The satellite, designed and built by Iranian Electronics Industries, was put into a 550-kilometre orbit, the media said
asia5 hours ago
Visitors to Sharjah Archaeology Museum will get a treat to a collection of sculptures, statues and architectural remnants, originating from the ancient city of Petra.
Petra, Desert Wonder exhibition, which opened earlier this week and will run until March 16, 2017, offers a unique insight into artistic and architectural heritage of the civilisation of the Arab Nabataeans and their 'Rose City'.
Visitors will explore the relationship and connections that linked Petra as a centre of trade with other settlements in the Arabian Peninsula, including Sharjah's most significant archaeological site, Mleiha.
A total of 54 rare archaeological finds, including sculptures, statues, architectural remnants and crafts, showcases Nabataean beliefs and achievements in the fields of industry, engineering and art.
Hidden among steep red rocks of sandstone in the southern part of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the artefacts date back 300BC to 106AD, when Petra was the capital of a wealthy and powerful kingdom, as well as a political and economic metropolis.
Half-built, half-carved into reddish pink rock gave Petra its second name, Rose City. Surrounded by mountains, the Petra archaeological park was declared a Unesco World Heritage site in 1985 and has been popularised in films such as the 1989 Hollywood blockbuster Indiana Jones.
Thanks to its strategic location, the Petra dominated trade links affiliated with the passage of caravans transporting incense, frankincense and spices.
The exhibition, a collaboration between the Sharjah Museums Department and the Department of Antiquities in Jordan, is considered integral in promoting cross-cultural exchange between Arab societies.
"From today, visitors will gain an understanding into one of the most important civilisations in the region and the groundbreaking artistic and architectural heritage integral to their capital," said Manal Ataya, Director-General of the Sharjah Museums Department.
Certain pieces reveal the sophistication of Petra's Great Temple, including its complex underground plumbing system that ensured a supply of drinking water even in time of drought.
Others reveal the advanced technology of the time, such as bronze jug handle decorated with the figure of Medusa that historians believe was produced in Petra's own bronze-making workshop.
Visitors will also gain an insight into the beliefs of the Nabataean people, such as the Gods they worshiped and the way in which building entrances were commonly decorated with the image of Medusa to ward off evil.
With such glimpses of history, wonder, myth and mystery, the possibility of people walking out enlightened with rich history is likely to be high!
Photos by M.Sajjad
reporters@khaleejtimes.com
The satellite, designed and built by Iranian Electronics Industries, was put into a 550-kilometre orbit, the media said
asia5 hours ago
She will take the stage on December 20
entertainment5 hours ago
The UAE delegation met with Sudanese women refugees affected by the current conflict
uae6 hours ago
Work will resume on Monday, September 16, 2024, with the regular operating hours
uae6 hours ago
He injured his right ankle during the final of the Copa America on July 14 when he helped Argentina to victory over Colombia
football7 hours ago
The announcement came after her last tweet, which was shared earlier this month to mark the one-year anniversary of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jawan
entertainment7 hours ago
Boeing's first astronaut mission ended earlier this month with its Starliner capsule returning to Earth while test pilots remained in space
space7 hours ago
This gold medal marks the country's second podium finish at the championship
sports8 hours ago