New plan to restore historic Al Ain sites

The Department of Antiquities and Tourism (DAT) has formulated a new annual plan for archaeological excavations and restoration of historic sites and buildings in Al Ain.

The plan will come into effect from the excavation season of 2002-03, with special focus on the archaeological sites in north and west of Al Ain.

The department made new archaeological discoveries at these sites last season. Human settlements dating back to 5000 BC, to the Stone and Bronze Ages, were discovered there. The excavated objects include spearheads which provide clues on the age of the sites.

"The findings date back to the Stone, Bronze and Iron Ages and were made in the Bidda Bint Saoud and Wadi Al Hammam areas of Al Ain," said Mohammed Amer Mur Al Nayadi, Director of the DAT.

He said that the plan for the new season is comprehensive, and a team of archaeologists is preparing to implement the programme. Another team, which will include French and UAE experts, will be excavating several tombs in the Hili Archaeological Park.

The teams will be given the task of documenting the sites, new finds and their significance, and preparing detailed maps to protect these sites from new civic developments.

The documents and maps will be handed over to Al Ain Municipality and the Town Planning Department. The excavation programme also covers restoration of historic buildings and monuments in various districts of Al Ain.

"It's a continuous effort and the department has dealt with valuable old buildings, special houses, markets, sites, palaces and forts since 1979, as a task given to it by President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan," said Al Nayadi.

The department has already restored five old forts in the Liwa area in the Western region. Work on old mosques in the Al Qatara and Jimi districts, Seijia Fort in Al Dhahra area and the Maowji Palace will be completed this year.

Restoration of Anka and Jabbana Forts in Liwa Oasis are also part of the programme.

Al Nayadi said the department was ready with the necessary expertise, experience and equipment for the restoration of old buildings and conducting archaeological excavations.

"We are also working hard to find out more about the ancient cultures that existed in the region and preserve the discovered archaeological sites and artifacts and buildings," he added.

Since the inception of the DAT, the director said, UAE and foreign archaeological teams have been collaborating to uncover the ancient past of the region and provide new exhibits.