Oldest Pearling Town Found in Umm Al Quwain in UAE
- Publish date: Monday، 20 March 2023
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According to Archaeologists in the UAE, the oldest pearling town has been discovered in Umm Al Quwain.
The Umm Al Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology said that the digging events which took place this year have unrevealed proof of a prosperous settlement that existed 1,300 years ago. The site contained numerous houses and was home to several thousand people.
Archaeologists have discovered artifacts in a town located on Siniyah Island in Umm al-Quwain that is believed to have been inhabited by thousands of people and contained hundreds of homes. These artifacts date back to the late 6th century and represent the pre-Islamic history of the region. Although references to older pearling towns exist in historical texts, this discovery marks the first time that archaeologists have identified a physical site from this ancient era across the countries of the Persian Gulf.
This discovery spots light on the hard life of the pearl trade and how these early communities faced hardships while trading into global trade networks. It further raises inquiries about the reasons behind the decision of monks to establish their monastery in such close proximity to the pearl trade.
“This is a discovery of major significance for the history of Umm Al Quwain, the UAE and the wider Arabian Gulf,” stated Sheikh Majid bin Saud Al Mualla, chairman of the emirate’s Department of Tourism and Archaeology.