Search by Popular Categories


  • Consumer

  • Commercial

  • Construction

  • Industrial

  • Oil & Gas

  • DIAMOND SPONSOR

CONSUMER NEWS

Huge ceramic jar found in Sharjah sheds light on ancient trade

Sep 21, 2022 11:37 AM

The largest Iron Age ceramic jar discovered recently in the UAE at Sharjah s Muwaileh archaeological site has shed light on a bustling trade scene during the first millennia BC. This fascinating find (estimated...

The largest Iron Age ceramic jar discovered recently in the UAE, at Sharjah’s Muwaileh archaeological site, has shed light on a bustling trade scene during the first millennia BC.
 
This fascinating find (estimated to be from 900 to 600 BC), recently added to displays at Sharjah Archaeology Museum, is part of a series of discoveries that suggests the area was part of the incense trade route between the southern Arabian Peninsula and Persia.
 
The jar, whose function is still under deliberation by archaeologists stands at 155 cm in height with a body  diameter of 141 cm and a rim diameter of  94 cm.
 
It was found inside a columned building measuring 10 x12 metres  within a large, fortified settlement at Muwaileh. The archaeological site also  includes many  houses built of mud brick similar to those found in other settlements of the period in the UAE.
 
Archaeologists believe the large jar was made inside the hall as the jar is larger than the doorways. Another theory suggests that the large pot was created first then the hall was built around it.
 
Surrounded by a number of annexes or rooms, the hall is the largest roofed building discovered at the archaeological site.
 
It perhaps served as the settlement’s executive and economic centre, a gathering place for the ruling elite or it was used to welcome guests resembling the function of today’s majlis.
 
Site excavations and analysis revealed that 20 date palm columns seated on stone bases were arranged in rows of four by five to support the large ceiling span.  Two further storage jars were also discovered set into the hall’s floor, in addition to more than 30 small bridge-spouted jars  found in an adjacent room, indicating it might have been a service room for the great hall.
 
Excavation work in the site unearthed many other items made of ceramic  and bronze, including a ceramic goblet and a domed incense cover featuring perforations, surmounted by a bull figurine.
 
The latest findings include a piece of ceramic  with three letters in  Sabaean, a South Arabian Language that dates to the 7th century BC and is the oldest language discovered in the UAE to date.
 
Commenting on the latest discovery, Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority, said: “I invite everyone to see this one-of-a-kind artefact at our museum as it best demonstrates the beauty of discovery and the remarkable feat undertaken by dedicated archaeologists and conservators that spent years piecing together numerous fragments without initially knowing what the finished vessel would look like.”
 
She added: “With seasonal expeditions over several years, the pieces were assembled and conserved to unveil the beauty of this enormous jar and its secrets. We greatly thank the work of the archaeological teams operating in Sharjah for their efforts to reveal our ancient history.”
 
Excavations in the area began in the 1990s, with an Australian expedition among the first to work on the site, followed by an American mission.  
 
Relentless efforts of excavators has led to the discovery of numerous findings that help shed light on the lives of people of  the UAE in the Iron Age (between 900 and 600 BC), during which the Falaj irrigation system was developed  to water crops helping the establishment of villages near to the mountains. - TradeArabia News Service
 
 
 
 

Premium Partners - consumer

CONSUMER NEWS

Consortium picked for world’s most advanced WtE IPP Mar 28, 2024 18:04 PM

EWEC (Emirates Water and Electricity Company) and Tadweer Group...

Sav-Desert Adventures deal open up diverse leisure services Mar 28, 2024 16:39 PM

Sav a leading financial technology company that has revolutionised...

Travelex wins Munich Airport tender Mar 28, 2024 14:29 PM

Travelex a market leading foreign exchange brand has won the tender...

Former LGH Vice President returns in senior role Mar 28, 2024 12:19 PM

Langham Hospitality Group (LHG) has welcomed back its Vice President...

New Agoda initiative matches travellers with hotels Mar 28, 2024 09:32 AM

Leveraging the power of popular searches digital travel platform...

Nissan’s The Arc to drive growth and electrify markets Mar 27, 2024 17:55 PM

Nissan will step up its electrification and growth plans across...