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Excavation continues in Al Ghubb

RAS Al KHAIMAH — A team of archaeologists has begun excavation work at a site here that is widely believed to be the birthplace of the famous Arab navigator Ahmed bin Majid Al Najdi.

The team from the Ras Al Khaimah Department of Antiquities and Museums has begun work on a shallow mound located in Al Ghubb area, which has visible remains of two mud-brick towers on opposite sides.

"We believe the towers were part of a fortification to protect the palm gardens in the area," Christian Velde, Resident Archaeologist, told Khaleej Times.

“The area was densely populated and rich with palm trees gardens. The team wants to establish the sequence of occupation and examine the possibility of unearthing the strata which would match the times of Ahmed bin Majid," he said.

"So far, we have found several layers with remains of mud-brick houses and palm leaf huts that date back to last three centuries. These houses were built after the fortification was no longer in use," he said.

The archaeologists are now trying to establish the outline of the fort.

Ahmed Hilal, another member of the team, believes that the remains were very important because they reflect the way of life in the past.

"We can visualise lush green palm gardens in a very fertile area, where many people from other parts of the country like Sharjah and Dubai came to spend their summers. They used to build their houses and palm leaf huts on this mound. Many of the palm gardens in the area have gone dry in the absence of any ground water," he said.