After archaeologists discovered the UAE's oldest mosque last September in Al Ain, artefacts dating back 8,000 years have now been excavated just 160 kilometres west of the capital, attesting to the nation's rich past. The archaeological finds on Marawah Island – unearthed by Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) – reveal the UAE's earliest Stone Age village. And while the site may have first been found in the 1990s, only now do we fully understand the extraordinary sophistication of this Neolithic settlement.
The excavations have given us a window onto what life was like for Abu Dhabi's earliest inhabitants. At that time, the territory was greener and cooler, home to a sedentary civilisation that built permanent stone houses and herded sheep and goats. The remains include flint arrowheads, pearl oyster shell buttons and, impressively, early art in the form of fragments of decorated plaster. The sophistication of these items point to a refined culture on the island 8,000 years ago. Dr Mark Beech, one of the archaeologists on the site, explained that the Neolithic villagers managed to adapt by shaping their environment to their advantage. "They built their houses at the highest point to catch the breeze," he said. The adaptation and resourcefulness of that early community is also evidenced in their trade links, which spanned the region, making the UAE a locus of contact between east and west.
These discoveries are not just fascinating. They are immensely valuable and DCT’s archaeological drive is part of a broader mission to find, protect and promote heritage sites that speak to the history of the land on which we now stand. As Mohamed Al Mubarak, DCT chairman, said, these findings “can inform future generations”. As Sheikh Zayed said, to succeed in the future, we must understand our past. These extraordinary relics remind us that the UAE, a relatively young country famed for its cutting-edge technology and modernity, is rooted in ancient history. And unsurprisingly, its people have been open to the world since the dawn of time.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The biog
Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.
Favourite car: Lamborghini
AGL AWARDS
Golden Ball - best Emirati player: Khalfan Mubarak (Al Jazira)
Golden Ball - best foreign player: Igor Coronado (Sharjah)
Golden Glove - best goalkeeper: Adel Al Hosani (Sharjah)
Best Coach - the leader: Abdulaziz Al Anbari (Sharjah)
Fans' Player of the Year: Driss Fetouhi (Dibba)
Golden Boy - best young player: Ali Saleh (Al Wasl)
Best Fans of the Year: Sharjah
Goal of the Year: Michael Ortega (Baniyas)
Second Test
In Dubai
Pakistan 418-5 (declared)
New Zealand 90 and 131-2 (follow on)
Day 3: New Zealand trail by 197 runs with 8 wickets remaining
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Yemen's Bahais and the charges they often face
The Baha'i faith was made known in Yemen in the 19th century, first introduced by an Iranian man named Ali Muhammad Al Shirazi, considered the Herald of the Baha'i faith in 1844.
The Baha'i faith has had a growing number of followers in recent years despite persecution in Yemen and Iran.
Today, some 2,000 Baha'is reside in Yemen, according to Insaf.
"The 24 defendants represented by the House of Justice, which has intelligence outfits from the uS and the UK working to carry out an espionage scheme in Yemen under the guise of religion.. aimed to impant and found the Bahai sect on Yemeni soil by bringing foreign Bahais from abroad and homing them in Yemen," the charge sheet said.
Baha'Ullah, the founder of the Bahai faith, was exiled by the Ottoman Empire in 1868 from Iran to what is now Israel. Now, the Bahai faith's highest governing body, known as the Universal House of Justice, is based in the Israeli city of Haifa, which the Bahais turn towards during prayer.
The Houthis cite this as collective "evidence" of Bahai "links" to Israel - which the Houthis consider their enemy.
Business Insights
- As per the document, there are six filing options, including choosing to report on a realisation basis and transitional rules for pre-tax period gains or losses.
- SMEs with revenue below Dh3 million per annum can opt for transitional relief until 2026, treating them as having no taxable income.
- Larger entities have specific provisions for asset and liability movements, business restructuring, and handling foreign permanent establishments.
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
English Premiership semi-finals
Saracens 57
Wasps 33
Exeter Chiefs 36
Newcastle Falcons 5
What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
'The Batman'
Stars:Robert Pattinson
Director:Matt Reeves
Rating: 5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Game Changer
Director: Shankar
Stars: Ram Charan, Kiara Advani, Anjali, S J Suryah, Jayaram
Rating: 2/5
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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How to avoid crypto fraud
- Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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