Ancient pearl town discovered in United Arab Emirates | Aljazeera

On Siniyah Island in the United Arab Emirates, archaeologists uncovered the oldest pearling village in the Gulf. This hamlet predates the rise of Islam and is thought to have housed Christians, underscoring the significance of the UAE’s pearling legacy as it transitions to a carbon-neutral future. 

Archaeologists have discovered what they believe to be the oldest pearling town in the Gulf, located on Siniyah Island in the United Arab Emirates. The town dates back to the late sixth century and likely housed thousands of people in hundreds of houses. It is the first physical evidence of an ancient pearling town from this era across the Gulf region. The discovery included a range of homes made of beach rock and lime mortar, with loose pearls and diving weights found inside. The town predates the rise of Islam across the Arabian Peninsula and was likely home to Christians. The discovery holds particular importance as the UAE faces a carbon-neutral future and prepares to host the United Nations COP28 climate talks later this year. 

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/3/20/their-world-was-the-oyster-oldest-pearl-town-found-in-uae