The Iron Age cemetery in Al Ain sheds light on a mysterious chapter of UAE history
Here’s something you don’t see every day; archaeologists have just uncovered the UAE’s first major Iron Age cemetery, and it’s right here in Al Ain.
The discovery, announced by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, reveals a sprawling necropolis dating back 3,000 years.
Hidden underground and containing more than 100 tombs, the site is rewriting what we know about life and death in the region during the Iron Age.
.@dctabudhabi has unearthed a major Iron Age cemetery, the first discovery of its kind in Al Ain Region. The site, containing more than a hundred tombs and an array of artefacts, casts a new light on a previously unknown chapter of #AbuDhabi’s rich heritage. pic.twitter.com/vEHNxONTkx
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) April 21, 2025
What’s inside? Think ancient pottery, metal weapons, seashell containers, and jewellery, in short, personal treasures buried with the dead.
Unlike other historical burial sites, these tombs had no surface markers, making them virtually invisible until now.
The find came as part of the Funerary Landscapes of Al Ain project, launched to explore ancient tombs uncovered during construction.
And while the discovery is thrilling on its own, there’s more to come. Human remains found at the site are now being analysed for DNA, with the hope of revealing migration patterns, family ties, and how these ancient communities lived and evolved.
For those who love a bit of mystery, history, and the thrill of discovery, this is one story that digs deep.
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