Architectural elements testify to a striking civilization in history
# The most beautiful winter in the world .. The “role” site .. human settlement since the third millennium BC
The archaeological site of Al-Dur was discovered in 1974 by an Iraqi archaeological team that conducted archaeological surveys in the country.
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The Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain is keen to preserve the historical buildings and archaeological sites in the emirate, and to work to respect the elements of heritage, and to achieve integration in the unique diversity of the tourism industry in the emirate, to bring together in a harmonious mixture of heritage, tourism, entertainment and culture.
The Department attaches great importance to archaeological excavation projects, in line with the Umm Al Quwain government's strategy aimed at encouraging, supporting and organizing antiquities searches and excavations in various archaeological areas in the emirate, with the aim of uncovering more stages of the history of archaeological sites.
The department is also making great efforts to highlight the deep historical and heritage aspect of the region, and to keep pace with development and modernity in the field of monuments preservation and restoration according to international standards.
Among these archaeological sites is the “Al-Dur” site, which is considered one of the most important archaeological sites in the country in particular and the Arab Gulf region in general, due to the multiple periods of human settlement at the site, the oldest of which dates back to the third millennium BC, and continued until the middle of the third century AD. The Department of Tourism and Antiquities to include the site on the World Heritage List of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
History of settlement
The Department of Tourism and Antiquities in Umm Al Quwain said that a visitor to the “Al-Dur” site will get acquainted with the history of human settlement witnessed in the region, through its architectural elements that bear witness to the place’s civilization and settlement stories through its monuments built from maritime stone, the most important of which is the ancient Al-Dur Temple, the Temple Sun god ».
The department added that the temple of the "sun god" or the ancient temple of Al-Dur is located in a basin surrounded by sand dunes from the eastern and southern sides. It is the only temple dating back to the first century AD, and it was described as the temple of the sublime god "Shamash", based on the stone basin discovered in it. It is a rectangular basin, on which there are nine lines of the Aramaic language. Among the words the name “Shamash” appears in the Aramaic language, and from the name it was assumed that the temple was dedicated to the worship of the sun god.
Defensive fortress
The department also recently completed the restoration work of the defensive fort at the archaeological site, in cooperation with the UNESCO-approved restorer Simon Wark, by following the best practices to preserve the authenticity of the building, and by using the local materials used in the building previously to preserve the historical value of the fort.
The Department of Tourism and Antiquities said that the history of the fort dates back to the first century AD, and it was discovered in 1974 AD during the archaeological survey carried out by the Iraqi mission, then the British mission excavated the fort in 1987 AD, and discovered many archaeological finds dating back to the first century AD. .
Marine stones
The circle indicated that the fort was built of marine stones, and it is rectangular in shape. Four circular towers are based on its outer corners and the entrance is in the eastern direction, and inside it there are several internal rooms.
Returning to the history of the archaeological site, the Department of Tourism and Antiquities revealed that the archaeological site of Al-Dur was discovered in 1974 AD, by an Iraqi archaeological team, which worked on conducting archaeological surveys in the country. The results of the survey resulted in the discovery of a number of archaeological finds on the surface of the site, In addition to the remains of some buildings and cemeteries, the most important of which are the remains of a small square-shaped castle with walls built of marine stone, about 20 meters long, and it has a circular tower in each of its four corners.
The team also found a group of pottery shards and coins, some of which belonged to a local minting center.
In 1980-1981, the archaeologist “Jean-Francois Sall” carried out an extensive archaeological survey at Al-Dur, and he published a special study on the pottery that was found during his survey.
Site
The archaeological site is located on the right side of Al-Ittihad Street leading from the Emirate of Umm Al Quwain to Ras Al Khaimah, and is about seven meters above sea level, overlooking Khor Al Bayda directly, and its total area is about three square kilometers, and the medium sand dunes cover most of its parts that spread over it Ghaf and sheep trees.
Altars and cemeteries
In 1986 AD, a Belgian archaeological mission, led by the archaeologist “Arne Henrik”, excavated the site for several seasons. His excavations resulted in the discovery of many stone buildings, such as a square-shaped temple whose walls were covered with mortar, dating back to the first century AD. And it turns towards the east, and in front of it were a number of altars and stone burials.
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Efforts to include the
site in the
list of
World Heritage Organization «UNESCO».
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