65 million years ago -which contains fossilised remains of marine creatures from that distant period.
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YOU CAN HUNT FOR MARINE CREATURES FROM 65 MILLION YEARS AGO: Fossil Rock is so-named because it is covered with the fossils of shells and small sea creatures that were on the ocean floor millions of years ago – you can easily find them on a trek in the area.
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IT HAS A CAMEL-SHAPED ROCK THAT BURST THROUGH THE EARTH’S CRUST: Camel Rock - a monolith in the shape of a camel and a vantage sunset gazing point - is a towering mountain made of the earth’s upper mantle that broke through the continental crust several millennia ago.
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IT’S AN AMAZING PLACE TO GO STARGAZING: With its low light pollution, and intriguing landforms such as the majestic Hajjar mountain range and the undulating sand dunes that illuminate under the night sky, Mleiha is said to be one of the best places in the UAE to enjoy the grandeur of a starry night.
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Shurooq often hosts full moon events, guided astronomy sessions, and star-gazing programmes in the heart of the Mleiha desert.
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YOU CAN CAMP THERE IN MOON-SHAPED TENTS: Inspired by this demand to observe celestial objects in their full glory, Shurooq’s minimal environment impact dome and tent structures have been named ‘Moon Retreat’.
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Children are welcome to stay at The Moon Retreat, and there will be a whole host of family activities and adventures on offer when it opens in the next few weeks.
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IT’S FREE TO VISIT: There is no entry fee to visit the Mleiha region. However, a visit to the Mleiha Archaeological Centre costs Dh25 for adults, Dh15 for children (from ages 3-10; free entry for 0-3), or Dh55 for a family ticket for two adults and three children.
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The family-friendly Moon Retreat is all set to welcome overnight guests – desert adventurers and glampers alike – in the first quarter of 2021 when the UAE’s weather conditions are ideal to enjoy the splendour of the archaeologically rich Mleiha region and the range of outdoor activities and nature-inspired experiences on offer. To make a booking, call Mleiha Reception on 06-8021111; Mleiha Sales and Bookings on 050-210 378; or write to info@discovermleiha.ae.
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