SMA to unveil treasures of Gulf heritage at 7th Joint Exhibition

Set within the halls of Sharjah Archaeology Museum, the exhibition is designed to bolster the ties between the UAE, with a spotlight on Sharjah, and its fellow GCC nations, while simultaneously casting light upon the shared historical threads that have woven these countries together since time immemorial.

Commenting on the event, Aisha Deemas, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) said: “This exhibition is a celebration of our shared history and heritage and of the deep-rooted connections that have tied our nations together since ancient times.”

“Each object in this exhibition tells a story of our ancestors' lives and journeys across the Arabian Peninsula, reflecting a diverse tapestry of cultural interactions, migrations, and advancements,” she added.

She pointed out that SMA aims through this exhibition to foster a sense of pride and unity among the people of the UAE and the Gulf region.

The exhibition showcases an array of distinctive artifacts that span hunting instruments, weaponry, ceramic and stone implements, ornamental pieces, seals, personal adornments, and tools of agriculture which collectively recount the saga of human existence across Gulf Cooperation Council countries from the earliest days to contemporary times.

A collection of culturally significant artifacts from six countries, namely the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman, the State of Qatar, and the State of Kuwait mark their first public display in this exhibition.

The collection chronicles the human habitation of the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region tracing back to the early stone age period and illuminates a past shaped by diverse migrations and a way of life centered around pastoralism and foraging.

Displayed archaeological finds demonstrate that the region's inhabitants engaged in agriculture, pottery, mining, and other activities that facilitated their transition to settled life during the Bronze Age. With the domestication of camels in the Iron Age, the development of trade routes both within and beyond the Arabian Peninsula began to flourish. This set the stage for the advent of Islam, which transformed the region into a pivotal hub for the faith's dissemination. Concurrently, multiple centers of cultural, commercial, and scholarly importance arose, forging strong connections with other civilizations within the Islamic world.

The exhibition features a prominent array of artifacts from the United Arab Emirates, showcasing contributions from Sharjah Archeology Museum and other heritage authorities across the emirates, including Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, and Fujairah that encapsulate the breadth of historical periods traversed by the UAE, from the early stone age to contemporary times.

Aimed at drawing the attention of scholars, archaeologists, historians within the UAE and across the Arab Gulf countries, the exhibition also reaches out to university students and enthusiasts from various societal groups, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation for the region's rich archaeological and historical tapestry.