If you were asked to go back to the Stone Age as a hominid, would you be able to survive? Ancient ancestors created tools, built houses, domesticated animals, invented writing, developed trade, and started from nothing. Step inside the Sharjah Archaeological Museum and experience how humans have used wisdom since ancient times.
Excavate human history and trace the origin of ancient civilizations
Numerous archaeological excavations and expedition reports indicate that humans have settled in Sharjah for more than 125,000 years, and the land has a rich and deep-rooted history. All archaeological artifacts and materials excavated in Sharjah from 1973 to the present day are permanently preserved in the Archaeological Museum, including important discoveries such as Stone Age burial sites, the bones of 500 nomads, and the earliest writing form in the region more than 2,500 years ago.
The museum chronicles the environmental changes and civilizational development that Sharjah experienced from the Stone Age to the Islamic Era. Models of houses and tombs, as well as Arabic art, help visitors understand the lifestyle and customs of the ancient Arab inhabitants. Collections of coins, jewelry, pottery and ancient weapons reflect the expansion of Sharjah's trade with its Arabian Peninsula neighbors, from the Indus Valley in the east to the Mediterranean islands in the west.
▲ This ivory comb (2200-2000 BC) was placed in an alabaster bowl and was found at the Tell Abraq tomb site and is now on display in the Bronze Age Hall. Although it is possible that the ivory was taken from Indian elephants, the unique tulip carving on the comb suggests that it was made in Central Asia.
▲The ceramic dome (900-600 BC) displayed in the Iron Age Hall was excavated at the Muweilah site and dates back to the Iron Age. Archaeologists have speculated that it may have been the lid of an incense burner, consisting of a ceramic dome with a vault and a bull sculpture, providing evidence of trade in Yemen BC.
▲The golden reins (150 BC – 200 AD) on display in the Greater Arabian Region Hall were excavated from the Mleiha site and buried with the remains of a horse and a camel, dating back 2,000 years, reflecting the luxurious lifestyle of the wealthy in the red sands of Mleiha at that time.
Little archaeologist, dreams are slowly sprouting
The Archaeological Museum's Little Archaeologist Hall, considered the UAE's first interactive archaeological gallery, explains in simple terms the most important archaeological discoveries in the Arab region in terms of human life through a series of models and videos, as well as scientific activities such as building houses, shadow imaging, and puzzles to identify animals, such as: How did people in the Stone Age use natural resources to make weapons, hunting tools, currency, and more? How did the ancient Sharjahs domesticate wild animals? Why can a mud brick house be warm in winter and cool in summer? The evolution of barter to modern money, the origins of ancient Sharjah art developed from rock paintings, etc.
▲ The ceramic camel sculpture (900-600 BC), also displayed in the Iron Age exhibition hall, was also found at the Muweilah site
It is clear that humans were able to domesticate camels as early as 1000 BC and use them for transport and riding. The incense trade between Yemen and the northern and eastern Arabian Peninsula also developed like never before through the formation of camel caravans that transported goods over long distances.
本文图源：Sharjah Museums Authority
Located in the heart of Sharjah, the Archaeological Museum forms a small historical and cultural circle with the adjacent Sharjah Science Museum, Quran Monument Square, Cultural Palace and Sharjah Public Library. And this Saturday is the "5.18 International Museum Day", and most of the more than 20 museums in Sharjah on that day are allowed to visit for free~
▲Sharjah Science and Technology Museum
▲ Quran Monument Square