Glazed jar from Hellenistic era found in Al Ain

Abu Dhabi: A glazed pottery jar from the Hellenistic period and part of an extension of a falaj (ancient watering system), was found recently in the divider of a road in the city centre of Al Ain.

Workers from Al Ain Municipality made the discovery while they were working at a construction site in the middle of a road located to the west of Shaikha Salama mosque which is being re-built.

An archeological team from the Historical Environment Department of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) visited the site and carried out an extensive survey of the area. They found other pottery pieces from the late Islamic period in layers of the falaj from the same period, in addition to other pottery from the Umm Al Nar civilisation.

"The discovery is very important; for the first time such a jar has been found in Al Ain. Findings from the Hellenistic period were found before in Mliha in Sharjah and Al Dour in Umm Al Quwain in 1995," Mohammad Al Nyadi, Director of the Historical Environment Department of ADACH told Gulf News.

The jar found is of the Amphora kind that dates back to the Hellenistic civilisation during which the Greek culture mixed with the Eastern civilisation following Alexander the Great's occupation of many areas of the ancient East.

This civilisation existed in the UAE during early third century BC and lasted for several centuries.

"Many individuals played a vital role in reporting findings that led to great discoveries. Constant cooperation between ADACH and the society is required to preserve the cultural heritage of Abu Dhabi" Al Nyadi said.

The ADACH also rewards people who report archeological finds.