Secrets of the shaabiyat Recent developments in the archaeology of the (urban) oasis landscape of Al Ain

This paper will provide a brief overview of ongoing archaeological investigations being undertaken by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi’s Historic Environment Department during infrastructure and construction projects in the historic shaabiyat housing areas of Al Ain. It will outline the scope of these works, the opportunities they present and the archaeological response. The paper will conclude with some recent examples from two areas, Falaj Al Mazmi and Kuwaitat, of the important new insights this work is providing, both for our understanding of the development of the oasis landscape of Al Ain and its future management within a modern urban context.

Peter Sheehan, Mohammed Khalifa, Malak Al Ajou and Nour Nasser Al Marzooqi