Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas)

Overview

The Cultural Sites of Al Ain (Hafit, Hili, Bidaa Bint Saud and Oases Areas) constitute a serial property that testifies to sedentary human occupation of a desert region since the Neolithic period with vestiges of many prehistoric cultures. Remarkable vestiges in the property include circular stone tombs (ca 2500 B.C.), wells and a wide range of adobe constructions: residential buildings, towers, palaces and administrative buildings. Hili moreover features one of the oldest examples of the sophisticated aflaj irrigation system which dates back to the Iron Age. The property provides important testimony to the transition of cultures in the region from hunting and gathering to sedentarization.

Selection Criteria

(iii)(iv)(v)

Components(17 locations)

• •Hili 2 (2.2)1343-008
• •Hili Oasis (4.2)1343-012
• •Al Ain Oasis (4.1)1343-004
• •Rumailah Site (2.5)1343-011
• •Al Jimi Oasis (4.3)1343-014
• •Al Naqfa Ridge (1.5)1343-003
• •Mutaredh Oasis (4.5)1343-016
• •Bidaa Bint Saud (3.1)1343-013
• •Al Qattara Oasis (4.4)1343-015
• •Al Muwaiji Oasis (4.6)1343-017
• •Hili North Tomb A (2.3)1343-009
• •Hili North Tomb B (2.4)1343-010
• •West Ridge Hafit Tombs (1.4)1343-006
• •Jebel Hafit Desert Park (1.1)1343-001
• •Jebel Hafit North Tombs (1.2)1343-002
• •Hili Archaeological Park (2.1)1343-007
• •Al Ain Wildlife Park Tombs (1.3)1343-005

Details

Countries

United Arab Emirates

ISO Codes

AE

Area

4,945.45 ha

Coordinates

24.0678, 55.8064