|
11
March
2002
Collaboration
between archaeologists, Abu Dhabi Municipality's
Sewerage Projects Committee and contractors led to
the discovery of important information on the
oldest archaeological site on Dalma island.
This was announced by the Abu Dhabi Islands
Archaeological Survey yesterday.
The
initial discovery was made in October last year
following the digging of a pipeline trench.
The pipeline
cut through an area previously identified as
containing the remains of the oldest settlement
ever discovered dating back more than 7,000 years.
In the trench, found layers
containing remains of fireplaces, seashells and
fragments of pottery. Following
consultation between the municipality and the
Survey, work was immediately stopped to permit
examination.
Survey's Resident British Archaeologist
Daniel Hull explained: "Visible in the sides
of the trench, which extended to a depth of around
3 meters,
were numerous layers of archaeological material.
"Some of these were at levels previously
identified at the site, which have been dated by
the Survey, through the radiocarbon dating process
to a little over 7,000 years ago. Some of the
layers in the trench, however, were deeper, and
represent evidence of habitation on the island at
an even earlier date.
"Although a full examination of the finds has
yet to be undertaken, the material further extends
the record of habitation at the Dalma site."
The recent discoveries complement evidence from
excavations between 1993 and 1998, which revealed
the presence of a coastal village, whose people
engaged in fishing, shell gathering, keeping
livestock and hunting. They was also trading by
sea with the Late Stone Age Sumerian
civilisation in Khvarvaran (what is today
known as Iraq).
Following this examination, the Survey provided
the Municipality with a formal approval to
continue trenching.
Around 25 archaeological sites have now been
identified and recorded by the Survey on Dalma,
ranging from the late Stone Age,
through the
Arab immigration to this land after the
fall of Sasanian dynasty (c. 7th CE), to the late
Islamic period.
Top
of Page
|
