The Ancient Land of the UAE – Multaqa Zayed National Museum

Manarat Al Saadiyat – 1st June 2016 – 18:30 – 20:00 pm

The variety of animals that once roamed the region is both thrilling and intriguing; ranging from the strange, ancestors of the elephant, to species that you would not expect in the desert such as the hippopotamus and the crocodile.

Experts will discuss animal fossils discovered in the UAE and research collected from these excavations to help raise awareness today.

Speakers:

Dr Mark Beech (Head of Coastal Heritage and Palaeontology, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority)

Dr Khalid Al Bloushi (Assistant Professor and Head of Geology, UAE University)

Prior registration is required, call +971 2 657 5800, or email manaratalsaadiyat@tcaabudhabi.ae.

*Complimentary Family Art Workshops are hosted in conjunction with this talk.

To read an article published by Nick Leech of The National newspaper about the lecture please click here.

New irrigation system discovered in Zahr village date palm garden on Sir Bani Yas Island

Recent archaeological excavations carried out between 2-4 May 2016 have uncovered a well preserved irrigation system connected to a water cistern. This is located in the walled date palm garden which originally formed part of Zahr village, located on the northern coast of Sir Bani Yas Island. The team of archaeologists comprised Dr Mark Beech (Head of Coastal Heritage and Palaeontology), Abdullah Khalfan Al Kaabi (coastal heritage archaeologist) and Ahmed Abdulla ElHaj ElFaki (coastal heritage archaeologist), all from the Historic Environment Department at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi).

Dr Mark Beech explains the ongoing work at the Sir Bani Yas Island church and monastery to Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi (UAE State Minister for Tolerance), Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak (Chairman, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority), Dr Joseph Elders and Peter Hellyer (Courtesy: Ministry of State for Tolerance). The visit took place on Saturday 16 April 2016.