You are welcome to attend the last ARWA Online Lecture on Zoom on the Archaeology of the Arabian Peninsula, held by Dr Kevin Lidour from our Historic Environment Department team at the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT), Abu Dhabi.
Date: June 19th, 2024, at 4 pm CET (6 PM UAE time)
“Exploring the Coastal Neolithic of Eastern Arabia: Insights into Ancient Maritime Cultures”
Despite significant fieldwork conducted over the past decades, the Neolithic period (c. 6500-3300 BCE) in Eastern Arabia remains poorly defined culturally. This period is characterized by a lack of agriculture and only vaguely defined pastoral practices, making the definition of a regional Neolithic economy a subject of debate. In this presentation, we propose to explore another aspect of the cultural evolution of human societies in Eastern Arabia at the beginning of the Holocene: ancient maritime adaptations. These adaptations not only support the theoretical construction of a regional Neolithic but also attest to the development of a maritime culture with a sophistication level rarely equaled in Southwest Asia.
You can now watch this lecture on the YouTube ARWA channel:
You are cordially invited to the Private Viewing of a New Solo Exhibition by Mark Dickens “A Conversation with Nature“, which will take place at the Terrace Gallery at Manarat Al Saadiyat in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday 4th June 2024 from 6-9pm. The exhibition will be open from 10am – 8pm every day until Sunday 30th June 2024. You can RSVP to: acwnmanarat@gmail.com
To view a flipbook version of the exhibition catalogue click here
To download a pdf of the exhibition catalogue click here
Two of the works were created in collaboration with two members of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi team: Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (Curatorial & Scientific Lead, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi) Professor Phil Manning (Chair of Natural History, University of Manchester, UK).
…. who both contributed some text to the artwork “A Natural World – Conversation”. Mixed Media on Paper with original quotations from Prof. Phillip L. Manning and Dr Mark Beech, 51cms x 41 cms.
Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (left) together with the artist Mark Dickens (right)
Natural History is our past, present and future. This deep history was born along with time itself. Our Sun was distilled from the billions of stars in the Universe and nurtured a seemingly impossible foothold for life. Earth’s story is 4.6 billion years in the making, but is still being written today. Natural History has been bound to our species since the dawn of time, but we have neglected this relationship, this primordial score, one whose rhythm and language has seemingly been forgotten….we once spoke fluent nature. The beat of the natural world still lifts our hearts and opens our minds to the endless forms most beautiful that surround us. We must learn how to engage in a conversation with nature, but not forget to listen.
In the tapestry of time, where epochs intertwine,
Lie the whispers of ages, tales carved in stone divine.
In the dance of millennia, where the Earth’s secrets sleep,
Palaeontology and archaeology their ancient vigils keep.
Through the corridors of eons, where shadows softly creep,
They sift through the sands, where forgotten memories weep.
Each fossil, a chapter, in nature’s grand design,
Reveals the symphony of life, in its rhythms sublime.
From primordial seas to towering peaks that climb,
They traverse the longue durée, in search of the sublime.
For in the annals of time, where history’s echoes chime,
Lies the essence of existence, in the passage of time.
I am one of the people who appears in the Voices of Advocacy video campaign (english version) to promote the Saadiyat Cultural District.
Two of my curatorial colleagues from the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (NHMAD), Noora Abdulla Albalooshi and Hamad Younis Almarzooqi, also appear in the arabic version of the Voices of Advocacy video.
Saadiyat Cultural District is one of the preeminent global destinations, that brings together diverse culture and fosters knowledge and understanding through its museums, educational and cultural institutions. The anchoring museums of Saadiyat Cultural District encompass natural history, cultural heritage and contemporary creative expression and are places that collectively tell the story of the United Arab Emirates, the world, and the connections that have fostered creativity and innovation for millennia.
Today marked the launch of the Saadiyat Cultural District Abu Dhabi media campaign. Several videos were released, as well as stories released in the press.
1 May 2024 – I gave a lecture entitled “A Thousand and One Fossils: A Lecture on the History of Abu Dhabi” at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, held at the Abu Dhabi International Exhibition Centre. The event was part of the Inspire: Cultural Programme – Venue: Lifestyle Corner – Hall 9; Wednesday 1st May 2024 at 5:00 pm. This was linked to the publication of the book:
Bibi, F., A. Hill and M. Beech. 2017. A Thousand and One Fossils – Discoveries in the Desert at Al Gharbia. Yale University Publications in Anthropology and Abu Dhabi Tourism and Culture Authority. ISBN 978-1933789071. http://yalebooks.com/book/9781933789071/thousand-and-one-fossils
Attend an Interactive workshop about the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (age group 8+) which will take place at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Tuesday 30th April at 09:30 AM.
The workshop includes:
A dialogue about the the planet earth’s evolution (preferably with live models).
Discussion around the question: do dinosaurs exist in the United Arab Emirates? Leading us to the interesting fact about the museum containing the Tyrannosaurus skeleton.
Showcasing a set of flash cards of (rocks, insects, extinct or endangered creatures) the children then try to guess what is in the picture, then they play the game of matching the picture with the right name.
Programme Type
Inspire: Cultural Programme
Venue:
Abu Dhabi International Book Fair – Saadiyaat Cultural District Stand – Hall 8D 90
Date & Time
Tuesday 30 Apr 2024
09:30 AM
Attend a session entitled “A Journey Through the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi” led by Sara Almarzooqi (Assistant Curator, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi) which will take place at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Tuesday 30th April at 5:00 PM.
Session Details:
This session will introduce attendees to the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi. It will take attendees on a tour through the visitor’s journey of the museum. It will showcase some key specimen that will be on display for the public to view and will highlight the importance of these specimen to the UAE and science overall.
Programme Type
Inspire: Cultural Programme
Venue
Saadiyat Cultural District Stand – Hall 8D 90
Date & Time
Tuesday 30th April 2024
5:00 PM
Attend a lecture entitled “A Thousand and One Fossils: A Lecture on the History of Abu Dhabi” by Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (Curatorial and Scientific Lead, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi), which will take place at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Wednesday 1st May at 5:00 PM.
Session Details:
Join Dr. Mark Beech, a distinguished archaeologist, in his lecture “A Thousand and One Fossils” – Dr. Beech will provide insightful perspectives on the scientific significance of each fossil, shedding light on the evolutionary process and environmental changes that shaped life on Earth. Don’t miss out on this immersive experience that will deepen your understanding of the wonders of Earth’s history, led by Dr. Mark Beech, a leading figure in the field of archaeology.
Programme Type
Inspire: Cultural Programme
Venue
Lifestyle Corner – Hall 9
Date & Time
Wednesday 01 MAY 2024
05:00 PM
Attend a lecture entitled “Meteorites as Rosetta stones from space – Meteorites in the UAE” by Dr Ludovic Ferrière (Curator of Geology and Meteorites, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi), which will take place at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair on Saturday 4th May at 5:00 PM.
Session Details:
After a general introduction on meteorites and answering basic questions such as what do we learn from them? What drives us to search and to study them? and presenting some anecdotes on some historical meteorite falls and finds, Dr. Ferrière will discuss the meteorites that are known in the UAE. He will conclude his session with a presentation on what is planned in term of meteorites at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, not only in the exhibition but also in the backstage in term of research projects on meteorites at the Museum.
Two of the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi (NHMAD) team spoke at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi, to be held from 3-5 March 2024 at Manarat Al Saadiyat.
Monday 4 March 2024
17:35 PM – 18:05 PM
Location: MAS Auditorium
Type: Case Study
Session: Culture and Climate Change
Speakers:
– Bastien Varoutsikos (Director of Strategic Development, ALIPH Foundation) – Mark Beech (Curatorial & Scientific Lead – Natural History Museum – Abu Dhabi)
– Teresa Patricio (President, ICOMOS)
CULTURE AND CLIMATE CHANGE
The vulnerability of culture in the face of climate change has been explored in past editions of the Abu Dhabi Culture Summit. This year, in advance of COP 28, we explore how culture is also a source of resilience and can be a driving force for climate action. In this case study, Bastien Varoutsikos, Director of Strategic Development, ALIPH Foundation is inviting us to delve into the vital connection between preserving cultural heritage to address the challenges posed by climate emergency through the first-hand experiences of global experts. The case study will explore in particular the role of museums, policymaking and the preservation of the built heritage offering a positive spin on this complex relationship between culture and climate change.
Tuesday 5 March 2024
11:50 AM – 12:40 PM
Location: MAS Theatre
Type: Panel
Session: Climate Change: The Catalyst for New Cultural Dialogues?
Speakers:
– Moustafa Bayoumi (Climate Change Research Fellow, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Abu Dhabi) – Professor Phil Manning (Chair of Natural History, University of Manchester)
– Phloeun Prim (Executive Director, Living Arts International)
– Adriana Sandoval Trujillo (Head of Press and Culture, Embassy of Colombia to the United Kingdom)
CLIMATE CHANGE: THE CATALYST FOR NEW CULTURAL DIALOGUES?
In this engaging conversation, Moustafa Bayoumi, Research Fellow, Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA) will explore with cultural leaders from across the globe how the global climate crisis has ignited profound discussions across diverse cultures, bridging boundaries, fostering collaboration and, sometimes, unexpected cultural dialogues. The panelists will share their insights on how climate change is not just an environmental issue but also a catalyst for cultural exchange, leading to innovative solutions and a deeper understanding of our interconnected world.
The Culture Summit Abu Dhabi is annual global forum that convenes leaders from the fields of arts, design, heritage, media, museums, public policy and technology, to identify ways in which culture can transform societies and communities worldwide.
There will be 90+ sessions and 180+ speakers from 90+ countries.
In the 2024 edition, Culture Summit will explore our changing relation to time, how this change is impacting the way culture is produced, received and consumed but also the role culture – which so often holds together past, present, future – could play to help us navigate this moment of inflection in the way we relate to the notion of time, moving from a ‘mechanical time’ characteristic of our contemporary era to a ‘new cultural time’ realigned with the rhythm of human awareness and nature.
The agenda will feature keynotes, plenary sessions, panel discussions, artist talks, case study workshops, creative conversations, policy sessions, cultural performances, and a visual art exhibition.
The event’s key global partners include UNESCO, Economist Impact, Design Museum, Google, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation, and the Recording Academy. Additional Culture Summit Abu Dhabi partners include Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy, Arab World Institute, Berklee Abu Dhabi, Club de Madrid, Cultural Foundation, IFACCA, Image Nation Abu Dhabi, Louvre Abu Dhabi, NYUAD and World Cities Culture Forum, and Zayed National Museum.
Here are details of the meeting. Members of the public are invited to attend this free event. You can register to attend the talk by clicking here
SCIENCE TALK: ANCIENT ABU DHABI
6:30pm
Welcome note
6:35pm – 7:00pm
Dr. Thomas Steuber
Sea-level and climate change in the Arabian Gulf during the last ice ages: A history derived from rocks, sediments, and fossils of coastal Abu Dhabi.
7:00pm – 7:25pm
Dr. Mark Beech
From Ancient Seas to when Elephants Walked in Abu Dhabi – what fossils tell us about the historic environments of the UAE.
7:25 – 7:45pm
Q&A
SeaWorld filmed the Science Talk: Ancient Abu Dhabi – this featured the following:
– Welcome and Introduction by Dr Elise Marquis (SeaWorld) [0-4:10 mins]
– Dr Thomas Steuber (Khalifa University) [4:10 -29:38 mins]
Sea-level and climate change in the Arabian Gulf during the last ice ages: A history derived from rocks, sediments, and fossils of coastal Abu Dhabi.
– Dr Mark Jonathan Beech (Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi)
[29:38 – 1:05:38 mins]
From Ancient Seas to when Elephants Walked in Abu Dhabi – what fossils tell us about the historic environments of the UAE.
– Question and Answer session [1:06:10 – 1:32:08 mins]
I am a co-author on three papers just published in the book:
Advances in UAE Archaeology: Proceedings of Abu Dhabi’s Archaeology Conference 2022.
Edited by: Pascale El Fadi, Maureen Gannon, Kinan Al Shohof and Tareq Al Ghoul.
Zayed National Museum – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Archaeopress. 2023.
ISBN 978-1-80327-673-1 (hardback)
ISBN 978-1-80327-716-5 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-80327-674-8 (e-Pdf)
You can download and read the entire book by clicking here, or you can separately download these specific papers I co-authored:
Noura Al Hameli, Richard Thorburn Cuttler, Mark Jonathan Beech, Peter Magee, Kevin Lidour, Baptiste Pradier, Rémy Crassard, Howell Magnus Roberts and Áurea Izquierdo Zamora. 2023. Funerary practices within Mortuary Complex F: New insights from recent excavations on Marawah Island. Pages 73-102, in: Pascale El Fadi, Maureen Gannon, Kinan Al Shohof and Tareq Al Ghoul (eds.), Advances in UAE Archaeology: Proceedings of Abu Dhabi’s Archaeology Conference 2022. Zayed National Museum – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Archaeopress.
[ download here =>> ]
Rémy Crassard, Noura Hamad Al Hameli, Mark Jonathan Beech and
Richard Thorburn Howard Cuttler. 2023. Preliminary comparative lithic analyses from the Neolithic sites of Marawah and Ghagha islands (emirate of Abu Dhabi, UAE). Pages 103-114, in: Pascale El Fadi, Maureen Gannon, Kinan Al Shohof and Tareq Al Ghoul (eds.), Advances in UAE Archaeology: Proceedings of Abu Dhabi’s Archaeology Conference 2022. Zayed National Museum – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Archaeopress.
[ download here =>> ]
Tariq Yousif Alhammadi, Richard Thorburn Howard Cuttler, Mark Jonathan Beech and Ahmed Abdalla El Faki. 2023. Developing a Historic Environment Record system for the management of heritage resources in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Pages 429-446, in: Pascale El Fadi, Maureen Gannon, Kinan Al Shohof and Tareq Al Ghoul (eds.), Advances in UAE Archaeology: Proceedings of Abu Dhabi’s Archaeology Conference 2022. Zayed National Museum – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi and Archaeopress.
[ download here =>> ]
I recently published the following contribution in the catalogue of the Emirati artist Hashel Al Lamki’s “Maqam” exhibition at this year’s Abu Dhabi Art, held at Manarat Al Saadiyat between 22-26 November 2023.
Beech, M.J. 2023. The Geology of Abu Dhabi Emirate: In every layer, a history untold. Pages 11-18, in: Venetia Porter and Laura Cherrie Beaney (eds.), Maqam – Hashel Al Lamki. Abu Dhabi Art – Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi. ISBN: 978-9948-769-02-6 [ download here =>>]
Abu Dhabi Art presented the Gateway Exhibition: Maqam, curated by the curator Venetia Porter, in collaboration with the artist Hashel Al Lamki. Hashel Al Lamki is one of the leading lights of the UAE. Early to grasp the importance of climate action and environmental consciousness, he was also among the first of his generation to realise the need for artists to work together, to offer peer to peer critique and to create collaborative artist-run spaces.
Growing up in the Al Maqam district of Al Ain, Hashel was influenced by the beauty of its landscape and in particular by the dramatic nearby mountain range of Jebel Hafit. It was here that he first became aware of its ancient geology and the colour of its rocks. In the essay I contributed to the catalogue for this exhibition I give a snapshot of the history of this landscape. starting with the Mesozoic era, 252 to 66 million years ago when Abu Dhabi was submerged beneath the Tethys Sea and when significantly the rocks that now provide the region with its precious resources of oil and gas began to be formed.
Acting Head of Geoscience, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
