Archaeologists in Ras Al Khaimah (United Arab Emirates) have discovered 50 to 60 tombs dating back to the Wadi Soq era which flourished between 2,000 and 1,300 BCE during the Bronze Age.
      Christian Velde, resident archaeologist, Ras Al Khaimah National Museum, said the discoveries have shed light on the people who lived in this area 4,000 years ago. The German archaeologist said: "With every tomb we discover, we learn more about Ras Al Khaimah. We have to protect these sites." Ahmed Hilal, another resident archaeologist, said the tombs were discovered in Qarn Al Harf, and 155 sites will be excavated. "However, we have just retrieved one of the tombs and will dig out the others," he said.
      Initial studies of the tomb show that it is made of big stone blocks and is rectangular in shape with designs and paintings. Pottery found in the tomb is made of soft stone, proving it belongs to the early Bronze age. The pottery, however, has been made with a very different technique, alien to the era.
      Metal arrowheads made of bronze and copper, beads and a lot of fragmented bones have also been discovered in the tomb. The presence of skeletons suggests the tombs were used for mass burials. Hilal added there were attempts by people to dig the tombs thinking they would find precious items. The archaeologist stressed that it was too early to commit on whether these tombs will give information that will give a new twist to history.

Source: Gulf News (16 October 2001)