Prehistoric Shimal (Shamal) |
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Shimal, which name means ‘north-west wind blowing in wintertime’, is a village about 5 km north of the centre of Ras Al Khaimah. Shimal is famous for the archaeological treasures discovered within its borders, which prove that this district was continuously occupied for at least five millenniums. The area was ideal for settlement. It had an easy access to ground water, additionally supported by the floodwaters from the nearby mountains. It had a fertile land where food was cultivated. Its location was also favourable; protected by the mountains on one side and with an access to the sea and to trading routes on the other.
Umm an-Nar tombs (2600-2000BC), Wadi Suq tombs (2000-1600BC), a second millennium BC settlement, findings from the Sassanian period (300-632AD) and the Abbasid era (750-1250AD) indicate that Shimal never really witnessed a cultural decline and continued to develop while adjusting to new circumstances. Julfar, the predecessor of Ras Al Khaimah, also had its beginnings in the area. Additionally, Shimal is the site of the only medieval palace in the UAE. Throughout the centuries, people continued to live in the palm gardens of Shimal. Stone houses from a few centuries ago are additional examples for the occupation of this area.
UMM AN NAR TOMBS
LOCATION: Shimal district. Drive north along Oman Rd towards Rams. You will pass the crossroad with Al Mamourah St and after 1.5km you will arrive at the last traffic lights on that road. Drive straight on and after around 3.8km enter the 4th road on the right called Archaeology Rd (recently a brown sign saying Shamalwas place there). There is a distinguished pink wedding hall just opposite. This road is one of the entry points to the Shimal area. If you continue on Archaeology Rd for approximately 1km, you will see a 19th century watch tower on your left. Nearby, the largest Umm an-Nar tomb (Tomb No.2) is located. It is fenced in and immediately visible on the right side as the road bends. Another 300m further down the road, this time on the left side, there is another tomb (Tomb No.1) of this era. GPS: Tomb No.1: N25o49’ 49.53” E56o01’39.65” Tomb No.2: N25o49’ 54.69” E56o01’32.90” PERIOD: 2600-2000BC
The period of the early Bronze Age is known in this region as the Umm an-Nar period (2600-2000BC). The name was taken from the island in Abu Dhabi, named Umm an-Nar, as several distinctive circular tombs were first discovered in that area in 1959. In the following years more tombs of this type were uncovered around the UAE and Oman, indicating the existence of a cohesive culture, with only some regional variations apparent. The testimonies of this culture such as tombs, grave goods and domestic pottery show a high degree of uniformity.
Two of the largest tombs of the Umm an-Nar period were excavated in Shimal; they were accidentally discovered during road construction works. All that remains of the tombs are the foundation layers, but with a bit of imagination you can picture what the tombs must have looked like originally. These tombs were large circular constructions, 11.5m and 14.5m in diameter, and initially would have been 2-3m high, with a flat roof. The tombs had smooth outer walls, formed by square ashlar stones carved to neatly fit together. In each tomb, there were inner walls of rough stones, which divided the tomb into rectangular chambers. The construction and design of these tombs was well planned and it must have been an amazing effort to build such fine burial places. It indicates how developed this culture must have been.
The Umm an-Nar tombs were communal tombs and most likely individuals within a single tomb were related. The tombs were reused over a period of time as the remains of a large number of bodies (more than 100 in Tomb No.1 and more than 400 in Tomb No.2) were found inside. These tombs gave an insight into the complicated burial practices of that time. First, the dead were placed inside the inner chambers, but when the chambers were full, bodies were cremated outside and then buried in the upper layers of the tomb. The people buried their dead with items used during their lifetime.
Umm An Nar Tomb Reconstruction by the RAK Department of Antiquities and Museums
Amongst the grave goods uncovered in the tombs were: pottery and stone vessels, copper needles, a spearhead and jewellery. Jewellery included some silver and golden, but mostly bronze rings, and etched carnelian beads. These artefacts were mainly produced locally; although there are also finds of pottery from Baluchistan (province in present day Pakistan) and Dilmun (nowadays Bahrain). The carnelian beads discovered on the site came from Harappa of the Indus Valley (present day Pakistan). All these finds indicate that Shimal was a prosperous place and part of a larger trade network. The wealth of Shimal and that of the other settlements in the Peninsula came mostly from revenues obtained from copper trading. The whole Bronze Age witness large scale copper exploitation, which was obtained from the surrounding Hajar Mountains. This region also was a major producer of stone vessels, which were exported to neighbouring lands.
WADI SUQ TOMBS
LOCATION: Shimal district. To get to the Wadi Suq tombs drive to the Umm an-Nar tombs (directions above) and then continue towards the town of Shamal. From the second Umm an-Nar tomb measure 300m and turn left onto a dirt track. Head towards a small conical mountain that stands separated from the rest of the mountain range. After around 100m cross the opened fence and you should immediately see the Wadi Suq tomb (No. 99) on your right. Another 100m further, just at the foot of this lone standing mountain you can see an ancient settlement of Shamal. More Wadi Suq tombs can be found along the mountains, on both sides of this hill. GPS: Tomb No. 95:N25o49’ 38.39” E56o01’ 55.85” Tomb No. 99:N25o49’ 37.47” E56o01’ 51.65” Tomb No. 102: N25o49’ 34.14” E56o02’ 04.70” PERIOD: 2000-1600BC NOTE: you do not need a 4WD to get to tomb No.99, the track is solid. To see the other tombs you have to walk as they are not easily accessible by car.
The Wadi Suq Period dates from 2000-1600BC and belongs to the Bronze Age. In this time frame a new culture, with distinctive differences from the Umm an-Nar Period, evolved. Changes in settlement patterns, pottery and weapon styles are evident. However, the most visible indication of the transformation are the tombs of different styles, which are present throughout the UAE and Oman. The tombs have changed in shape from round to mostly oval constructions. Within Ras Al Khaimah’s borders, these tombs were excavated in large numbers in the Shimal area, as well as in neighbouring Dhayah, Ghalilah, Khatt, and in the southern part of the Emirate.
Shamal, with more than 150 tombs of that period is one of the largest prehistoric cemeteries of the region. However, the name of that era comes from the Wadi Suq in Oman (near Al Ain) where the first tombs of this type were investigated. Just like during the Umm an-Nar period, Shimal’s inhabitants shared a widespread culture through the Peninsula.
Shimal’s tombs were found in the 1970s by British archaeologists and some of them were carefully excavated in the later years. The majority of tombs were constructed as a straight, long and narrow single chamber that would have looked like an oval structure of 2-2.5m high with a small crawl entrance. The entrance was made by two vertical stones on a doorstep that supported a large lintel. When this chamber was full and more space was needed, an oval chamber with a second entrance on the same axis was added running in a ring around the outside of the original tomb. Additionally, various structural types of tombs such as horseshoe and a smaller round shape were unearthed. Common to all was the double wall of rough large boulders filled in with rock rubble on which stone slabs were set at an angle to support corbelling and flat roofing stones.
The Wadi Suq tombs were mostly communal tombs, although some were also intended for a single burial. They were usually used by generations as most of them contained the remains of large numbers of bodies. What is more, they were reused during the subsequent Iron Age and later periods. Although few metal items were found, these must have been the most attractive objects for ancient thieves, typical Wadi Suq goods such as beads, chlorite jars, painted beakers and other pottery were excavated in large quantities. They can be seen in the RAK National Museum. Both at Shimal and other places, links to other civilizations are obvious as artefacts from other cultures were also discovered. The region continued to be an important copper and soft stone vessels supplier and the finds at the tombs indicate an accumulation of wealth during this period.
When entering the main archaeological area, you will immediately face a very large oval tomb, it is tomb No. 99. The remains of at least 66 individuals were unearthed inside, together with animal bones, pottery and soft stone vessels. If you walk straight towards the mountains from tomb No. 99, you should come across many other tombs. Two of the largest, tomb No. 101 and tomb No. 102 are located near the foot of the mountains and, although not fenced, are clearly visible from the distance. The latter had the remains of at least 150 people; these were men, women and children buried over a long period of time. A variety of goods including pots, stone vessels and metal objects were placed with them inside.
One of the most interesting tombs is tomb No. 95, discovered inside the ancient settlement from the Later Bronze Age (1600-1200BC). The tomb had an unusual shape being rectangular and when excavated it had a full skeleton inside. The tomb’s roof had partially collapsed leaving the body untouched in its original position and with a pot and a stone vessel close to him. Other grave artefacts in the tomb included metal objects, a two handled bronze vessel, weapons, razors and silver rings. Interestingly, in the later centuries the tomb was used as a rubbish tip and covered with shell middens by the inhabitants of the settlement, who obviously did not realize its purpose.
LATE BRONZE AGE SETTLEMENT
LOCATION: Shimal district. To get tothe Ancient Settlement of Shimal check the directions to the Wadi Suq tombs above. GPS: N25o49’ 38.70” E56o01’ 57.09” PERIOD: 1600-1200BC NOTE: after the excavation, the area of the settlement was fenced. Nowadays, this fence is mostly gone, but its remains are easily recognized marking.
In 1985, archaeologists discovered a settlement in Shimal, situated at the foot of the lone standing mountain. During excavations at the edge of the settlement, a Wadi Suq tomb was found (the above mentioned tomb No.95). At first, it was assumed that the settlement belonged to the same era as the tomb. However, after further investigation the differences in style and design of pottery discovered in the tomb and at the settlement were noticed. This indicated a change in cultural patterns. To distinguish this time from the Wadi Suq period, the term Late Bronze Age was assigned to the period between 1600 and 1200BC.
The site of the settlement contains traces of palm frond housing called arish, which were typical to the region even up to the 1970s. There were also a few stone walls supporting terraces and a wall surrounding the area. Scattered around the site are fireplaces and pits of different sizes probably used for rubbish but also as storage places. The seashore must have been nearby as substantial findings of fish bones and mangrove snail shells meant that people’s diet consisted mainly of seafood. The discovery of animal bones (goats, sheep, camels and donkeys) indicated that people probably also herded animals. The presence of graining stones on the site shows that the inhabitants cultivated grain. Furthermore, palm trees must have grown in the area providing sweet dates.
Although this site was intensively occupied during the 2nd millennium BC, there are also clear signs that it must have been reused in the later periods, up to around the middle of the first millennium. The foundations of rectangular structures from the Iron Age were discovered on the west side of the settlement. |
NOTE: Many historical sites of Shimal are situated along the same road within a short distance from each other; therefore, the directions given here combine them all in one tour. You can also incorporate other attractions of the area into this trip. In the Maps section of this website (in the upper menu), you can find a simple sigthseeing map (Map 6) with all the attractions of the area of Shimal.
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