Wadi Haqil - Julfar Pottery |
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Wadi Haqil is a wide open wadi east from the historical town of Julfar. It is situated less then 10km from the centre of Ras Al Khaimah, and it is a very pleasant and picturesque area, thus it is a perfect place for a picnic or short weekend trip. It is usually visited by hikers, nature lovers and people interested in history. If you go deeper into the wadi, seasonal waterfalls can be seen after the rains. You can spot here many birds and with some luck a lizard or a snake. Along the whole wadi and up in the mountains you will find many abandoned villages with small houses made from stone. However, Wadi Haqil is mostly known for pottery production that took place already in the 15th century and continued until the 1970s.
Pottery coming from this district furnished the whole Gulf region, making it one of the main export products of Julfar. Although the town itself disappeared over the time, famous Julfar ware continued to be manufactured. Only the advent of modernization in the second half of the 20th century brought an end to this industry in Wadi Haqil and the pottery kilns were abandoned. Nowadays, these deserted potteries and potters’ villages are visible along the wadi. The pottery was produced by traditional means and the style of Julfar pottery does not appear to have changed too much over time, which actually makes it more difficult to determine when a particular item was made. The kilns have now deteriorated but it is still clear how they were used.
The pottery factory was called al mabraqa (the furnace), and consisted of a large hole with the inside walls lined with stone and mud. After shaping clay, pots were fired in the furnaces, which took around one day. The area must have had a sufficient supply of wood to fire the furnaces and acacia trees, which still grow in Wadi Haqil, were used for that purpose. The produced pottery was of a distinctive type; unglazed, reddish and painted with striped red decorations, which came to be known as Julfar ware. Pots were made for different purposes, to store food, to carry water, for cooking, for making coffee and for burning incense. Examples of pottery from the Wadi Haqil are on display at the RAK National Museum.
Next to the pottery kilns, typical wadi settlements were established and can still be visited today. You will see numerous wadi stone houses, storages and mosques. Because the wadi was constantly inhabited throughout history, these buildings are of different types and from various periods. The oldest sites surveyed by archaeologists were occupied between the Early Islamic period and the 14th century AD.
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LOCATION: east of Shimal. From the Sheeba's Palace continue to drive along the mountains, having the palace and the mountains on your left side. After about 400m, just as a fenced area is finished, turn left (it is an off road) and head towards stone houses by the mountains. Here you will find old pottery kilns and several small red mounds. Nearby there are number of abandoned stone houses. To see more, go back to the main road and continue to drive towards East, having the mountains on your left. After about 2.2km, you should notice an off road on your left side, just before the modern settlement. Turn into this dirt track, which goes parallel to the village and drive for about 1km until you see a group of stone houses on your left, just at the foot of the mountains. In this area you can find several pottery kilns. Your attention should be drawn by small mounds with distinctive red soil. More abandoned houses and pottery factories are located on both sides of the wadi. GPS: Examples of the kilns: N25o49’ 14.00” E56o02’ 51.00” PERIOD:15th – 20th Century
NOTE: 4WD is not necessary to see the kilns if you are willing to walk a bit; but it is crucial to drive one to further explore the wadi.
SCENTISTS DISCOVER ANCIENT RAK CAVES In the beginning of 2011, scientists discovered old caves in Ras Al Khaimah in Wadi Haqil. The discovery consists of a cave network of thousands of channels covered in crystal walls carved by water millions of years ago. These caves will probably be preserved as a touristic attraction.
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