Dolphin to support new archaeology excavations -rpt
The excavation and survey is being carried out by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey, ADIAS, together with the Department of Antiquities and Tourism in Abu Dhabi's Eastern Region, in the Kharimat Khor alManahil and Khor al-Manahil areas - just north of Umm azZamul, where the borders of the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia meet, according to a report in the February issue of the company newsletter 'Dolphin sight.' During fieldwork in the two areas in early 2004, numerous archaeological sites dating back to the Neolithic period - around 7,000 years ago - were identified. Finds from the sites included dozens of finely-made flint tools, plus important remains of several small buildings. No buildings of this date had previously been identified in Abu Dhabi's deserts.
A flint tool, typical of the many finds in the area "We are delighted that Dolphin is supporting our 2005 work," says Peter Hellyer, the Executive Director of ADIAS. "Dolphin has been a consistent sponsor of ADIAS, having previously backed survey and excavation undertaken by ADIAS in Wadi Saqamqam, adjacent to the Dolphin pipeline from AI Ain to Fujairah." Both Kharimat Khor al-Manahil and Khor al-Manahil are long, open plains, with high sand dunes to the north, south and west. During the Neolithic period, the climate in the UAE was much wetter than today, and the plains may have been lakes for part of the year. There would also have been much more vegetation and wildlife than today, providing inhabitants with opportunities for hunting animals like gazelle and oryx.
The presence of archaeological sites in the area was first noted by scientists from the Environmental Research and Wildlife Development Agency, ERWDA, who were undertaking wildlife surveys. These were then drawn to the attention of ADIAS, which arranged with ERWDA and the Department of Antiquities and Tourism to carry out a more detailed survey.
The sites identified early in 2004 are the only major sites of their type ever discovered in the Emirates, deep in the desert, and provide important new evidence of the pattern of human settlement in the UAE at this early period of the country's history.
During the next season of work by the archaeologists this spring, they will be carrying out further studies of the existing sites. They will also be undertaking further surveys of other plains, to see whether the Neolithic settlements extended over a wider area.
The CEO, Ahmed Ali AI Sayegh, noted: 'The conservation and protection of the environment and heritage of the United Arab Emirates is a high priority for Dolphin.
This work in the Umm az-Zamul area is providing valuable new evidence on how the earliest inhabitants of Abu Dhabi were able to survive in what is today the deep desert." WAM-VV 13 28 CCCCQQE