Excavations at ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.)

The results of seven weeks'research in 1989 by a Belgian team from Gent University at ed-Dur, in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain, are presented. Excavations were continued in the southern part of the site. A fourth altar was found near the temple (area M); graves were excavated in other areas (areas N and AT). A large, undisturbed, semi-subterranean tomb with a barrel-vault and enclosure (area AV) was also discovered.     

Composite bows at ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.)

This article discusses seven bone fragments excavated during the second Belgian archaeological campaign at ed-Dur (tomb G.3831, area N). Rather than weaving implements, these objects are identified as the reinforcing bone laths of composite bows. Information on the composite bow in general—origins, structural composition and technical advantages—will be given. Additionally, the question of which types of composite bows could have been present at ed-Dur and what role these weapons could have played at the site are discussed.     

The terracotta figurines from ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.): the human representations

The present article proposes an examination of the human terracotta figurines found during the course of eight archaeological seasons carried out by a Belgian team at the coastal site of ed-Dur in the Emirate of Umm-al-Qaiwain. Since most fragments lack a secure archaeological context, the figurines will be studied mainly in comparison with similar data occurring at other contemporary sites throughout the Gulf and Mesopotamia. We shall see that the ed-Dur figurines appear mostly to be isolated cases coming from abroad instead of objects playing a prominent part in local religious or ritual beliefs.     

The terracotta figurines from ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.): The animal representations

Ten fragments of animal figurines from ed-Dur, the largest site of the 1^st century A.D. in southeastern Arabia, are published and compared with material from other sites in the Near East. The figurines are discussed in light of broader issues relating to the representation of birds and animals in pre-Islamic Arabia.     

Trilobate arrowheads at ed-Dur (U.A.E, Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain)

This article discusses the trilobate arrowheads excavated at ed-Dur during the different campaigns. Special emphasis is placed on the trilobate or three-lobed type of arrowhead because these appear rather suddenly and are not widespread in southeastern Arabia. The broader cultural, geographical and historical framework of these arrowheads is sketched in order to place the ed-Dur material in context.     

Excavations at ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.) - preliminary report on the fifth Belgian season (1991)

The results of six weeks'research in 1991 by a Belgian team from Gent University, at ed-Dur, in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain, are presented. Several new areas were opened which provide additional information on burial practices. Some structures built of mudbricks were excavated and a variety of small finds add further to the already elaborate corpus.     

Excavations at ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.) — Preliminary report on the sixth Belgian season (1992)

The results of six weeks'research in 1992 by a Belgian team from Gent University at ed-Dur in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain are presented. The excavations concentrated on the areas BQ and BR, where a total of almost 2700 m² were excavated. Both areas contained mostly graves, all plundered, however, except for some plain earth-burials. These large exposures provided a vast amount of various objects and pottery and gave further information on burial practices of the 1st cent. A.D. in southeastern Arabia.     

Excavations at ed-Dur (Umm al-Qaiwain, U.A.E.) – preliminary report on the fourth Belgian season (1990)

The results of six weeks'research in 1990 by a Belgian team from Gent University at ed-Dur, in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain, are presented. Research concentrated on the central part of the site, where the excavation of a large, undisturbed, semi-subterranean tomb with a barrel-vault and enclosure (area AV) was continued. The tomb contained a variety of glass and bronze vessels, bone plaques, iron weapons and numerous small finds. Work was also done in the southern part of the site, where several new areas were opened. A nicely built, circular, stone-lined well was found along with graves and other structures.     

The softstone vessels from Qarn Bint Sa'ud, Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.)

This paper draws attention to thirty unpublished Iron Age softstone vessels from Qarn Bint Sa'ud held in the Al Ain Museum. They are compared with softstone vessels from other Iron Age sites in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Oman and Mesopotamia, in order to study distribution patterns and exchange.     

Wadi Suq and Iron Age period ceramics from Sharm, Fujairah (U.A.E.)

The Wadi Suq period and Iron Age ceramics from Sharm are examined in terms of morphological, compositional and decorative features. The assemblage is typical of the second- and first-millennium BC ceramics of southeastern Arabia. The more unusual Iron Age 'imitation soft stone' ceramics are amply represented and the Sharm assemblage considerably expands upon this corpus of ceramics which has hitherto been less than abundant in the region. Comparisons with other second- and first-millennium sites suggest the tombs were largely occupied in the late Wadi Suq period, a pattern of occupation which again peaked in the Iron Age II period.     

Occupation humaine et environnement au 5e et au 4e millénaire sur la côte Sharjah-Umm al-Qaiwain (U.A.E.)

Three contributions in this issue are concerned with sites along the west coast of the United Arab Emirates which pre-date the Bronze Age. In this paper we shall attempt to view these sites in the broader geographical context of the southern Gulf coast; and thereafter to consider (1) the lithic material attested in the Arabian peninsula and dated to between the late 6th and early 4th millennium B.C.; (2) the painted pottery comparable to Mesopotamian Ubaid wares; and (3) a dozen CI4 dates (1) run on shell which all range around 6000-4500 BR The material utilized here comes from a series of expeditions conducted by the French Missions to Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain between 1985 and 1990 (2). The objectives of our geomorphological and archaeological inquiries were to observe, within a restricted area, the remains and evolution of human occupation in a changing environment.     

Les pointes de flèches en fer des sites préislamiques de Mleiha et ed-Dur, E.A.U.

Recent excavations at Mleiha in the Emirate of Shajah and ed-Dur in the Emirate of Umm al-Qaiwain (U.A.E.) have yielded a sizable body of iron arrowheads dating from the last centuries BC and the first centuries AD. The present article is a typological and chronological analysis of this material.     

Comments on the lithic material from an 'Ubaid site in the Emirate of Ajman (U.A.E.)

This short note concerns a selection made by E. Haerinck of a few pieces among the lithic artefacts found on the surface of the site reported on in the preceding article (p. 84).