If you are one of history lovers, there is a place you will definitely find fascinating. Between Jumeirah Road and Al Wasl Road lies Jumeirah Archaeological Site covering 80,000 sq m. A famous destination for archaeologists, researchers, and historians, it was discovered in 1969, however, the excavation was completed in 2020. H.H Sheikh Mohammed inaugurated the visitor’s centre located at the site’s entrance and accompanying museum.
Jumeirah Archaeological Site housed a settlement back in the Abbasid period (9th-10th centuries). It served as a caravan stop on the trade route that connected Oman, Mesopotamia (ancient Iraq), the Arabian Peninsula, and the Far East. The settlement consisted of eight large structures built on farush (a beach rock) and covered with white plaster. This became the reason why the site was nicknamed White City during the excavation.
The buildings include five residential homes, a souk market, a mosque, and an inn with a central courtyard for travellers called caravanserai. The latter is the largest of the buildings: about 1000 sq m. None of them remained intact: what can be found on site today is only their ruins. Although guided tours are available, the information boards which are placed on the site provide the needed historical data to answer visitors’ questions about the remains. The boards depict 3D models of the buildings, so one can clearly imagine them back then.
Since 1969, archaeologists have uncovered numerous ancient artefacts: different tools, pottery jars, plate ware, bronze and silver coins, gold ornaments, carnelian beads, architectural elements, and others. Among the discovered items are also foreign-made wares, such as Chinese celadon pottery. One is welcome to admire the findings at the visitor’s centre. Some of the excavated treasures are on display at the Dubai Museum.
All in all, Jumeirah Archaeological Site is a perfect spot if you would like to touch the ancient history of Dubai. It is worth noting that the site is not entirely explored yet and more excavations are planned, so we can only imagine what other exciting discoveries archaeologists will make here.
You may also be interested in exploring the Qasr al Muwaiji fort and Hatta Heritage Village.
