Baghdad: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced the discovery of a cemetery dating back to the Wadi Suq period and the Late Bronze Age (circa 2000-1300 BCE) at the Qattara Archaeological Site in Al Ain. This significant discovery opens new avenues for understanding the social and cultural transformations that the region witnessed during prehistoric times.
According to National Iraqi News Agency, this important archaeological find provides profound insights into the continuity of cultural practices and the ability of ancient societies in the Arabian Peninsula to adapt and innovate. It also contributes to enhancing our understanding of the rich cultural heritage of the Al Ain region and reinforces its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site that played a pivotal role in the emergence and development of civilizations over thousands of years.
The Qattara Archaeological Site, renowned for its exceptional richness and diverse historical evidence, is one of the most prominent archaeological sites in the United Arab Emirates. Over the decades, it has yielded a series of important discoveries from various historical periods, including collective burials from the Wadi Suq period and tower tombs from later eras.
The recent discovery is distinguished by its exceptional state of preservation and unique architectural style. It was constructed using stone blocks repurposed from older funerary structures dating back to the Umm an-Nar culture (c. 2700-2000 BCE).
Excavations revealed an underground cemetery measuring approximately 11 meters long and 2.5 meters wide, used for the burial of hundreds of individuals over a period of at least 1,000 years, from the Wadi Suq period to the Iron Age. The eastward-facing design of the entrance likely allowed sunlight to penetrate the cemetery during funerary rites, a symbolic gesture associated with concepts of renewal and the continuity of life.
A massive stone doorway, weighing over 200 kilograms, was reconstructed from an older monument, forming a symbolic boundary between the worlds of the living and the ancestors. The excavations also yielded a rich collection of funerary artifacts, including pottery, weapons, and personal jewelry, providing valuable insights into the social practices and beliefs prevalent during this era.
These discoveries, along with the human remains, are undergoing specialized studies by archaeologists and osteologists at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, using the latest scientific techniques, including stable isotope analysis and ancient DNA analysis, to explore the lifestyles, health, mobility, and trade networks of ancient societies.