Four Archaeological Sites Just a Drive Away from Dubai: Explore Bronze-Age Tombs and Ancient Trading Routes

In 2021, the U.A.E. marked its 50th anniversary, hosted the postponed Expo 2020 Dubai, and unveiled the ambitious Museum of the Future, showcasing the nation’s forward-thinking vision.

However, the U.A.E. is also turning its gaze towards its ancient heritage, with numerous sites across the nation unveiling lost stories and enduring mysteries for inquisitive travelers.

Saruq Al-Hadid

Mansour Boraik, a leading archaeology expert in Dubai, reveals that the 2002 unearthing of this Bronze Age site in the emirate's desert transformed our understanding of ancient southern Arabian life. Boraik states, "Previously, it was believed that five thousand years ago, people relocated to coastal areas for fishing and trading. However, Saruq Al-Hadid was actually a lush oasis where inhabitants hunted and settled." This site, occupied from the third millennium B.C. until the Iron Age, yielded an astonishing variety of artifacts—over 12,000 items, including daggers, seals, gold jewelry, and intriguingly, numerous metal snakes. These discoveries are showcased at the Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum on Dubai Creek.

Jebel Hafit Desert Park

Al Ain, located in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has served as a vital desert oasis for thousands of years. It is home to Abu Dhabi's tallest mountain, Jebel Hafit, and the newly opened Jebel Hafit Desert Park, which highlights the diverse communities that have lived in the region. Well-marked hiking paths lead visitors to 122 beehive-shaped stone tombs created by semi-nomadic Bronze Age inhabitants over 5,000 years ago. While archaeologists have investigated many, others may still hold undiscovered treasures; Mesopotamian ceramics found here indicate that Al Ain was part of an ancient trade route. The tombs are most stunning in the warm glow of the early morning—experience the desert sunrise after a night spent in one of the park's dome tents. For a satisfying meal, options are available at the onsite food truck, or for an authentic desert experience, grill your dinner over a personal firepit.

Jumeirah Archaeological Site

Nestled in this coastal Dubai neighborhood are the ruins of a ninth-century city, the oldest early-Islamic site uncovered in the U.A.E. Visit the newly established Jumeirah Archaeological Site visitor center to view artifacts from the excavation, including carnelian beads, glazed jars, and silver coins, before embarking on a guided buggy tour through the remains of a marketplace, mosque, and the city's first "hotel"—a millennium-old caravanserai serving traders from Oman, Persia, and beyond. The onsite Arabian Tea House is the perfect place to enjoy a sweet karak chai while pondering the lingering mysteries, particularly regarding the source of fresh water for the inhabitants, as no wells or springs have ever been discovered.

Mleiha Archaeological Center

Nestled among the undulating red dunes of Sharjah, the emirate located just north of Dubai, lies a region rich in history. Archaeological discoveries in Mleiha date back 130,000 years, suggesting it may have been one of the initial sites where modern humans arrived after leaving Africa. The remarkable archaeological center displays these artifacts alongside items from the later Neolithic, Bronze, and Iron Ages, featuring flint tools from the sixth millennium B.C., Bronze Age red-coral necklaces, and ancient foreign coins from the first century. A four-wheel-drive adventure will take you to a rocky area filled with fossilized marine gastropods, followed by an opportunity to stargaze through a high-powered telescope from a private Bedouin-style tent. It's truly a journey through time.

A version of this story first appeared in the October 2021 issue of Dinogo under the headline Digging Deep.