ADIAS to help Clean-Up Arabia
ABU DHABI, 15 Sep, 04 (WAM)- Divers and other volunteers taking part
in the Clean-Up Arabia 2004 campaign this Friday are to receive a special
briefing on how to recognise underwater archaeological sites and material.
The Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey, ADIAS, is collaborating
with the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, ERWDA,
to ensure that those taking part in the clean-up of the beach and inshore
areas at Abu Dhabi's port of Mirfa are given information on how to recognise
sites and material, and what to do if they find them.
The ADIAS Senior Resident Archaeologist, Dr. Mark Beech, will be taking
part in the Mirfa clean-up. He will provide the divers and other volunteers
with an outline of archaeological material that may be present below the
high tide mark, including that to be found in shallow inshore waters.
He will also identify any material that might be collected.
Mirfa has been an important port for coastal fishermen for generations,
and items that may occur include broken pieces of pottery and stone anchors,
once used by fishing boats.
"The coastal inhabitants of Abu Dhabi have made their living from the
sea for at least 7,000 years," according to Peter Hellyer, the ADIAS Executive
Director. "Many archaeological sites have been found on the coast and
islands. In some areas, such as on the island of Marawah, sites and pottery
have been found on the shores, below the high tide mark, and there may
be others in shallow inshore waters. By taking part in this clean-up campaign,
we hope to inform divers and others how to recognise and record these
aspects of the country's cultural heritage." Clean-Up Arabia 2004 is jointly
organised by the Emirates Diving Association (EDA) and ERWDA, in association
with the United Nations Environment Programme � Regional Office of West
Asia / UNEP - ROWA. The event is backed by both the Australian 'Clean
Up the World' campaign and the USA based 'International Coastal Cleanup'
and PADI PROJECT A.W.A.R.E.. The objective is to clean rubbish from the
beaches and from inshore sites popular with local divers.
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