Saruq Al Hadid
the United Arab Emirates

Saruq Al Hadid

Desert metallurgy and trade hub.

Location

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Historical Context

About

Saruq Al Hadid is a significant archaeological site located in the desert of Dubai, United Arab Emirates. It served as a prominent center for trade, metallurgy, and possibly religious activities from the Umm Al Nar period to the Iron Age. The site is renowned for its extensive slag fields, indicating copper and iron smelting activities. Among the 12,000 unique artifacts unearthed, a gold ring inspired the logo of Dubai's Expo 2020. The presence of bronze snakes and pottery with snake motifs suggests a possible snake cult. The site demonstrates rich trade connections with Mesopotamia, the Levant, and the Indus Valley through various imported items. This ancient hub of production and trade resonates with Dubai's modern role as a global trading center.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Visual Archive

Gallery

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FileBlow_hole_from_furnace_at_Saruq_Al_Hadid.jpg
FileCarnelian_jewellery_from_Saruq_Al_Hadid.jpg
FileCopper_slag_from_Suruq_Al_Hadid.jpg
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Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Umm Al Nar Period Settlement

2600 BCE

Iron Age Metallurgical Center

1100 BCE

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Miscellaneous Features

Caches
category

Industrial and Craft Structures

Furnaces
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

Altars
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Bone Middens
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Reference

Details

Country

the United Arab Emirates

Coordinates

24.67° N, 55.24° E