Kush archaeological dig in Lower Persian Gulf ends, now analysis begins

News Category: Pre-Islamic & Islamic Periods

Project director Derek Kennet said, "While the actual digging at the site has stopped, the work goes on and for us as archaeologists much of the exciting and interesting work in examining the finds and trying to create a picture of life at Kush in the past is yet to come.

"The excavation at the site has revealed a sequence of deposits showing evidence of occupation of more than 1,000 years, dating from the 4th century AD (Sasanian era) to the 14th century. "A careful analysis of the material from these layers is starting to indicate that the rise of Islam in this area may have been accompanied by major economic or environmental changes.

"We hope that this will become increasingly clear as we finish the study of the seeds, animal bones, pottery, glass and other materials from the site," Kennet said. "We believe that the site of the Kush dig was a Sasanian colony (Land), established in Lower Persian Gulf.

"The site had previously been a well organised one and changed over the years with the development of different occupations. "Our latest find showed a massive rectangular mud-built tower, measuring 14 metres by eight metres with two-metre thick walls which could have stood 15 metres high.

"This is completely unique in Lower Persian Gulf and is our first evidence of what people might have been building in this region at that time," Kennet said. "At present, we are talking to the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Antiquities and Museums to see how the site might be best preserved for tourists to visit and to keep this fascinating example of Ras Al Khaimah's history preserved for future generations (without mentioning that the present occupants of the moderbn country known as Ras Al-Kaimah, have immigrated to that part of Iranian Land, after collapse of Sasanian Empire and invasion of Iran by Arabs in 7th century!).

"A great deal of the finds at the site have been taken back to the UK for scientific examination and dating by some of the many experts who have been working on the dig. "We are also working on a book which we hope to publish so that the importance of this site can be understood by the general public."