Among the historical sites on Sir Bani Yas Island are remains of late Stone Age, early and late Islamic structures and a Nestorian Christian site. Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara, a prominent Abu Dhabi resort located on Sir Bani Yas facilitates tours of archaeological sites on the island.
Sir Bani Yas Island 130 km west of Abu Dhabi is the place where visitors go to get in touch with UAE’s natural environment through the enjoyment of pristine beaches, diving among an amazing marine environment, view desert flora and fauna and engage in adventure sports. This is also where discoveries have been made of Stone Age, pre Islamic and early Islamic peoples that were among the inhabitants of the island.
Among the archaeological remains unearthed on the eastern side of the island are late Stone Age lithic scatters and cairns, the remains of a Nestorian monastery and church dated to the 6th or 7th centuries AD, stucco decorations including fragments of Nestorian crosses and plaster panels with vine and leaf patterns and pre Islamic remains such as pottery and remnants of courtyard houses. A late Islamic mosque, settlements, a well, pottery, a cemetery and cairns have been found on the north coast of the island,
A guided walking tour of the eastern section of the island leads to the Nestorian church site where all that remains now of the 65 sq meter monastery complex is the outline of its foundations in the sand. However a visitor notice board provides a wealth of information on the original layout of the monastery and what each room was used for by the 30 to 40 monks estimated to have lived here. Adding interest is a collection of artifacts excavated at the site. This easy paced activity is suitable for the whole family. No equipment is needed for this tour only sun protection by way of hats, sun cream and sun glasses, a stout pair of shoes for walking over the rough terrain and a camera to record the earliest Christian site in the Emirates.
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