Development in South West Asia (SWA) of local initiatives in bioarchaeological practices and trainings

Organised by:
MASHKOUR M. (1) * , TENGBERG M. (2), CHAHOUD J. (3)
(1) CNRS, Paris, France
(2) Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France
(3) Université Lyon 2, Lyon, France
*Corresponding author

Abstract:
Today no excavation can be imagined without the implication and integration of archaeobotany, archaeozoology, and molecular analyses. Within the last 40 years with the development of archaeological sciences, awerness of SWA and non SWA archaeologists has increased on the importance of natural sciences. The aim of this session is : 1) to have a state of art on the developement of bioarchaeological studies in South West Asia by local scholars. 2) to gather the archaeologists and the SWA community of archaeobotanists, archaeozoologists, physical anthropologists, biogeochemists to have a dialogue, to share their experience on when and how these developments took place. 3) to have the viewpoint of field archaeologists and how they deal with the requirement of bioarchaeological research and methods in the field in terms of sampling strategies and also in the frame of heritage regulations and policies. We expect to collect testimonies on these developments and how they impact today the younger generation, despite the political difficulties in the region for several decades. These unique trajectories and stories will constitute a solid documentation on the development of these scientific fields in the SWA countries and a guide for those who engage in this path. We also aim at publishing these testimonies in a single volume that will be as a bench mark for retracing the emergence and development of bioarchaeology in the almost 20 countries that constitute South West Asia.

Keywords:
Bioarchaeology, Collections, Training, Sampling, Heritage Regulations

The following participants will be taking part in the workshop:

Armenia – Roman Hovsepyan (AB)
Armenia – Nina Manaseryan
Cyprus – Hajikoumis-Vigne (AZ- Chypre- Maria Rousou (AB)
Cyprus – Pantelisa Mylona (Geomorpho)
Georgia – Nana Russishvili (AB)
Iran – Marjan Mashkour, Hosein Davoudi (AZ)
Iraq-  Carolyne Douché (AB)
Kazakhstan- William Rendu – Laboratoire xx (AZ- BGC)
Lebanon – Jwana Chahoud (AZ)
Pakistan – Aurore Didier, Margareta Tengberg, Marjan Mashkour, (AZ)
Saudi Arabia – Charlène Bouchaud (AB)
Saudi Arabia – Hervé Monchot, Moussab Albesso (AZ)
Syria – Emmanuelle Vila & Moussab Albesso (AZ)
Turkey – Mehmet Somel / Laurent Frantz (Paléogénétique)
Turkey – Muge Ergun (AB)
United Arab Emirates – Mark Beech (AZ)
Uzbekistan – Delphine Decruyenaere (Samarkand) (AZ)

Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (Scientific Research Lead, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi) will be presenting the following paper in the session in Room W.6.1 on Thursday 5th June from 12:00-12:30 pm:

BIOARCHAEOLOGY RESEARCH IN THE UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

Archaeology in the UAE has a comparatively young history and there is a paucity of publications on bioarchaeological research. Archaeologists operating there are aware of possibilities of integrating archaeobotany, archaeozoology, molecular analyses, physical anthropology, and geoarchaeological results with their work, but there are comparatively few opportunities for suitable research facilities or collaboration with colleagues.  There is also a distinct lack of institutions teaching bioarchaeology within the UAE and Gulf region. Many studies are carried out by visiting experts who either only stay a short time in the country, or who export the bioarchaeological remains so they may study the remains elsewhere. This has not helped to build local capacity and expertise in the region. Some suggestions for future best practice include ensuring full engagement with local institutions. The Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (NHMAD) will open its doors for the first time in 2025. This museum houses a research institute with significant archive and laboratory facilities. The NHMAD will become a hub for resident and visiting scientists to undertake research on its collections. The NHMAD welcomes future research collaborations with bioarchaeologists and will be actively looking to undertake joint training and research programmes.

This takes place in Session 6 – Life and death: Human behaviour and practices – Type of papers:  Workshop, at the 14th International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East (ICAANE) which has been organised since 1998 by the scientific community of scholars working on and in the Near East. It is an exceptional forum for dialogue and scientific exchanges between all colleagues involved in the study of the Ancient Near East.

To discover the program of the 14th ICAANE click here.

After twelve years, the ICAANE comes back to France to the city of lights Lyon. From 2-7 June 2025, the fourteenth International Congress on the Archaeology of the Ancient Near East will take place in Lyon. It is organised by the Université Lumière Lyon 2 and the Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée.

EVENT PLANNER – Registration

The 16th International Council for Archaeozoology (ICAZ) Working Group – Archaeozoology of Southwest Asia and Adjacent Areas (ASWA) conference will be held in Munich, Germany, from 25-28 May 2025.

Call for papers: 1 December 2024

Abstract submission deadline: 31 January 2025

Notification of acceptance for oral/poster presentations: 15 February 2025

Registration opens: 15 February 2025

Early bird registration closes: 30 March 2025

Registration closes: 15 April 2025

Pre-conference excursion: 25 May 2025

Conference: 26-28 May 2025

Culture Summit 2025:
Culture for Humanity and Beyond

Culture Summit is the annual global forum that convenes international leaders from the cultural and creative industries, to identify how culture can transform societies and communities worldwide.  Culture Summit Abu Dhabi 2025 will take place at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi from Sunday 27th to Tuesday 29th April 2025.

This year the theme of Culture Summit 2025 is Culture for Humanity and Beyond which will explore the dynamic relationship between culture and humanity in this period of unparalleled transformation for Humanity. The first quarter of the Century has seen profound global power shifts, leading to the sense of an uncertain future, and to us questioning what it means to be Human in a post-Human world. This may require a collective rethinking of human emancipation, humanism and new common ground to build a sustainable future together.

Dr Geoffrey R.D. King (left), Academic Director of the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) team, together with the late Peter Hellyer, Executive Director of ADIAS (right) – at the archaeological excavations on Sir Bani Yas Island.

OBITUARY – Dr Geoffrey Robert Derek King

Born: Wandsworth, London, UK – 10 December 1947
Died: London, UK – 1 March 2025 (aged 77)

Dr. Geoffrey R.D. King, Reader Emeritus in Islamic Art and Archaeology at the Department of History of Art and Archaeology at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, passed away on 1 March 2025 at the age of 77. He was a distinguished scholar whose pioneering research on the architecture, archaeology, and art of Arabia, Greater Syria, Iran, and the Indian Ocean region left an enduring legacy.

Dr. King’s academic journey began at the Slade School of Fine Art, University of London, where he initially pursued painting, particularly watercolours. His passion for Islamic art and archaeology led him to complete an M.Phil. in 1972, focusing on a mosque in Toledo, and a Ph.D. in 1976, on the mosaics of the Great Mosque of Damascus.

His teaching career was both international and impactful. From 1977 to 1980, he was a lecturer at the American University in Cairo, before moving to King Saud University in Riyadh, where he taught from 1980 to 1987. Following a research fellowship at the Classics Department of King’s College London (1987–1989), Dr. King joined SOAS in 1989, where he remained a key academic figure until his retirement.

Dr. King’s fieldwork was extensive and influential. He directed a survey of Byzantine and Islamic sites in Jordan (1980–1983), worked on excavations at the Islamic pilgrimage road site of Rabadha in Saudi Arabia (1980–1987), and led the British excavation team at Julfar in Ras al-Khaimah, UAE (1989–1993). As Academic Director of the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) from 1992 to 2003, he oversaw the discovery and study of major archaeological sites, including the 7th-8th century Church and Monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island, and significant Neolithic coastal settlements on Delma, Marawah, and Ghagha Islands.

In 2006–2007, Dr. King co-directed the Cultural Heritage Management of Qatar Project in consultation with the Emir of Qatar, resulting in two volumes of recommendations for protecting and managing the nation’s archaeological heritage. He also worked closely with Iranian colleagues on Islamic devotional architecture and explored the interconnected histories of Arabia, Iran, Africa, and China via the Indian Ocean trade routes.

Beyond academia, Dr. King brought his expertise to the public through various media. He contributed to BBC World Service radio programs on the archaeology of Yemen, Abu Dhabi, and Syria, as well as discussions on Islamic pilgrimage and the Ottoman railway system. His insights were also featured on UK’s Channel 4 and on Iranian and Syrian television.

Dr. King’s scholarly output was prolific. His book The Traditional Architecture of Saudi Arabia (1998) remains a seminal work, offering a profound analysis of the region’s architectural heritage. Other notable publications include Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey, Season 1 (1997), Old Mosques of the Coasts of Abu Dhabi (2009), and Vernacular Islamic Architecture of Saudi Arabia: Secular Buildings (2018). Surprisingly, the last three years saw the publication of The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East Vol. 2 and The Historical Mosques of Saudi Arabia, both of which further expanded his work on Islamic architectural history.

Dr. King’s legacy is not only in his research but also in the countless students and scholars he mentored, many of whom continue to build upon his work. He had an unmistakable passion for his field and an unyielding curiosity that shaped decades of scholarship.

In his later years, Dr. King faced personal and professional challenges, but his love for art, history, and archaeology remained unwavering. While those close to him knew of the complexities he navigated, his contributions to the academic world and his indelible impact on those who knew him remain his enduring legacy.

Dr. King is survived by his family, his son George, and by Gillian and Jacqueline, whom he embraced as daughters when their mother, his former wife’s sister, passed away while they were young. He remained a guiding presence in their lives, a role that extended to the next generation as he was lovingly known as ‘Sekuru’ to Jacqueline’s daughter, Ava. He is also survived by his ex-wives Joan and Christina, as well as many friends, colleagues, and students who will remember him not only for his scholarly achievements but also for his generosity, wit, and deep-seated passion for the arts.

In honouring Dr. Geoffrey R.D. King’s memory, we celebrate a life dedicated to uncovering and preserving cultural heritage, a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations.

A personal note:

I myself first joined the ADIAS team in February 1994 and was fortunate to work with Geoffrey for more than ten years, and to be friends with him for the past 30 years. I learned a lot from him about the Islamic world and its architectural and archaeological treasures, as well as about the Middle East. Life was a rollercoaster in Geoffrey’s company. Never a dull moment and lots of fun conversations with him and intellectual debates over the years, as well as numerous adventures together in Abu Dhabi and London. I will miss him.

Here are a few more photographs of him from the archives:

Dr Geoffrey King shows King Charles III (formerly at that time the Prince of Wales) around the archaeological excavations on Sir Bani Yas Island in 1993. His Excellency Ahmed Saeed Al Badi, former UAE Minister of Health, stands to the right of them.

Dr Geoffrey King (centre) shows some visitors around the archaeological excavations at the Church and Monastery on Sir Bani Yas Island in 1994.

Dr Geoffrey King on board the royal dhow in 1994 on Sir Bani Yas Island – belonging to the late President His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

BIBLIOGRAPHY – Dr Geoffrey R.D. King

Authored Books:

King, G.R.D. (1976). The Origins and Sources of the Umayyad Mosaics in the Great Mosque of Damascus (Doctoral dissertation, School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London)).

King, Geoffrey R.D. (1986) The historical mosques of Saudi Arabia. London; New York: Longman.

King, Geoffrey and Tonghini, C. (1996) Reconnaissance Survey of Islamic Sites near Aden and in the Abyan District of Yemen. London: SOAS University of London.

King, Geoffrey (1997) Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey, Season 1: An Archaeological Survey of Sir Bani Yas, Dalma and Marawah. London: Trident Press.

King, Geoffrey (1998) The Traditional Architecture of Saudi Arabia. London: I.B. Tauris.

King, Geoffrey (2009) Old Mosques of the Coasts of Abu Dhabi. Abu Dhabi: National Archives.

King, Geoffrey (2018) Vernacular Architecture of Saudi Arabia: Secular Buildings. Riyadh: Tarah International.

Edited Book or Journal Volume:

Cameron, A., Conrad, L.I. and King, G.R.D. (eds.), (1992). The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East: States, resources, and armies (Vol. 3). Darwin Press, Incorporated.

King, Geoffrey, ed. (2003) Sulphur, Camels and Gunpowder, The Sulphur Mines at Jebel Dhanna, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. An Archaeological Site of the Late Islamic Period. Abu Dhabi: ADIAS.

King, Geoffrey and Cameron, Averil (eds.) (2021) The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East – Volume 2: Land Use and Settlement Patterns. Gerlach Press.

Book Chapters:

King, Geoffrey (1977) ‘Libya and Arabia: a comparison of some vernacular architectural forms’ In: Islamic Art and Architecture in Libya. London: AARP.

King, Geoffrey and Lewcock, Ronald (1978) ‘Key monuments of Islamic architecture: Arabia’. In: Gruber, Ernst J. and Michell, George (eds.), Architecture of the Islamic World: its history and social meaning, with a complete survey of key monuments. London: Thames and Hudson.

King, G.R.D. (1989). ‘The Umayyad Qusur and related settlements in Jordan’. In: al-Bakhit, MA-Schick, R. Amman (eds.), The Fourth International Conference on the History of Bilad al-Sham during Umayyad Period. University of Jordan, English section (Vol. 2, pp. 71-80).

King, G.R.D. (1994) ‘Settlement in Western and Central Arabia and the Gulf in the Sixth-Eighth Centuries A.D’. In: The Byzantine and early Islamic Near East; 2: Land use and settlement patterns: (papers of the Second Workshop on Late Antiquity and Early Islam). pp. 181-212

King, Geoffrey (1997) ‘The History of the UAE: The Eve of Islam of the Islamic Period.’ In: Ghareeb, Edmund and Al Abed, Ibrahim, (eds.), Perspectives on the United Arab Emirates. London: Trident Press, pp. 74-94.

King, G.R.D. and C. Tonghini. (1999). ‘The Western Islands of Abu Dhabi Emirate – Notes on Ghagha’. In: C.S. Phillips, D.T. Potts and S. Searight (eds.), Arabia and its Neighbours – Essays on Prehistorical and Historical Developments presented in honour of Beatrice de Cardi. Abiel II. Brepols. pp.117-142.

King, G.R.D. (1999). ‘The Mosque of Bab al-Mardum and the Islamic building tradition’. Entre el Califato y la Taifa. Mil años del Cristo de la Luz.

King, G.R.D. (2001).  ‘The coming of Islam and the Islamic period in the UAE’. In: I. Al-Abed and P. Hellyer (eds.), The United Arab Emirates: A new perspective. Trident Press, UK. pp.70-97.

King, Geoffrey (2002) ‘The sculptures of the pre-Islamic Haram at Makka.’ In: Ball, Warwick and Harrow, Leonard, (eds.), Cairo to Kabul. Afghan Studies presented to Ralph Pinder-Wilson. London: Milisende, pp. 144-150.

King, Geoffrey and Hellyer, Peter (2003) ‘Islamic Archaeology in the Deep Sands of Abu Dhabi Emirate, U.A.E.’ In: Potts, Daniel, Naboodah, H and Hellyer, Peter, (eds.), Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates. Proceedings of the First International Conference on the Archaeology of the U.A.E. London: Trident Press in cooperation with the Zayed Centre for Heritage and History, pp. 263-276.

King, Geoffrey (2006) ‘The Islamic Architecture of Dalma Island.’ In: Damluji, S. S., (ed.), The Architecture of the United Arab Emirates. Reading: Garnet Publishing, pp. 151-76.

King, G.R.D. (2007). The earliest Islamic illustrated manuscript, the Maqāmāt and a graveyard at Suḥār at Suḥār, Oman. In: Anna Contadini (ed.), Arab Painting: Text and Image in Illustrated Arabic Manuscripts. Brill. pp. 93-102.

King, G.R.D. (2009) Reprinted in: E.R. Hoffman, Late Antique and Medieval Art of the Mediterranean World. John Wiley & Sons. ‘Islam, Iconoclasm, and the Declaration of Doctrine’. From: Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 48(2) (1985): 267-277. pp. 213-225.

King, Geoffrey R.D. (2021) ‘Settlement in Western and Central Arabia and the Gulf in the Sixth-Eighth Centuries A.D.’ I In: King, Geoffrey and Cameron, Averil (eds.) (2021) The Byzantine and Early Islamic Near East – Volume 2: Land Use and Settlement Patterns. Gerlach Press, pp. 181-212.

Journal Article:

King, Geoffrey (1977) ‘Traditional architecture in Najd, Saudi Arabia’. Proceedings of the Tenth Seminar for Arabian Studies held at The Middle East Centre, Cambridge on 12^th-14^th July, 1976, pp.90-100.

King, G.R.D. (1977) ‘Bayt al-Mufayyad: a late 19th century house on al Bahrayn’.  Journal of Arabian Studies 4: 27-45.

King, Geoffrey (1978) ‘Islamic Architecture in Eastern Araba’ Proceedings of the Eleventh Seminar for Arabian Studies held at St. John’s College, Oxford on 7^th-9^th July, 1977, pp.15-28.

Abdulhamid Abdussaid, Masoud Shaghlouf, Géza Fehérvári, G.R.D. King and E. Chin (1978). Second Season of Excavations at El-Medeinah, Ancient Surt. Libyan Studies 9: 13-18.

King, G.R.D. (1980). ‘Notes on Some Mosques in Eastern and Western Saudi Arabia’. Bulletin of the School of African and Oriental Studies 43(2): 251-276.

King, G.R.D. (1980). ‘Some Christian wall-mosaics in Pre-Islamic Arabia’. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 10: 37-43 – Proceedings of the 13^th Seminar for Arabian Studies held at the Middle East Centre, Cambridge, on 25-27 July 1980.

King, G.R.D. (1982). ‘Preliminary Report on a Survey of Byzantine and Islamic Sites in Jordan 1980’. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan / Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 26: 85-95.

King, G.R.D. (1983). ‘Two Byzantine Churches in Northern Jordan and their Re-Use in the Islamic Period’. Damaszener Mitteilungen 1: 111-136.

King, Geoffrey (1985), ‘Islam, Iconoclasm and the declaration of doctrine’, Bulletin of the School of African and Oriental Studies 48(2): 267–77.

King, G.R.D. (1986). A Survey of Byzantine and Islamic Sites in Jordan. The Third and Fourth Seasons (1982–1983). Archiv fur Orientforschung 33: 251-252.

King, G.R.D., Lenzen, C.J., Newhall, A., King, J.L. and Deemer, J.D. (1987). The Southern Ghor. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan / Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan 31: 439-459.

King, Geoffrey (1987), ‘The distribution of sites and routes in the Jordanian and Syrian deserts in the early Islamic period’, Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 17: 91–105 – Proceedings of the Twentieth Seminar for Arabian Studies held at London on 1^st-4th July, 1986.

King, G.R.D. (1987). Survey of Byzantine and Islamic sites in Jordan. Third season preliminary report (1982): the southern Ghor. Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan / Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan – Year: 1987, Volume: 31: 439-459.

King, G.R.D., L. King and J.D. Deemer (1988). ‘Some churches of the Byzantine period in the Jordanian Hawran’. Damaszener Mitteilungen 3: 35-75.

King, Geoffrey (1989), ‘The Umayyad qusur and related settlements in Jordan’, In: Bakhit, M. Adnan and Robert Schick, eds (1989), The History of Bilad al-Sham during the Umayyad Period. Proceedings of the Third Symposium, vol. 2, Amman.

King, G.R.D. (1989). ‘Building methods and materials in Western Saudi Arabia’. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 19: 71-78 – Proceedings of the 22nd Seminar for Arabian Studies held in Oxford on 26-28 July 1988.

King, G.R.D., Lenzen, C.J., Newhall, A., King, D.L., Deemer, J.D. and Rollefson, G.O., (1989). Survey of Islamic and Byzantine Sites in Jordan., third preliminary report (1982), the Wadi Arabah (part 2). Annual of the Department of Antiquities of Jordan / Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan XXXHI, pp.199-215.

King, G.R.D. (1990). ‘Excavations by the British team at Julfar, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Interim Report on the First Season (1989).’ Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 20: 79-53 – Proceedings of the 23^rd Seminar for Arabian Studies held in London on 18-20 July 1989.

King, G.R.D. (1991). ‘Excavations by the British team at Julfar, Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates: Interim Report on the Second Season (1990).’ Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 21: 123-134 – Proceedings of the 24^th Seminar for Arabian Studies held in Oxford on 24-26 July 1990.

King, G.R.D. (1991). ‘Creswell’s Appreciation of Arabian Architecture’. Muqarnas Volume 8 – K.A.C. Creswell and His Legacy, pp. 94-102.

King, G.R.D. (1992). ‘Settlement patterns in Islamic Jordan: The Umayyads and their use of the land’. Dirāsāt fī tārīḫ wa-āṯār al-Urdunn 4: 369-375.

King, G.R.D. and P. Hellyer. (1994). ‘A Pre-Islamic Christian site on Sir Bani Yas’. Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 4.2: 5–7.

King, G.R.D., D. Dunlop, J.  Elders, S. Garfi, A.Stephenson, and C. Tonghini.  (1995).  ‘A report on the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (1993-1994)’. Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies 25: 63-7 – Papers from the 28^th meeting of the Seminar for Arabian Studies held at Oxford, 21-23 July 1994.

King, G.R.D.  (1997).  A Nestorian monastic settlement on the island of Sir Bani Yas, Abu Dhabi: a preliminary report. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 60(2): 221-235.

King, G.R.D. and P. Hellyer.  (1997).  A Preliminary Note on Ceramics from the island of Qarnein. Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 7.2: 25-26.

Hellyer, P. and G.R.D. King. (1999). A site from the early first millennium AD at Ra’s Bilyaryar, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Arabian Archaeology and Epigraphy 10: 119-123.

King, G.R.D. and H. Maren-Griesebach. (1999). ‘A Preliminary Survey of the Archaeology of the Wadi Safad, Fujairah, United Arab Emirates, 13-15th April 1995’. Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 9.2: 10-18.

King, Geoffrey (2002) ‘Archaeological Fieldwork at the Citadel of Homs, Syria: 1995-1999.’ Levant: The Journal of the Council for British Research in the Levant, 34 (1). pp. 39-58.

King, Geoffrey (2002) ‘The Prophet Muhammad and the Breaking of the Jahiliyyah Idols.’ Journal of Semitic Studies. Studies on Arabia in Honour of G. Rex Smith, 14. pp. 91-122.

King, Geoffrey (2003) ‘The Pottery of Lima, Musandam, Sultanate of Oman.’ Tribulus, Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group, 13 (1). pp. 17-19.

King, G.R.D. (with architectural drawings by D. Connolly). (2004). Bayt al-Muraykhî: a later Islamic pearl merchant’s house at Dalmâ, Abu Dhabi Emirate. Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 14.1: 3-8.

King, G.R.D. (with ground-plans and elevational drawings by David Connolly). (2004). The Traditional Mosques of Dalma, Abu Dhabi Emirate. Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 14.2: 23-31.

King, Geoffrey (2004) ‘The Paintings of the Pre-Islamic Ka’ba.’ Muqarnas. An Annual on the Visual Culture of the Islamic World. Essays in Honor of J.M. Rogers., 21. pp. 219-29.

King, Geoffrey (2010) ‘Contextualising Mosques and Building Traditions of the Arabian Peninsula: Saudi Arabia, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. Liwa 2(4): 3-20. National Library and Archives.

King, Geoffrey (2011) ‘Mukhâ’ (Mocha), Jidda and Makka Al-Mukarrama: Urban Mapping in The Anis Al-Hujjâj Ms. in The Nasser D. Khalili Collection’. Liwa 3(6): 3-23. National Library and Archives.

King, G.R.D. (2013) ‘Archaeological Fieldwork at the Citadel of Homs, Syria: 1995-1999’. Levant 34(1): 39-58.

King, G.R.D. (2015). ‘Islamic Archaeology in Libya, 1969-1989’. Libyan Studies, Volume 20, January 1989, pp. 193–207.

Book Reviews:

Allan, J.A. and King, G.R.D. (1976) Book Review: ‘Islamic Art and Architecture in Libya – Catalogue published by the Libyan General Committee for participation in the World of Islam Festival, London, with the co-operation of the Architectural Association, London, 1976. £1.00 (from the Secretary of the Society for Libyan Studies).’. Libyan Studies 7: 62-63.

King, G.R.D. (1988) Book Review: ‘Doǧan Kuban: Muslim religious architecture. Part II: Development of religious architecture in later periods, x, 49 pp., 48 plates. Leiden: E.J. Brill, [1986]. Guilders 72, $32.75.’. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 51(3): 561-563.

King, G.R.D. (1989) Book Review: ‘Richard Ettinghausen and Oleg Grabar: The art and architecture of Islam: 650–1250 (Pelican History of Art.) 448 pp. New York and London: Viking Penguin Inc., 1987. £30 (paper £17.95).’. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 52(2): 348-349.

King, G.R.D. (1989). Book Review:  Charles K. Wilkinson, Nishapur: Some Early Islamic Buildings and Their Decoration (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1987). Pp. 328. International Journal of Middle East Studies 21(2): 283-285.

King, G.R.D. (1992) Book Review: ‘The Arabian Gulf in Antiquity. Vol. II, From Alexander the Great to the Coming of Islam. By D. T. Potts. 250mm. Pp. 369, 12 pls. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1990. ISBN 0-19-814390-7. £95.00 (2 vols.).’. The Antiquaries Journal 72: 204-207.

King, G.R.D. (1992) Book Review: ‘Myriam Rosen-Ayalon: The early Islamic monuments of al-Ḥaram al-Sharīf: an iconographic study. (Qedem, 28.) xvi, 73 pp., 16 [col.] plates. Jerusalem: The Hebrew University of Jerusalem Institute of Archaeology, 1989.’. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 55(2): 324-325.

King, G.R.D. (1994) Book Review: ‘Wladyslaw B. Kubiak: Al-Fustat: its foundation and early development. 186 pp. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press, [1987].’. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 54(1): 151-153.

King, G.R.D. (1996). Book Review: Jean-Pierre Greenlaw: The coral buildings of Suakin: Islamic architecture, planning, design and domestic arrangements in a Red Sea port. 132 pp. London: Kegan Paul International, 1994. £45. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies 59(2): 341-342.

Marchand T.H.J. (1999). Book Review: The Near and Middle East – Geoffrey King: The traditional architecture of Saudi Arabia, xiv, 242 pp. London and New York: I.B. Tauris, 1998. £45. Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies. 1999; 62(2): 342-343. doi:10.1017/S0041977X00016864

King, G.R.D. (2003). Book Review: in Tribulus (Journal of the Emirates Natural History Group) 13(2): 30-31 of “Al-aflaj fi dawlat al-imarat al-‘arabiyat al-mutahida. Dirasat athariya fi anzamat al-rayy al-qadima” (Aflaj in the United Arab Emirates. Archaeological Studies on Ancient Irrigation Systems). 2002, by Dr Walid Yasin Al-Tikriti. Published by the Ministry of Information and Culture, Abu Dhabi. 161 pages. ISBN 9948-03-028-1.

Other:

King, G.R.D., Dunlop, D., Garfi, S. and Tonghini, C. (1995) A Report on the tell at Homs, Syria. Unpublished report for the Directorate-General of Antiquities of Syria, archived at the Homs Museum.

Online Media Sources:

Video tours of the Al Muraykhi, Al Dawsari and Al Muhannadi Mosques on Dalma Island with Dr Geoffrey King – filmed by Dr Mark Jonathan Beech on 10-11 April 2004
https://www.adias-uae.com/dalmamosques.html

Al Muraykhi Mosque – https://www.adias-uae.com/film/Muraykhi-mosque-english.MPG
Al Dawsari Mosque – https://www.adias-uae.com/film/Dawsari-mosque-english.MPG
Al Muhannadi Mosque – https://www.adias-uae.com/film/Muhannadi-mosque-english.MPG

ADIAS Team Members (1992-2006)
https://www.adias-uae.com/adias-team.html

Khaleej Times, ‘Experts battle to save ancient UAE mosques’ by Reuters (3 August 2004)
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/uae/experts-battle-to-save-ancient-uae-mosques

Day1: Introduction to Islamic Art, Arab Civilisations (14 May 2008)
https://www.khtt.net/en/page/6151/day1-introduction-to-islamic-art-arab-civilisations

The National, “Unearthing an ancient treasure trove” by Tahira Yaqoob (24 November 2008)
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/unearthing-an-ancient-treasure-trove-1.593751

The National, “Mosques” by Jonathan Gornall (13 September 2009)
https://www.thenationalnews.com/uae/heritage/mosques-1.517187

I will be attending the ESRI UAE GIS User Conference in Dubai from Tuesday 25th to Wednesday 26th February 2025. This is being held at the Movenpick Grand Al Bustan Hotel in Dubai.

For more information visit: https://www.gistec.com/events/EsriUAEUC/

Here is the Agenda and Map Gallery
and here is a video of the highlights.

Here are some Free Online GIS Resources from previous ESRI UAE GIS conferences.

The Emirates Natural History Group is holding the Inter-Emirates Weekend from 22-23 February 2025, based at the Ayla Bawadi Hotel, Sultan Bin Zayed St., Bawadi Mall Area., Al Ain, 222095, United Arab Emirates.

Here are the programme details.

For more information visit:

Emirates Natural History Group

Abu Dhabi Emirates Natural History Group

Al Ain Emirates Natural History Group (Facebook)

Dubai Emirates Natural History Group

Ras Al Khaimah Natural History Group (Instagram)

One of my photographs won an award in the Emirates Natural History Group Inter-Emirates Weekend Photography Competition – in Category 2: Flora in the Wild.  The picture was of “Flowers, Tribulus arabicus, in the desert”. The photograph was taken on 13 June 2024  in the desert near Bida Al Mutawa in the Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi emirate.

Professor Brian Cox gave a lecture entitled “Natural Universe of Wonders” on Thursday 12th December 2024 from 6-7pm at the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

This event was sponsored by Callsign, the University of Manchester and the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi – and was kindly hosted by the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Following an introduction by Peter C. Kjaergaard (Director of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi), Dame Nancy Rothwell (Former President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester) gave a welcome speech. Professor Brian Cox then presented an enthralling lecture unravelling the mysteries of the universe.

Following the lecture there was a reception held on the terrace outside Fouquet’s restaurant at Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Peter Kjaergaard, Director of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi

Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of Manchester

Professor Brian Cox meets His Excellency Abdulla Ali Musleh Jumhour Al Ahbabi (Director, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank) and his son, as well as Professor Phil Manning and Dr Mark Jonathan Beech from the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi after his lecture.

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!

I plan to attend and present a paper co-authored with Kevin Lidour at the World Neolithic Congress, due to be held in Sanliurfa, Turkey, from 4-8 November 2024.

General Programme – click here
General Programme with Rooms – click here
Detailed Programme by Sessions – click here
Detailed Programme by Date-Class – click here
Detailed Programme by Class-Date – click here
To Register Attendance  – click here

Title:
Submission 3285 – Insights into a Neolithic maritime economy: Recent archaeological research from Abu Dhabi’s islands, United Arab Emirates

Authors:
Kevin Lidour, Historic Environment Department, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 94000, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – email: klidour@dctabudhabi.ae

Mark Jonathan Beech, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, P.O. Box 94000, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – email: mark.beech@dctabudhabi.ae

Abstract:

In this paper we explore the implications of new discoveries from recent archaeological excavations carried out along the coast of Abu Dhabi emirate in the southern Arabian Gulf. Investigations on Delma Island, Marawah Island and Ghagha Island have provided a new insight into Neolithic coastal life in the southern Gulf. Radiocarbon dates indicate that these coastal settlements were occupied by 6500 cal BC (on Ghagha Island), between 5800-4500 cal BC (on Marawah Island) and between 5400-4500 cal BC (on Delma Island). Remarkable settlements with stone architecture with clusters of stone-built rooms preserved to nearly one metre in height have been discovered on both Ghagha and Marawah Islands. Finds include interesting lithics assemblages, plaster vessel fragments, shell and stone beads and other artefacts. Here we will describe some of the key bioarchaeological remains discovered at these sites. These include relatively scarce evidence for the exploitation of terrestrial mammals, but abundant fish bones and marine shells, as well as evidence for the consumption of marine mammals, turtles and other marine organisms. Early evidence for the exploitation of what are presumed to be wild date palms has been identified from Delma Island, raising the possibility of them being harvested in Eastern Arabia prior to their subsequent regional domestication. Evidence of this highly specialised maritime economy demonstrates an alternative pathway and strategy utilised in this region of South-West Asia during the Neolithic period. It shows a complex interdependent economy that leveraged the region’s rich marine resources on the Fertile Coast.

This paper will be presented in the following session:

R29 – Breaking the Neolithic in Asia: Questioning Tropes, Recentering Boundaries and Nuancing Lifeways

Jennifer Bates / Seoul National University, South Korea
Matthew L. Conte / Seoul National University, South Korea
Yeji Lee / Seoul National University, South Korea
JungWoo Choi / Seoul National University, South Korea
Kim Pangyu / Seoul National University, South Korea

Abstract

That the Three Age system and the subdivisions of the lithic ages do not work outside Europe and Near East has been debated in many forums. However, beyond this easily cited trope, the age-old idea of a “Neolithic” continually raises its head within literature. We see the presence of agriculture as a way to ‘mark’ the Neolithic, the absence of microliths as a marker of change, and ceramics used to debate the validity of chronological boundaries. Nuances underlying what this meant for the lives lived by people and the diversity underlying this in different regions are often overlooked in the eagerness to ‘find’ the Neolithic. The Neolithic has in essence become an ‘archaeo-geological age’ – so stratigraphically bounded and ubiquitous we find it hard to break from its presence. Local narratives are peripheralized in favour of an all encompassing, un-nuanced and imported age. In this session we invite papers that explore diversity and break the homogeneity of ‘Neolithic’ life in Asia, moving away from mere tropes to how new lifeways were adopted, assimilated, rejected or replaced in different parts of Asia. Debates in the Neolithic of Asia (e.g.: use of aquatic resources, the adoption of pastoral and agricultural systems, domestication, changes in technology) are sought to explore the diversity of what it was ‘to have been Neolithic’. Through this session we ask: is there something about the ‘Neolithic’ as a concept and term that helps people to understand the diversity of lifeways and societies associated with it across regions within Asia?

About the 2024 World Neolithic Congress

The 2024 World Neolithic Congress aims to bring together discussion of diverse Neolithic formations that took place across different geographical locations in different time-frames following diverse cultural and socio-economic trajectories. The Congress will provide a platform for comparing increasing Neolithic social complexity in different parts of the world.

The emergence of Neolithic cultures has been one of the most critical turning points in human history laying the foundations for our present global impact and population size, and playing a significant role in the evolution of human society over the past 12,000 years.

The Congress intends to challenge conventional theories and terminologies on the emergence and the development of productive and newly adapted ways of living.

Focus will be on sedentary lifeways, impacts on nature, the built environment , social hierarchies, the cognitive frameworks for ever-shifting norms, ontological approaches, symbols, identities, beliefs, cult practices, sanctuaries, artworks, cognition, innovation , technologies, languages, craft specialization, resilience, demographic pressure, climatic fluctuations, defining the impact of environmental settings; the use and implications of natural and bioscience research, particularly genetic, isotopic, residues, radiocarbon dating, physical anthropology, geoarchaeology, and also the most recent archaeological results from primary and secondary core areas of Neolithic formations.

The Congress aims to foster new ways of looking and thinking about Neolithic phenomena on both local and global scales.