More research papers presented at UAE Archaeology meet

Abu Dhabi, April 17, 2001 (WAM) -- The 1st International UAE Archaeology Conference, being held at the Abu Dhabi Inter-Continental Hotel, entered its third day today with a number of work papers being presented by Arab and foreign experts. The conference is being organised by the Zayed Centre for Heritage and History, affiliated to the Emirates Heritage Club, under the auspices of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister. In a session held this morning and chaired by Sir Donald Howley, British Commissioner to the UAE from 1958 to 1961, work papers were presented by a number of experts, including Dr. Geoffrey King (SOAS) and Peter Hellyer (ADIAS) who spoke on Islamic archaeology in the deserts of the Abu Dhabi emirate. Other experts who presented their work papers included Professor Tatsuo Sasaki and Dr. Hanae Sasaki from the Kanazawa University of Japan, Prof. Jennifer Price of the Durham University, Dr. Hussein Qandil from the Dubai Museum and Dr. Daniel Hull (SOAS) all of whom presented work papers on various topics of interest on archaeological findings and discoveries in many parts of the country. In another session, also held today and chaired by Dr. Mourad Ramah, Director of Centre Tunisia, Kairawan, Dr. Mark Beech of the York University in Britain, talked about the development of fishing in the UAE from the archaeological point of view, presenting a lot of evidence from archaeological excavations. Others who presented their work papers in this session include, Dr. Henrike Kiesewetter from the Tubingen University of Germany, Dr. Chris Mosseri-Marlio from London and Dr. Phillip Iddison from Al Ain. The conference, which ends later today, is expected to issue recommendations. Participants at the conference will go on tour of a number of archaeological sites in the country, including Jumeirah in Dubai, Muweileh in Sharjah and the Archaeology Museum, also in Sharjah. WAM/SA-VV