Jumeirah: Digging up the past

The white sails flutter in the wind as the dhow glides slowly into port.

Excitement fills the air as the townsfolk gather around the port, questions written all over their faces.

They wonder where in the world has this vessel come from.

And what marvels does the ship behold? What exotic goods does it carry? What incredible stories of strange lands and stranger creatures does its sailors bring with them?

This could very well be a scene from life a few hundred years ago in the place most residents and visitors now know as Jumeirah.

Nestled between the villas of Jumeirah 2 is a peculiar fenced-off plot with only a sign at the gate that reads: ‘Jumeirah Archaeological Site'.

Though many have been curious, only a few know that this 80,000-square-metre area holds the relics of a 1,000-year-old trading port.

Only nine structures of that old city have managed to survive Dubai's massive glass-and-metal development.

"This was a large city. We believe it spread from the beach to Al Safa Park and all the way down to where the Iranian Hospital is now," said Hussain Qandil, a Professor of Archaeology at the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM).

The agency, which is in charge of the area, has been excavating at the site since 1993.

The site was originally explored in 1969 by a team from the American University of Beirut.

Work was carried on by an Iraqi archaeological team in 1974 when the first buildings and artefacts were discovered. "We have since found two other sites of the city nearby and have fenced them off. But we've not begun excavating those yet," said Qandil.

Seven structures have been excavated and identified, including a souq, a workshop that was later turned into a mosque and a caravanserai or inn.

The most beautiful structure is a large residential building, which is believed to be the Ruler's House.

"Last year, we found two other structures and began excavating them, but we haven't identified their purpose yet.

"This was definitely a trading port because we've found Abbasid-era currency, pottery from southern Iraq and terracotta and stonecraft from China.

"This tells us that there was a period when this place was abandoned," Qandil said.

Many of the artefacts are currently on exhibit at the Dubai Museum in Bur Dubai.

Officials said the archaeological site will be opened to the public soon.

Jumeirah