Ancient Christian Cross Discovered at an Abu Dhabi Island

Archaeologists from Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism have uncovered a 1,400-year-old Christian cross moulded on stucco on Sir Bani Yas Island, marking a significant milestone in the emirate’s archaeological resurgence.

The find emerged from renewed excavations that began in January at a long-studied church and monastery site on the island’s eastern side. 

The cross, measuring approximately 27 cm in length, 17 cm in width, and 2 cm in thickness, was discovered face-down within courtyard houses that are thought to have housed monks. When flipped over, it revealed a beautifully preserved image—possibly placed on a wall and revered by worshippers. 

Its design is richly detailed, incorporating regional motifs such as a representation of Golgotha, floral elements, and niche framing, echoing artistic parallels from the Gulf and Mesopotamia. 

“This discovery … is a powerful testament to the UAE’s profound and enduring values of coexistence and cultural openness,” stated Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism, reflecting the find’s importance in highlighting the region’s shared heritage. 

Sir Bani Yas Island, now a serene reserve home to gazelles and other wildlife, has been known since 1992 as the site of a 7th–8th century Christian monastery, with evidence of a flourishing monastic community, courtyard dwellings, and evidence of trade stretching across the Arabian Gulf. 

Archaeologists speculate that the newly excavated buildings housed senior monks in retreat, perhaps for meditation or periods of solitude or served as spiritual sanctuaries for affluent Christians. Features like thick stone walls, water cisterns, and traces of lamp use suggest a deliberate and refined habitational design. 

With this latest discovery, archaeologists plan further analysis, including radiocarbon dating and additional digs, to deepen understanding of the site. The existing church and monastery are already safeguarded under protective shelters, and a visitor center nearby showcases past finds such as chalices and a scorpion motif seal, offering the public a window into Abu Dhabi’s ancient fabric. 

This ancient Christian cross thus not only offers a tangible link to the UAE’s pre-Islamic religious history, but also underscores the enduring legacy of cultural plurality woven into the region’s past and present.