Unearthed: The UAE’s First Major Iron Age Cemetery Sheds Light on Long-Lost Burial Traditions

A huge find recently dropped in Al Ain: the first major Iron Age cemetery in the UAE, and it’s about 3,000 years old. This isn’t just any dig; this discovery fills in a massive gap in the region’s history.

Iron Age burial customs and the people who lived here have been a mystery for a long time, but now we’ve got real evidence to piece it together.

Inside the Tombs: What Archaeologists Found

More than 100 graves were found, and they came with a treasure trove of artifacts:

• Drinking vessels, bowls, and cups
• Copper weapons (spearheads, arrowheads)
• Gold beads, jewelry, plus items like shell cosmetic containers, bracelets, rings, and razors
• Human remains but fragile, soon to be analyzed for age, gender, and DNA, helping to figure out who lived here and where they might have come from.

Why This Site Stayed Hidden for So Long

These tombs were hidden deep underground with no obvious markers. The burial chambers were sealed with mud bricks or stones, then covered over with dirt, making them tough to spot. It’s part of why this discovery is so significant—it’s taken this long to find them.

How Looting Changed the Story

Sadly, all the tombs had been looted long ago. A few small pieces of gold jewelry survived the looters’ attention, hinting at what could’ve been there. But even with the missing treasures, the artifacts left behind are still providing crucial info about the Iron Age in this area.

Why This Discovery is Huge

This is a game-changer. It’s the best-preserved Iron Age cemetery found in the UAE, and it’s giving us a rare look into a time that’s mostly been hidden.

Over the last 65 years, archaeologists have uncovered other Iron Age sites in Al Ain, villages, forts, and even palm gardens, but this is the first time they’ve found something like this.

Now, thanks to the Funerary Landscapes of Al Ain Project, which kicked off in 2024, we’re finally getting a clearer picture of how life looked back then.

This discovery isn’t just about ancient bones and artifacts—it’s about finally filling in a missing chapter of the UAE’s story. The Iron Age cemetery in Al Ain gives us rare insight into how people lived, honored their dead, and what mattered to them 3,000 years ago.

And with more analysis still to come, we’re only just beginning to understand the full scope of what’s been uncovered.

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