Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism has announced the discovery of a burial site dating back to the Wadi Suq period and the Late Bronze Age, around 2000–1300 BC, at the Qattara archaeological site in Al Ain. The find opens new perspectives on the social and cultural transformations that shaped the region in prehistoric times.
The discovery offers deeper insight into the continuity of cultural practices and the ability of ancient communities in the Arabian Peninsula to adapt and innovate. It also adds to the understanding of Al Ain’s long civilisational legacy and underlines its importance as a UNESCO World Heritage site that played a central role in the emergence and development of civilisations over thousands of years.
A site of exceptional archaeological richness
Qattara is regarded as one of the most significant archaeological sites in the UAE, known for its exceptional richness and wide range of historical evidence. Over the years, it has yielded a series of major discoveries from different periods, including collective tombs from the Wadi Suq period and later tower tombs.
The latest find stands out for its remarkable state of preservation and exceptional architectural style. It was built using stone blocks reused from earlier funerary structures dating to the Umm Al Nar civilisation, around 2700–2000 BC.
Insight into one of the earliest chapters of UAE history
محمد خليفة المبارك, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “This discovery provides a unique window into one of the earliest stages of the history of the United Arab Emirates, allowing us a deeper understanding of the communities that lived on this land and helped shape its cultural identity. These archaeological discoveries reaffirm the importance of continuing our efforts to preserve and protect cultural heritage, and to strengthen our connection with the foundational periods that shaped our society. They also invite future generations to draw inspiration from the values of resilience, adaptability and initiative that formed an essential part of human history in this region. Through the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s commitment to safeguarding and preserving the emirate’s cultural legacy, we continue to uncover the stories of this land and share them with the world, enhancing awareness of its human and civilisational value.”
An underground tomb used for centuries
Excavations uncovered an underground tomb measuring nearly 11 metres in length and 2.5 metres in width, which was used to bury hundreds of individuals over at least 1,000 years, from the Wadi Suq period through to the Iron Age.
The entrance, believed to have faced east, may have allowed sunlight to enter the tomb during funerary rituals, in a symbolic reference to renewal and the continuity of life. Archaeologists also found a large stone door weighing more than 200 kilogrammes, reshaped from an earlier monument, creating a symbolic barrier between the world of the living and that of the ancestors.
Funerary objects and scientific analysis
The excavation also produced a rich collection of funerary finds, including pottery vessels, weapons and personal adornments, offering important evidence about the social practices and beliefs of the period.
These discoveries, together with the human remains, are now being studied by archaeologists and osteology specialists 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 communities.
Preserving Al Ain’s enduring legacy
This important discovery reinforces the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi’s mission to protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of the emirate. It also strengthens Al Ain’s standing as an ancient civilisational centre that has helped shape the region’s history over thousands of years.
The artefacts discovered in the Late Bronze Age tomb will be displayed in Abu Dhabi museums, giving the public the chance to explore this pivotal chapter in the history of the United Arab Emirates and learn more about its human and cultural dimensions.