UAE Ancient History Quiz

UAE in Ancient Times

• In 2019, archaeologists found 125,000-year-old artifacts in Sharjah, UAE, which is the oldest collection of scraping tools and hand axes discovered outside of Africa, suggesting humans left Africa earlier than previously thought.
• The world's oldest natural pearl was found on Marawah Island, UAE, and dates back to 5800-5600 BC, indicating pearl trade with ancient Mesopotamia.
• The Hajar Mountains, spanning from UAE to Oman, had rich copper deposits, which motivated trade with nearby civilizations, and the highest point in the country is Jebel Jais at 1,892 m.
• Saruq Al Hadid, discovered in 2002, is a site filled with stones that were by-products of large-scale metal production during the Iron Age.
• The Wadi Suq people, who populated UAE from 2,000 to 1,300 BCE, produced sophisticated weaponry, including long swords, bows, and arrows, made of bronze.
• The Battle of Dibba, which occurred after the death of The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), resulted in the deaths of 10,000 people, and their graves can still be seen.

Archaeological Discoveries

• In 2004, a resident of Dibba al Hisn found ancient pottery in his garden, leading to the discovery of a large ancient tomb, a pre-Islamic settlement, and Roman Empire artifacts.
• In 2015, a team from the University of Kanazawa in Japan found ceramic evidence of major trade that extends all the way to China.
• The ancient city of Julfar, discovered in 2010, was famous for its trade with Asia and Europe, and was one of the most prosperous areas in the world.
• In the early 1990s, a church and monastery were uncovered on Sir Bani Yas Island, showing that Christianity was present in the region as early as the 7th century CE.

UAE Under Imperialist Rule

• In the 16th century, the Portuguese launched a bloody conquest of coastal areas around Oman and the UAE, including Muscat, Sohar, and Khor Fakkan.
• The British launched military campaigns in the early 1800s to combat piracy, forcing local rulers into a truce and making the region a British protectorate until the 1970s.
• British oil companies began looking for oil deposits in the region in the early 1900s, leading to the first commercial discovery in 1958 at the Upper Thamama rock formation.
• Jacques Cousteau, a famous marine explorer, led one of the undersea surveys for oil and won the 1956 Cannes Film Festival's Palme d'Or for his documentary about his underwater discoveries.

Test your knowledge of the United Arab Emirates in ancient times, from the first humans out of Africa to the oldest natural pearl. Explore the country's fascinating history and uncover interesting facts.