Al Ain conference highlights Arab world's historical contributions

Al Ain: The Arab region has always been an important tributary in the creation of civilised world and has played a key role in communication and bridging the relationships between people, places, and cultures, said a senior UAE functionary.

"The UAE and the region are full of tangible evidences of pre-historic civilisation. Archaeological attractions and antiquities are the riches of the past that are not only linked with the present but also highlight the history and inspire people to learn from," added Mohammad Khalaf Al Mazroui, Advisor for Culture and Heritage at the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Al Mazroui, who is also the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH), was speaking at the Archaeology of the UAE conference being in Al Ain.

He said archaeological sites contain a wealth of priceless treasures of a historical, civil, cultural and even economic nature. The two-day event has been organised by ADACH.

Al Mazroui said the authority has adopted a comprehensive vision that aims to safeguard both our tangible and intangible heritage. "Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the first to take the initiative and direct Danish archaeologists to the great Hili Tomb in 1962," he said.

This is considered to be the most important tomb ever discovered in the Umm Al Nar civilization. "It is estimated to be about 4,500 years old and has become a symbol of archaeological sites in Abu Dhabi, representing the pre-historical ages of the Gulf." Today, the tangible heritage in the country includes more than 1,200 archaeological sites dating from 3,000 BC to the late Pre-Islamic period, he added.

The authority has harnessed its capabilities in order to organise a comprehensive programme of archaeological work, and is striving to develop the procedures necessary to oversee surveying and exploration projects and site restoration. "It is conducting this work in scientifically researched ways, in accordance with international standards," he noted.

He said: "With international cooperation I hope that our cultural work, which is aimed at safeguarding human civilization as a whole, will be promoted."

Researchers and experts from different countries are attending the conference and they presented a number of papers highlighting the most recent results of scientific finds.

Jesse Casana of the University of Arkansas and Hussain Qandil from the Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing presented the results of the recent archaeological investigations at two desert sites of Dubai including Saruq Al Hadid and Al Ashoosh.

Meanwhile, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) has yesterday (Wednesday) re-launched the UAE journal of archaeology to promote public interest in the field.

Officially named as Archaeology of the United Arab Emirate, the journal will serve as a tool for people interested in latest archaeological surveys, excavations, and research results.

All the previous volumes of this journal now could be downloaded for free in both Arabic and English languages from its website http://www.adach.ae/en/portal/archaeologyintheuae.journal.aspx.