Ras Al Khaimah .. Holders, fortresses, ancient civilization and a great cultural heritage

Ras Al -Khaimah on March 12 / WAM / Whoever visits the Emirate of Ras Al -Khaimah feels that in the “presence of history”, adjacent mountains are close -up, plateaux and plains wrapped in beauty, as if they were equally shared the monitoring of scenes and events that passed through the centuries, and green plains that were fulfilled in the shadows of their palm trees and trees, and the accounts of the ancient and modern historians who passed through their valleys and markets.

The Emirate of Ras Al -Khaimah has a civilized dimension in the foot, a historical depth of rich and the nature of singing, and the home of a prosperous human settlement since ancient times has hosted human settlements for thousands of years, and settled by a number of successive civilizations thanks to the majestic mountains, fertile valleys and open sea beaches.

His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al -Tunaiji, Director General of the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al -Khaimah stressed that archaeological evidence showed that the emirate established for itself a prominent position, and has supported agricultural societies since ancient times and was active in the field of hunting and trade since the fifth millennium BC, as one of the most important commercial centers in the region with its distinguished strategic location.

Regarding the importance of castles and forts, Al -Tunaiji said: “The circle of antiquities and museums in Ras Al Khaimah pays great attention to castles and forts, as it is part of the cultural and architectural heritage that embodies the history of the region and its civilized civilization, and represents an important part of the history and culture The great in protecting borders, the stability of the emirate and securing trade and markets, and because it is a symbol of the ruling authority, a headquarters for the ruler and a center for government and the administration of the emirate affairs.

He added: “In terms of its role, the character of the military construction and dominated by the defensive feature, such as the Castle of” Zaya “, which is the last fortress on the mountain peaks in the UAE, and the fortress that takes the shape of the castle was included in the UNESCO temporary guideline list of world heritage sites … indicating that it is a very important strategic military castle in the history of Ras Al Khaimah, and is located north of the city of Rams and built in the sixteenth century on Tel A square facing the Gulf.

The Director General of the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al -Khaimah said: “One of the most important evidence is also the Tower of Al -Hudayba, and it was part of a large residential complex destroyed a long time ago.

He stated that one of the most important archaeological areas in the emirate is the area of ​​Shamal, and the first cemetery was discovered in which the “Umm Al -Nar Cemetery” was discovered by the Danish mission in the fifties, and it is one of the largest well -known tombs in the Emirates, and its history dates back to the civilization of “Umm al -Nar” at the age of 4,500 years, and its country is about 14.5 meters.

He added: “The cemetery is adjacent to the” Al -Zabah “palace, which is the remains of the ruins of a civilization located on the top of the” Hujil “mountain northeast of the city of Ras Al -Khaimah, and its history dates back to the ancient medieval centuries, and it is considered one of the oldest archaeological buildings that still witness the history of the emirate.

He pointed out that it is considered the only old palace that was known in the UAE, and it is included among the public as the Queen Palace, and this palace is linked to the historic commercial city of Julphar, which is the name that was launched on Ras Al -Khaimah previously.

He stated that the palace consists of defensive walls and water tanks and overlooking the fertility and consisting of several rooms and water tanks that still retain its original ceilings as the remains of the past.

Al -Tunaiji said: “The“ Fortress of the Department of the Department ”is another landmark, and it is a forty fortress in the eighteenth century as a headquarters and a summer residence for the“ Al -Qawasim ”family, where the palm groves and the residences of vacationers from the city of Ras Al Khaimah and other Emirates are mediated.

He emphasized that the red island site was a small island whose residents live on hunting and pearl trade before they abandoned it in the mid -twentieth century, where they moved to modern life, and it is the last historical village for pearl hunting in the Gulf, and it is still standing until now, and whoever visits it watchs a picture that reflects the reality of life before oil alive to this day .. Noting that the island reflects the aspects of heritage life, such as simple houses, fortresses, small market, mosques and large homes that were The rich are owned by pearl merchants.

His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al -Tunaiji, Director General of the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al -Khaimah said: “The antiquities, forts, castles and buildings are spread everywhere in the emirate, as they are no longer just witness sites in the past, and an ancient history intended by researchers and those interested only for the scientific study, but many of them have turned into tourist attraction sites.”

He stressed that these archaeological and historical sites receive attention and support from His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, who always calls for the necessity of concerted efforts between government agencies, headed by the Antiquities and Museums Authority to continue the distinguished efforts to develop the archaeological and heritage features that the emirate abounds in.

He added: “The department was keen to document and preserve these castles and forts, and financial allocations are determined annually for restoration and maintenance and preserving the inscriptions in them, and benefiting from them as tourist confrontations, and ensuring that they remain and sustain for future generations, stressing that they were placed on the map of the tourist emirate, and the department and the government of Ras Al Khaimah provide tourist guidance services with the latest visual technologies And hearing. ”

He pointed to the exploitation of these sites to hold art galleries, local celebrations, training workshops and traditional crafts, which contributes to spreading local heritage and culture.

He stressed that these sites, forts and castles scattered throughout the emirate give a historical momentum striking, and are the most prominent ancient landmarks that attract visitors and tourists, enhance awareness of heritage and also contribute to the development of cultural tourism.

With regard to the efforts made to preserve these landmarks, His Excellency Ahmed Obaid Al Tunaiji, Director General of the Department of Antiquities and Museums in Ras Al Khaimah said: “The department has worked during the past years to preserve the historical heritage of And the fortress of text and humiliation.

He pointed out that the documentation work has been completed in Al -Uraibi Castle, and the restoration work of the castle will be started during this year.

It is worth noting that UNESCO included four archaeological sites in Ras Al Khaimah on the preliminary list of World Heritage sites, affiliated with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization “UNESCO”, which are “Jalfar Commercial City, the Pearl Trade City on the Red Peninsula, included, and the cultural scene of the Zaya region.”

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