UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES
Chosen for their cultural and natural significance, these UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the UAE capital reveal the most riveting details of the region's past
AL AIN OASIS
Nestled in the heart of Abu Dhabi’s Garden City, Al Ain Oasis has borne witness to centuries of history. This 1,200-hectare expanse is a sight to behold. It is home to over 147,000 date palms of up to 100 varieties and fruit trees, all fed by a 3,000-year-old irrigation channel, traditionally known as the falaj system. 00971 3 7118251
JEBEL HAFIT TOMBS
This 5,000-year-old burial site is situated at the base of the Jebel Hafit mountain. Archaeological finds show that over a 500-year period between 3200 and 2700 BCE, the region's early inhabitants paid their respects to the dead by constructing intricate beehiveshaped stone tombs – using roughly cut stones – that housed the remains of two to five people. 00971 3 7118362
BIDAA BINT SAUD
Situated 25 kilometres from the centre of Al Ain, excavations conducted at Bidaa Bint Saud revealed that local communities flourished in the area since 3000 BCE. Artefacts found at this site include pottery items, stone vessels, daggers, blades, arrowheads and beads, in addition to irrigation systems and tombs dating back to the Bronze Age as well as a rare building from the Iron Age.
HILI ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE
This UNESCO landmark is home to a series of tombs, houses, strongholds and irrigation systems from the Bronze and Iron Ages. Dating back to 3000 BCE, these finds indicate that the town was the earliest agricultural village in the region. A must-see is the 4,000-year-old Grand Tomb, which was masterfully restored in the 1970s. 00971 2 6664442
Hili Archaeological Site is home to a series of tombs, houses, strongholds and irrigation systems from the Bronze and Iron Ages, dating back to 3000 BCE.