Reconsidering the ‘Ubaid of the southern Gulf:  New results from excavations on Dalma island, U.A.E.

Mark Beech
(Department of Archaeology, The King's Manor, University of York, York YO1 2EP, U.K. - E-mail: mjb117@york.ac.uk)

Joseph Elders
(Archaeology Officer, Council for the Care of Churches of England - E-mail:  joseph.elders@ccc.c-of-e.org.uk)

Elizabeth Shepherd
(Norfolk Archaeological Unit, Garsett House, St. Andrews Hall Plain, Norwich NR3 1AU, U.K. - E-mail: liz.shepherd.mus@norfolk.gov.uk)

Abstract:

Recent excavations carried out by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS) on Dalma island have shed new light upon life in the southern Gulf during the late 6th-early 5th millennium BC.  Evidence for longer term settlement in the form of several phases of building structures have been identified, as well as activity areas representing food preparation, cooking and manufacturing zones. The rich finds assemblage from the site include imported ‘Ubaid pottery and uniquely what appear to be locally produced gypsum plaster vessels.  Other finds recovered from the excavation include considerable quantities of bone and marine mollusca, as well as flints, perforated disks and beads. Analysis of the vertebrate fauna  has identified domestic sheep/goat, gazelle, dolphin, dugong and turtle as well as large quantities of fish bone, including shark, needlefish, grouper, sea bream, emperor, jack and tuna. Turban shells, pearl oysters and clams were among the most common molluscs eaten at the site. Traces of burnt mud-brick with datestone impressions as well as actual carbonised datestones provide exciting new evidence for the early exploitation of dates. 

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