Dubai, United Arab Emirates (CNN)–The United Arab Emirates may have just celebrated its fiftieth anniversary of independence, but Abu Dhabi has a centuries-old past.
The capital, Abu Dhabi, includes a group of UNESCO World Heritage sites in addition to some of the country’s most well-preserved forts, which display its main geographical location over the centuries, and tell the story of the Emirati people’s connection to both land and sea.
And in Al Ain, just a short drive away, there are some of the most enchanting gems of past generations, including a living museum that honors the country’s Bedouin roots.
Al Ain, the birthplace of the late founder and first president of the country, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, is an indispensable destination for visitors to the UAE to explore its authentic culture and heritage.
Al Ain was a vibrant green oasis on the caravan route from the United Arab Emirates to Oman, and is now home to a number of UNESCO-protected sites.
Here are some of the main archaeological and historical treasures in Abu Dhabi:
Qasr al-Hosn
Qasr al-Hosn, which dates back to the 18th century, had only one watchtower. As the complex grew, the palace eventually became the seat of power until the late 1960s.
“There are beautiful stories regarding the palace told by people who used to live around this place,” said Natalie Leslie, a tour guide in the emirate.
“The door to the palace was pretty much open for people to talk to the elders and express their concerns,” Leslie added.
Today, the palace is a major attraction not only for tourists, but also for Emiratis, who come and sit in the palace café to learn regarding the place their ancestors fondly spoke of.
The palace, which was in use until the 1960s, showcases local culture through exhibitions, as well as regular events.
Al Ain Oasis
Al Ain Oasis was the first site to be inscribed on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in the UAE.
Located in the heart of the place known as The Garden City, the site dates back more than 4,000 years and is evidence of one of the first irrigation systems of the modern era.
The system, known as a falaj, takes water from the neighboring Hajar Mountains through a series of narrow waterways that are still visible today.
Visitors can explore hiking trails through the site, which covers more than 1,200 hectares and contains more than 147,000 palm trees and 100 types of dates.
It was only in the 20th century that the centuries-old falaj system was modernized by installing pumps.
Bida Bint Saud
A treasure trove for archeology enthusiasts, Bida Bint Saud is an ancient caravan site located 25 kilometers north of Al Ain.
The area is characterized by a rare building from the Iron Age, and 5,000-year-old Bronze Age burials, in addition to the Jurn Bint Saud.
This 40-meter-high cliff is dotted with landscapes, with its summit embracing many ancient stone burials.
Many discoveries in the area, such as pottery, dagger blades, jewelry and bronze arrowheads are now on display in the Al Ain National Museum.
Hili Archeology Park
The history of this area dates back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, and it shows evidence of the ancient life that was embraced by the deserts of the region.
Archaeologists have discovered villages, tombs, and agricultural infrastructures from what is now referred to as the Umm al-Nar period, named following the island off the coast of Abu Dhabi, where the remains of that culture were first discovered.
The park is also home to the largest group of burials and buildings in the UAE, dating back to that period.
Jebel Hafeet Cemetery
Jebel Hafeet, the highest peak in Abu Dhabi, contains nearly 500 burials dating back 5,000 years, which marks the beginning of the Bronze Age in the UAE.
The burials were first discovered through excavations in 1959.
In the igloo-like burials, archaeologists found earthenware and copper artifacts that showed the importance of maritime trade across the Gulf.
Leslie saw that these burials are one of the “hidden gems” in Abu Dhabi. “Most people do not know regarding all these discoveries in this area,” she said.
Leslie added, “Although the UAE is a relatively young country, it is distinguished by ancient discoveries that prove this region was once a busy place where history was made.”
Al Maqtaa Fort
This small but important fort at the gateway to the main island of Abu Dhabi was built in the late 18th century using basic materials such as coral stones, beach rocks, and sand.
The tower has protected Abu Dhabi for many years.
“While Qasr Al Hosn has developed into a place of great importance to local residents, Al Maqtaa Fort has become a place of rest for those coming to Abu Dhabi,” explained Leslie.
Al Ain Palace Museum
The museum was once the home of the first president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Zayed, and the ruling family lived there until the 1960s before making the emirate its permanent home as the main island of Abu Dhabi became a political and economic capital.
Visitors can get a glimpse of life inside the palace, which stands as a memory of a time before oil was discovered.
Once converted into a museum, visitors can see the crucial links between the past and the present, and appreciate Abu Dhabi’s rapid transformation from Bedouin life to modern prosperity.
Shamsa Al Naqbi, an Emirati tour guide, said: “If you are a history lover and want to get to know the royal family and traditional architecture in this period, this is the perfect place to go.”
Sir Bani Yas Island Church and Monastery
Sir Bani Yas Island is located in the western region, off the beaten path, and can be reached by boat, or by plane from Abu Dhabi via the resort “Anantara” that manages tourism on this remote island.
Leslie explained that the church and monastery were discovered in the early 1990s, and this is the only Christian site pre-Islamic, and is in the UAE.
The site is the source of hundreds of artifacts that provide a glimpse into life during this period.
“The people of this settlement used the sea as a source of food,” said Leslie.
Sir Bani Yas Island is now a wildlife sanctuary that houses a wide range of protected animals, from the Arabian Oryx, to gazelles, which visitors can watch firsthand during safari trips.
