Early Abu Dhabi settlement 'was regional trade hub'

An ancient settlement has been discovered in Abu Dhabi's Western Region which dates back to the mid-Islamic period and was used by passing trading and other ships as a major stopover.

The site at Ras Ghumais peninsula, about 330 kilometres east of Abu Dhabi on the Saudi border, was discovered by Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS). Daniel Hull, Field Archaeologist at ADIAS, said: "The preliminary survey on the site, which adds another important chapter to Abu Dhabi's rich past, has almost been complete with the carbon dating completed, and pottery analysis is in the process."

The site was discovered by an ADIAS team in 1993 and the first phase of the survey was carried out last year to collect carbon samples and other material. The second phase of the survey was completed on April 9. "The collection of pottery fragments cover a number of periods, showing there were activities centuries before Islam," Hull said.

He said other evidence shows that the peninsula, which has a natural deep-sea harbour, was used as transit route for centuries. Among evidence dating back to the mid-Islamic period is an interesting structure used by ships and boats as a transit port.

"Evidence shows pre-Islamic and mid-Islamic occupation on the peninsula. The remains of the structure dating back to 1350 AD shows how important and rich the area was," he added.

Hull said the area also contains a huge amount of fish bones, which will be studied to find out about the diet of the people on the peninsula, now used for camel grazing only. "After analysing the bones, we will also be able to tell what types of fish the ancient people in the area ate centuries ago, and we may get much more older evidence," he said.

Dr Carter, ADIAS ceramic specialist from Institute of Archaeology, University College of London, said the shoreline of the peninsula had very rich fishing grounds.

Fish bone and other evidence also suggest that the area was associated with fishing or pearling, he said. "The huge pottery fragments suggest that the site was a permanent settlement in the mid-Islamic period, which might have also been used by passing ships as a transit route."

Carter said the site, due to its strategic position, could have also been used as a military post to protect the region. Evidence also suggests that the area was good for catching falcons, being a migrating route for the bird.

Carter said most of the mid-Islamic period pottery fragments found are the same kind as made in Ras Al Khaimah, which is also known as Julphar Ware. Other pottery fragments date back to centuries before Islam.

The ADIAS was established on the instructions of the President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to conduct archaeological investigations on the islands and the coast of Abu Dhabi.

It has identified major sites on a number of islands besides Ras Ghumais, including Dalma Island, Sir Bani Yas, Ghagha, north and south coast of Merawah and Balghelam. On Dalma Island, a team from ADIAS discovered a 7,000-year-old bowl made of plaster in 1999.

A two-member team discovered the unique bowl at an Ubaid settlement site on the premises of the Women's Association complex on Dalma Island. Other finds at the site include two round base-like structures, beads, carbonised date stones, shells, mammal and fish bones and flint tools.