- A Brief History of the Hili Archaeological Park
Hili Archaeological Park is one of the most important historical sites in the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest Bronze Age site in the country and contains evidence of early agricultural settlements dating back to 3000 BC. The park was developed to highlight the ancient monuments of Al Ain and to make them easily accessible to tourists and archaeologists.
The Hili Archaeological Site not only provides the earliest known evidence of an agricultural village in the United Arab Emirates, but also contains other important remains such as settlements, tombs, and a falaj dating from the 3rd millennium BCE. The park is particularly loved by tourists and archaeologists for housing the largest Bronze Age site in the country. The park is a great place to learn about the history of the UAE and to see for yourself the evidence of its rich cultural heritage.
The park was established in 1969-70 by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan to give visitors access to the excavated sites. The park features many remains from 2000 to 3000 BC, including settlements, tombs, and a falaj dating from the Bronze Age. The Hili Archaeological Site not only provides the earliest known evidence of an agricultural village in the UAE, but also contains other important historical artifacts. The park is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the UAE.
- The Hili Archaeological Park is home to the world's oldest known artificial irrigation system.
- The park covers an area of 1,500 hectares.
- It was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2013.
- The park contains the remains of a Bronze Age settlement.
- It is thought to have been inhabited for over 4,000 years.
- The site includes a burial ground, houses, and temples.
- The park is open to the public and offers guided tours.
- There is a small museum on site.
- How to Spend a Day at Hili Archaeological Park
The development of the Hili Archaeological Park aims to showcase the ancient sites of Al Ain and make them easily accessible to tourists. Most of the monuments belong to the Umm al-Nar period between 2500 and 2000 BC. It is named after the island near Abu Dhabi where remains of this important culture were first discovered.
BRONZE AGE
One of the most impressive buildings constructed during this period is the Great Tomb. Over 4,000 years old, the structure is 12 meters in diameter and originally intended to be at least four meters high, complete with a roof. When the building was rebuilt in the mid-1970s, it did not have a roof.
Next to the tomb are the ruins of Hili 1, once an adobe tower several meters high. When Danish archaeologists excavated the tower in the 1960s at the request of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, it was discovered to have thick, rounded walls. It turns out, with several rooms and a fountain in the middle. Today, only the foundations of this building remain.
A similar building, Hili 10, is nearby, with a central fountain. The 10-metre-wide fabric wall tells us that it was once a fortress that controlled the trade routes of the areaIts most important piece is the Great Tomb of Hili, dating from 2000 BC. The tomb, which was built in the form of a circle with a diameter of 12 meters and a height of about 4 meters, was used for the burial of people from surrounding settlements. The tomb has two entrances, decorated with beautifully carved human and animal figures. Several other similar burials have been found in the Hili district. In the future, an archaeological trail will allow visitors to visit the ruins and learn more about the culture of Umm An Nar.
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Hili Archaeological Park entrance Fee
You do not have to pay any entrance fee to visit Hili Archaeological Park. It is free to visit.
- Hili Archaeological Park Address: Near Al Ain National Museum Near Dubai Highway - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
- Hili Archaeological Park Contact Number: +971-26664442
- Hili Archaeological Park Timing: 04:30 pm - 09:30 pm
That’s all for now! I hope you enjoyed this tour of Hili Archaeological Park. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. And be sure to check out our website for more information about the park and our upcoming events.