I attended the Archaeology in the UAE Conference – 2024, organised by the Zayed National Museum and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and held at the Louvre Abu Dhabi from the 27th-28th November 2024.

Download the conference programme (PDF, 7 MB).

The whole conference was live streamed and recorded on the Zayed National Museum YouTube channel:

Day One – English (begins at 49:12) – Arabic (begins at 48:37)

Day Two – English (begins at 36:15) – Arabic (begins at 33:25)

The Archaeology Conference is an annual forum organised and hosted by the Zayed National Museum and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi to share research, discussion and recognition of achievements in the field within the United Arab Emirates. The 2024 edition represents a significant milestone since archaeological work in the UAE began, leading to the theme “65 Years of Unearthing Our Past”. Across two days, a distinguished panel of national and international experts showcased the UAE’s rich history and the latest archaeological explorations in the region.

Several important topics were discussed including climate challenges, satellite imaging and near-surface geophysics, and digital engagement of Al Ain’s 3,000-year-old water aflaj systems. Key findings from past and recent excavations as well as news of ongoing explorations were presented.

يعد مؤتمر الآثار ملتق ًى سنوياً ينظمه متحف زايد الوطني كمنصة محورية للبحوث والحوارات وتكريم الإنجازات التي تم تحقيقها في مجال الآثار في دولة الإمارات العربية المتحدة. وفي نسخته لعام 2024، يمثل المؤتمر محطة هامة منذ انطلاق الأعمال الأثرية في دولة الإمارات، ومسيرة استكشاف ماضينا المتواصلة على مدار 65 عاماً. وتنعقد فعاليات المؤتمر على مدار يومين بمشاركة نخبة من الخبراء المحليين والعالميين المرموقين الذين يسلطون الضوء على تاريخ الدولة العريق وأحّدث الاكتشافات الأثرية في المنطقة. ستثمر أعمال المؤتمر عن مجموعة وفيرة من الرؤى والبيانات الجديدة في ع ّدة مجالات ها ّمة منها التحديات المناخية والتصوير بالأقمار الصناعية والجيوفيزياء القريبة من السطح والربط الرقمي لأنظمة المياه (الأفلاج) التي يزيد عمرها عن 3000 عام في مدينة العين. ويتمثل الهدف في تسليط الضوء على أبرز الاكتشافات التي توصلت إليها عمليات التنقيب في الماضي وحّديثاً، وذلك في سبيل تشجيع ونشر المعارف المستجدة حّول الاكتشافات المتواصلة. وبالنسبة للخبراء والمتمرسين في هذا المجال العلمي، يتيح مؤتمر الآثار فرصة فريدة لبناء علاقات جديدة وتوطيد العلاقات الحالية، وبالتالي إتاحّة المزيد من فرص التعاون والاكتشافات الجديدة.

There is a special event being held at Abu Dhabi Art 2024 (20-24 November 2024) on Wednesday 20th November from 5:00-6:00 PM. It will take place in the Fann Majlis by BMW, in front of the main entrance to Manarat Al Saadiyat. For location details click here.

The event is called “A Journey through Palaeontology and Archaeology of the UAE”. It will feature the following speakers:

• Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (Scientific Research Lead, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi) – “A Journey through the Palaeontology of Abu Dhabi”
• Dr Richard Cuttler (Head of Archaeology and Palaeontology, Historic Environment Department, Department of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi) – “A Journey through the Archaeology of Abu Dhabi – From the Palaeolithic to the Neolithic period”
• Dr Federico Borgi (Italian Archaeological Mission in Umm al-Quwain, Department of Tourism and Archaeology, Umm al-Quwain, UAE) – “A Journey through the Archaeology of the UAE – Setting the Scene”
• Dr Michele Degli Esposti (Consultant archaeologist, Department of Tourism and Archaeology, Umm al-Quwain, UAE) – “A Journey through the Archaeology of the UAE – From the Bronze Age to the Pre-Islamic period”

Abu Dhabi Art expands beyond the notion of a traditional art fair in placing emphasis on a diverse public engagement programme, including art installations and exhibitions, talks and events, that take place in different locations throughout the year. The culmination of this year-long programme is the Abu Dhabi Art event in November, which provides an important sales platform for participating galleries whilst also offering these galleries an opportunity to showcase ambitious installations and site-specific works by their artists to a wide audience.

Under the patronage of
His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council

Abu Dhabi Art is supported by a Host Committee chaired by Her Highness Shaikha Salama bint Hamdan Al Nahyan.

The annual art fair each November is the culmination of the year-round visual arts programme. The fair brings together a number of local and international galleries offering artworks for sale which are shown alongside exhibitions, artist commissions and installations both at the fair and across the emirate.

Dates & Times:
Wednesday 20 – Sunday 24 November 2024 | 2-9pm

We look forward to meeting you at Abu Dhabi Art 2024!