Historical Sites in the UAE - Research Paper Example

Historical Sites in the UAE Located on the southeastern coast of the Persian Gulf, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a federation of seven emirates, which have a long history (Al-Alkim 19). Within the UAE, a number of historical sites exist that show that this area has been occupied by human beings for thousands of years. This area was a center of regional trade for many centuries and its trade relationships went as far as with Mesopotamia. A significant number of tribes were settled in the UAE region in the pre-Islamic era both at the coast and the interior and these were eventually brought into the Muslim empire in the seventh century. The long history of human habitation of the area has brought about a situation where a number of historical sites show evidence of the different eras that have taken place. These have mainly been as a result of the human ability to adapt to their environment and to express themselves through the construction of significant monuments that have ended up becoming significant historical sites. In this paper, there will be a discussion of three important historical sites of the UAE that include Qasr al-Hosn, the Al Badiyah Mosque, and finally, the Al Hili Archeological Park. Qasr al-Hosn The Qasr al-Hosn is located in the city of Abu Dhabi and it is considered the oldest stone building in the city. Located in the Sheikh Zayed the First Street, it was constructed in 1761 as a conical tower designed to ensure that the only fresh water well in the area was protected. Seeing the advantage of this site, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, Shakhbut bin Dhiyab Al Nahyan, in 1793 decided to expand this tower into a small fort who also established it into his permanent residence (Maitra 262). As the official seat of the Abu Dhabi sheikhs for centuries, Qasr al-Hosn gained significant value within the emirate because it came to be associated with government. This historical landmark has seen various renovations over its long history, which went according to the taste of the various rulers who occupied it. Following the discovery of oil in the UAE, this site was given a major extension and it took on its current shape as a result of the oil revenues which allowed the Abu Dhabi emirate to have the funds necessary to expand the residence of the emir. As the official seat of the Abu Dhabi government until 1966, this fort has also become the home of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation whose purpose is to preserve the rich cultural history of the emirate. The Qasr al-Hosn has become a major tourist attraction for those who visit the UAE because it displays a number of rarely seen architectural aspects that are a part of the traditional Arab architectural styles. Furthermore, because some of its parts not being open to the public except for certain times of the year, such as during the Qasr al-Hosn festival, it is a major tourist site especially for locals. It has further been the subject of extensive interest from archeologists, historians, and architects who have discovered different points of interests within it because as a result of it’s nearly three centuries of history, it has become prominent as a place of study concerning the rich history of the region. Currently, the Qasr al-Hosn is the site of a museum that has put in display artifacts and pictures that are representative of the history of Abu Dhabi as well as the rest of the UAE. Furthermore, also on display is a range of weapons that have been used in the region throughout its history. The Qasr al-Hosn can be considered an architectural masterpiece because architects have found that during its original construction in an area where it was close to seawater, it built in such a way that it has been able to stand for over two centuries. The ability of this fort to withstand the dangers that is posed by underground water without the use of modern technology is considered by architects to be unique and it has been the subject of major studies. Researchers have found compelling evidence that shows that the northeast tower of the inner fort is the original structure around which the rest of Qasr al-Hosn was built. This assessment is based on the evidence of subtle architectural design that has been a subject of the study of this fort for many years. The various modifications that have been made within Qasr al-Hosn show the influence of the use of mainly Western architectural materials as they are integrated with traditional Arab materials to create a finished product that is represents both the past and future of the country. This site is considered to be an integral part of the history of Abu Dhabi because it contains within it evidence of the evolution of this emirate from a small village in the middle of a desert into the capital of the UAE. Figure 1. Qasr al-Hosn (Source: atraveler.eu) Al Badiyah Mosque The Al Badiyah Mosque is the oldest building of its type in the United Arab Emirates and it is located in the emirate of Fujairah. It is situated within the small village of Badiyah where it has been standing for centuries and continues to host prayers on a daily basis. While this may be the case, the exact age of this mosque has yet to be determined because as a result of its being constructed through the use of local materials that does not include wood, its age cannot be determined through carbon dating. However, research carried out has estimated that this structure was constructed during the 15th century and that it must have been constructed alongside the two watchtowers that overlook the village. This mosque has been subject of diverse investigations to determine its age with the most noteworthy being the collaboration between the archaeological center within the Fujairah emirate and the University of Sydney in the late 1990 with the results showing a possible date of construction being the year 1446. However, some researchers have estimated that this mosque is much older than is normally stated and that it is possible that it might have been constructed as far back as 640 (The Oldest Mosque in the Country). While its exact age is not known, this mosque has become an important landmark in the UAE with a significant number of tourists visiting it every year. This historical site, as a result of its historical significant, has attracted researchers from all over the world, especially those who are interested in the study of Islamic architecture. The structure of the mosque is constructed from material that can easily be found in the area, especially stones of varying sizes as well as plastered mud bricks. The result is that there develops a unique form of building, which, despite the material that has been used to construct it has ensured that it has stood for centuries. The roof of this site has four helical domes that is supported by a pillar in the center which is also based on the ceiling. Within the prayer room, there is a small niche, which indicates the direction of Mecca with a pulpit as well as arches. The simple design of the prayer room is what makes this mosque quite attractive because it allows for the recognition of the direct intentions of the architect, which was the development of a suitable space for prayers. The division of the internal space of the mosque into four squares of equal dimensions by a central pillar is another unique aspect of this structure because it is this same pillar, which is also responsible for supporting all the domes that can be seen from the outside. There is free ventilation within the prayer room as a result of a series of small decorative windows which also serve the purpose of allowing light into the room. In addition, cube-shaped spaces are curved into the walls and these serve as a library for the mosque because it is here that all the books that are in the premises are stored. Despite its having undergone renovations over the years, the Al Badiyah Mosque has retained its original structure with only minor changes being made to it. This structure is a testament to the long history of Islamic architecture because despite its simplicity, it still evokes a sense of awe on those who see it. As a result of its being open to the public at all times, it is a major tourist attraction and it has over the years made it possible for the village of Badiyah to remain on the global map as one of the most important historical sites in the UAE. Figure 2. The Al Badiya Mosque with a tower in the background (Source: tripadvisor.co.uk) The Al Hili Archaeological Park The Al Hili Archaeological Park is one of the most significant historical sites in the UAE because it is the home of the largest Bronze Age site in the country. Located in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, this site has developed into one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UAE while at the same time being an archaeological site (Fuccaro and Potter 395). There are many remains that are located within this park and these include settlements and tombs dating from the Iron Age. This site is quite extensive with some of it being located outside the park in a protected area for making sure that it is not disturbed by excessive human activity. The most important aspects of this archaeological park are the tombs in the area that come from the Umm al-Nar culture during the Bronze Age. The largest of these is the Hili Grand Tomb, which has been reconstructed and shows an example of Bronze Age architecture to the world. There are twelve tombs, which have been found within the archaeological park and the areas adjacent to it, and the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi brought these to the attention of archaeologists in the 1960s. The Grand Tomb has been restored in accordance with the Umm al-Nar culture where the tombs are circular in shape. Furthermore, there are four internal compartments within it, which are constructed in such a way as to divide these compartments. It should also be noted that this tomb has to entrances and that burials took place in all of the compartments mentioned above. The tombs that are located in the archaeological park seem to have been used for the purpose of communal burials and that over a significant period, the number of people seems to have increased to several hundred. It is speculated by archaeologists that the Grand Tomb may have been in use for over a period of some two centuries; thus explaining the large number of people found buried within it. The excavation process within this tomb was started in the 1970s and it brought to light new discoveries that showed the richness of this site. Among these was the large number of fragmented human remains as well as hundreds of works of pottery among others. Most of the tombs that are found in the Umm al-Nar culture were constructed in such a way that they could be visible over significant distances and while the well cut stones that were used in their construction were stolen to be used in other construction, those that were constructed beneath the surface survived. Structures other than the tombs can also be found within the archaeological park and these are mainly fortified towers from the Bronze Age. These towers were constructed of dried mud bricks and these extended up to twenty meters in diameter and may have played a significant role in the defense of the people who had settled the region. The available evidence at the Al Hili Archaeological Park shows that the settlement must have covered about ten hectares, and that its inhabitants took part in agricultural activities as their main economic activity. However, these people also seem to have been active in trade to such an extent that they were involved in the mining and export of copper from the adjacent Hajar Mountains. The copper that was mined was exported to the Mesopotamia region while being exchanged for items such as pottery among others from as far as Persia and the Indus Valley. It seems that the Umm al-Nar culture participated in sea travel with Umm al-Nar Island serving as the main port from which either ships or boats embarked on their journey through the Persian Gulf either for the purpose of trade as well as fishing. Being the oldest archaeological site in the UAE, the Al Hili Archaeological Part is one of the most important tourist attractions in the country because it provides visitors with a glimpse of the events that took place during the Bronze Age. Figure 3. A Bronze Age tomb in the Al Hili Archaeological Park (Source: my-super-space.com) Conclusion The UAE is home to some of the most important historical sites in the Gulf region and these offer a better perspective of regional history from the earliest times to the present. The government of the UAE has taken an active part in preserving these sites for making sure that the rich history and culture of the country is not lost. The discussion above has shown that the Qasr al-Hosn, the Al Badiyah Mosque, and the Al Hili Archaeological Park are some of the most important historical sited in the UAE and has also discussed some of their features as well as their historical significance. These sites are not only important, but they also show the historical diversity of the region as the communities living within it sought to adapt their culture to their environment. Works Cited Al-Alkim, Hassan. "UAE Policy Toward the Sub-Regional Powers." Middle East Policy 6.4 (1999): 19-23. Fuccaro, Nelida, and Potter, Lawrence G. "The Persian Gulf in History." Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies.University of London 75.2 (2012): 395-6. Maitra, Jayanti. Qasr al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi 1793–1966. National Center for Documentation and Research, 2001. “The Oldest Mosque in the Country,” The National Interest. December 4, 2010. Web. 30 June 2015 Read More