The Abu Dhabi Pearl: Explore an almost 8,000-year-old treasure, with a Talk, Film and VR Experience

With Dr Mark Jonathan Beech, Head of Archaeology – Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi

Tuesday 26 November 2019 – 6pm – Free admission

While excavating a stone-age village on the island of Marawah in the Western Region of the UAE, archaeologists discovered a nearly 8,000-year-old pearl, believed to be the earliest known evidence for pearling ever discovered.

Dr Mark Beech, Head of Archaeology for Al Dhafra & Abu Dhabi, Department of Culture and Tourism, will discuss the discovery of the pearl and the important history of pearling in the UAE.

To register for the talk please click here

About Dr Mark Jonathan Beech BSc. (Hons), M.A., PhD.

Dr Mark Jonathan Beech has a Bachelor of Sciences honours degree in Archaeology from the Institute of Archaeology, University College London (1982-1985), a Master’s degree in Environmental Archaeology and Palaeoeconomy from the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield (1986-1987), and a Phd in Archaeology from the Department of Archaeology at the University of York (1998-2001). Dr Beech has been involved in archaeological research in the UAE for the past 25 years, being Senior Resident Archaeologist for the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey from 1994-2006, then Cultural Landscapes Manager at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage from 2006-2012 and then Head of Coastal Heritage and Palaeontology at the Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority from 2012-2017. Since 2018 he is Head of Archaeology for the Al Dhafra and Abu Dhabi Capital Area regions in the Historic Environment Department at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi).