Al Ain – On 26th March, and during the Year of Zayed, the Archaeology Conference 2018 convened in Al Ain at the Danat Al Ain Resort, with a host of thought leaders and esteemed practitioners in the field of archaeology.

Exploring recent discoveries and evaluating their importance to understand UAE history, the conference discussed critical topics such as conservation, the investigation of sites, and how the archaeology of ancient times relates to the development of the country.

On 26 March, the opening session was chaired by Dr. Peter Magee, Head of Archaeology at the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), and discussed the palaeo-environment and early human settlements in Abu Dhabi and the Arabian Gulf. New evidence for a series of Late Miocene Proboscidean trackways showed how elephants walked in Abu Dhabi’s Al Dhafra region. The session also discussed the Holocene relative sea-level variations along the Arabian Gulf and the archaeobotanical evidence found in the Arabian Peninsula.

The second session, chaired by Omar Al Kaabi, Historic Buildings Unit Head, DCT Abu Dhabi, explored recent discoveries in the Neolithic site of Umm Al Quwain and Marawah Island, as well as the evidence found of the Neolithic camel hunters in Baynunah in Abu Dhabi.

Second day of the conference kicked off with the third session, chaired by Salama Al Shamsi, Senior Project Manager, Zayed National Museum, which discussed the importance of archaeology as part of the upcoming museum, as well as the origins of the archaeological fieldwork and its roots in the UAE’s recent history.

The fourth session, chaired by Derek Kennet, explored discoveries from the Bronze Age in Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah.

The conference is an opportunity for professional archaeologists working in the UAE, the Gulf region, and across the world, to network, share information about their projects and research, as well as attend presentations by historians, architectural historians and conservators.

The agenda will focus on the palaeo-environment and early human settlements in the Gulf region, the Neolithic in the UAE, the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in the archaeology of the UAE, discoveries from the Bronze and Iron Ages in the UAE, and conservation planning and traditional architecture.

The conference will conclude its final sessions on Friday, 28th March.

For more information on the conference, please contact secretariat@dctarchaeology2018.ae 

About The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi conserves and promotes the heritage and culture of Abu Dhabi emirate and leverages them in the development of a world-class, sustainable destination of distinction that enriches the lives of visitors and residents alike.  The Department manages the emirate’s tourism sector and markets the destination internationally through a wide range of activities aimed at attracting visitors and investment.  Its policies, plans and programmes relate to the preservation of heritage and culture, including protecting archaeological and historical sites and to developing museums, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.  The Department of Culture and Tourism supports intellectual and artistic activities and cultural events to nurture a rich cultural environment and honour the emirate’s heritage.  A key role played by the Department is to create synergy in the destination’s development through close co-ordination with its wide-ranging stakeholder base. http://dctabudhabi.ae

© Press Release 2018