The UAE is a relatively young country, but people have been living in parts of the country for thousands of years. And if you’re interested in history, then new guided tours in Al Ain are for you.
History buffs will know that traces of civilisations, their culture and people’s ability to live off the land date back thousands of years.
Now, offering unrivalled insight into the ancient past of the country, one of the leading destinations is offering a glimpse into the past. History can be found in the garden city of Al Ain, with hikes starting at Dhs55.
Jebel Hafit Desert Park, lying at the foot of the mountain, is home to a treasure trove of amazing attractions dating far back into history. The UNESCO World Heritage Site, the first in the UAE, is home to Bronze Age tombs.
The tombs, which date to the early Bronze Age, are in an area which attracted wild animals such as the Arabian oryx and gazelle.
Providing safety, shelter and a water and food source, Jebel Hafit was a very valuble site.
The tombs that can be found in the park are thought to date back to around 3,000BCE.
At the time, Jebel Hafit was a hub of human activity and more than 100 tombs found across the area are evidence of ancient civilisation.
The beehive shaped tombs, are all above ground and made from stones cut into shape, a few of which have been restored at the park. Still, many more are yet to be discovered and will contain more information about the area.
Evidence of the tombs and settlements were first discovered by archaeologists in the 1960s, under the directive of Sheikh Zayed. Offering you the chance to see the tombs and learn more about the ancient culture of the UAE, Jebel Hafit Desert Park takes visitors keen for a history fix on a tour of the sites dotted throughout the area.
You can hike, or take a buggy ride, to each plot to see the tombs up close and learn about the civilisations that built them and what life was like in the UAE in the distant past.
A selection of rebuilt tombs and ruins are waiting to be discovered at the site when you visit. In the coming years even more sites will be uncovered giving us greater understanding of the history of the UAE.
Ready to go see them for yourself? Pack your hiking boots, it’s time to go.
Dhs10 (park entry), Dhs55 (guided hike), Dhs120 (buggy or guided escort). Daily 8am-6pm. jebelhafitdesertpark.ae
