Sharjah Archaeology Museum’s Treasuries Displayed At Exhibition "Treasures Of The World’s Cultures" In Abu Dhabi

Sharjah Museum Department (SMD) announced the participation of the Sharjah Archaeology Museum in the exhibition "Treasures of the World’s Cultures ", which is being held under the patronage of HE Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan the crown prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces.

The exhibition opened yesterday 17 April and will run until 17 July at Manarat Al Saadiyat on Saadiyat Island, under the organization of the Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority in collaboration with the British Museum.

The three-month exhibition, which features 12 artefacts representing treasures from the selected collection of the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, will highlight a highly significant side of the history of the Arabian Gulf Region, and the history of Sharjah and the UAE in particular.

The event represents an important opportunity for the Sharjah Museum Department to exhibit a set of the most important historical collections from the Sharjah Archaeology Museum, as well as to recognise the status of Sharjah museums and their archaeological collections.

The department’s participation stems from its realization of the importance of this exhibition as an ideal platform for participating institutions and museums to exchange knowledge, as well as for visitors to view the rich collections displayed under one roof, thus helping the audience learn about the region’s rich heritage and historical legacy as well as the history of ancient civilizations.

The extensive collection of artefacts displayed at the exhibition will give visitors a chance to learn about ancestors who lived in this region, their lifestyle, how they adapted to the environment in the Arabian Peninsula as it changed over time, and how they contacted and communicated with other peoples and built strong relations and ties between communities. Visitors will also get an opportunity to explore examples of interconnection that Sharjah enjoyed with nearby areas through exhibited pieces from the Sharjah Archaeology Museum and other artefacts exhibited by other participants.

Among the most important exhibited collections, visitors will view a number of granite collections that were uncovered at the excavation site in Jebel Al Fayah, east of Sharjah, in 2007, such as a stone axe which dates back to around 120,000 years, a breakthrough that brought previous theories about the immigration of human habitants from Africa to the Arabian Peninsula via Yemen around 60,000 to 70,000 years ago into doubt.

Visitors will also learn about the old beliefs of Sharjah’s population during the Bronze Age (3000-1300 BC) who believed in life after death. Visitors will view the most important displays that include ivory combs which were found in a graveyard in Tel Al Abraq, one of which was found stuck on dead man’s skull.

Visitors will be enlightened about the rich life in Mleiha through very important discoveries that include the horse found in Mleiha, buried next to its owner with its bridle ornamented with gold discs, a sign of the people’s belief in the post-death life. They will also learn about the history of Mleiha, which was used a port to import and export goods, through precious pieces that were discovered in a tomb in Dibba, situated on the eastern coast of Sharjah, in addition to other displays that include a huge amount of glass items and bottles from the era of the Roman Empire.

As with all exhibitions organised in the Saadiyat Cultural District, Treasures of the World’s Cultures features a diverse public programme including several lectures by internationally renowned speakers such as Neil MacGregor, Director of the British Museum, Manal Ataya, Director General, Sharjah Museums Department , Dr. Walid Yasin, Manager of Archaeology, Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority, H.E Dr.Zaki Anwar ,Deputy chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for culture & heritage , and Rita Aoun Abdo Art and Cultural Advisor of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Development & Investment Company . More than 20 workshops that are free of charge for children, teens, adults (including educators and corporate organisations) offer a range of art making exercises or opportunities to engage with the exhibition.
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