Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) expert discusses life in Abu Dhabi millions of years ago 

Date: 03/03/2007

A series of lectures on the cultural heritage of the UAE are being given at Zayed University in Abu Dhabi this week by an expert from the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH).
 
Dr Mark Beech, Head of the Division of Cultural Landscapes at ADACH is presenting a total of three lectures on the paleontology, prehistory and historical development of the U.A.E.

This lecture program forms part of the fulfillment of a memorandum of understanding signed between Zayed University and ADACH in July 2006. The memorandum lays the groundwork for the development of joint programs that will train Emiratis in heritage management, museum management, exhibition and display, conservation and preservation. The MoU was signed by Dr. Sulaiman al Jassem, Vice President of Zayed University, and Muhammad Khalaf Al Mazrouie, the Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH). Both stressed the significance of the preservation and appreciation of the UAE's heritage, and the need to build capacity within the country to develop and sustain heritage through deeper knowledge, management and promotion.

Al Mazrouie said: "With the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Heritage Management Strategy, the authority has cooperated and coordinated with various government departments, universities and institutes, particularly Zayed University, which has a great role in the cultural development process of the UAE."

The MoU covers increasing student and faculty involvement in ADACH's cultural activities, the placement of students in internship positions at the authority and cooperation and collaboration for curricula development in subjects related to UAE culture.

The lecture programme presented by Dr Mark Beech provides the students at Zayed University with an introduction to the rich cultural heritage of the UAE. 

Dr Beech discussed in his lecture the history of previous work carried out on fossils in Abu Dhabi, as well as highlighting the current work being carried out by ADACH. He outlined Abu Dhabi 6-8 million years ago - the story behind the discovery of vertebrate fossils in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi emirate adding that  whilst much of Abu Dhabi is desert at the present day, it was a different matter during the Late Miocene period, some 6 to 8 million years ago. 

Higher rainfall at that time meant that Abu Dhabi was much greener. The landscape was more like modern day East Africa. Large rivers criss-crossed the Western Region, flowing northwards into a shallow basin that is now filled by Arabian Gulf waters.

Extraordinary animals living in Abu Dhabi at that time included a large four-tusked elephant known as Stegotetrabelodon syrticus, which stood over 4 metres in height. Other mammals present included carnivores such as sabre-toothed cats and hyenas. Ungulates such as giraffes and various types of bovid and gazelle roamed the savanna-like grasslands between the ancient river courses. Hippos, crocodiles, turtles and catfish occupied the flowing waters of the rivers.

 Discussions are currently underway between ADACH and Yale University, USA, to undertake a five year long joint investigation of Late Miocene fossil sites in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi.