Archaeologists discover almost 9,000-year-old buildings in UAE

During excavations on the island of Gaga, west of Abu Dhabi, archaeologists found the ruins of ancient buildings that are over 8,500 years old. This was reported by The National newspaper on Thursday, February 17.

In the course of the analysis, scientists found that the buildings were erected at least 500 years earlier than the buildings, which until now were considered the oldest in the Emirates. Thus, the title of the oldest monument of local architecture passed from the settlements on the island of Marawa to the last find.

In addition to the remains of buildings, archaeologists have found numerous artifacts, including arrowheads, as well as traces of a 5,000-year-old burial site. According to experts, funeral rituals were carried out on the ruins of an abandoned settlement, which nevertheless retained a certain cultural status.

Thanks to recent excavations, scientists have been able to learn more about the settlement of the region. Previously, it was believed that the development of the territory took place mainly in the Neolithic era, when the network of sea trade routes began to actively expand. Now it has become clear: people appeared here much earlier, and it was “an advanced society that for thousands of years only strived for progress.”

According to Mohamed Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, such discoveries strengthen the understanding of history and shed light on events of ancient times.

“It is vital to continue to seek, preserve and protect our priceless heritage for present and future generations,” he added.

Earlier, on January 31, archaeologists discovered a family tomb with 30 mummies in the city of Aswan in Egypt. Unlike other tombs located near the mausoleum of the Aga Khan, this one was not found underground, but inside a man-made cavity in the rock, which was also used as a place for sacrifices.