Major Iron Age cemetery discovered in United Arab Emirates

By Betul Yilmaz

ISTANBUL (AA) – An ancient cemetery from the Iron Age was discovered in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), local media said on Monday.

Archaeologists from the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi uncovered a 3,000-year-old necropolis in the eastern Al-Ain region, the state news agency WAM reported.

The department said the discovery was the first major Iron Age cemetery in Abu Dhabi and “likely included over a hundred tombs with a treasure trove of goods.”

“This discovery promises to transform our understanding of the ancient Emirates,” said Jaber Saleh Al-Merri, Director of the Historic Environment Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism in Abu Dhabi.

“For years, the Iron Age burial traditions remained a mystery, but now we have tangible evidence that brings us closer to the people who lived here 3,000 years ago. It reinforces our efforts to preserve, promote, and protect Abu Dhabi’s heritage for future generations.”

The discovery came amid efforts to investigate prehistoric tombs in the Al-Ain region, which is home to four cultural sites inscribed on the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 2011.