ADACH sets comprehensive vision to safeguard tangible and intangible heritage

posted on 29/03/2011: 57 views

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Advisor for Culture and Heritage in the Court of His Highness the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Director General of the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage has said that archaeological sites provide a link between the past, the present and the future.

"They contain a wealth of priceless treasures of an historical, civil, cultural and even economic nature. They give a clear indication of the contributions made by states and peoples throughout thousands of years of human history and progression", he said in a speech on Archaeology in UAE here yesterday.

He added: "The Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage has adopted a comprehensive vision that aims to safeguard both our tangible and intangible heritage. It has harnessed all its capabilities in order to organise a comprehensive program of archaeological work, and is striving to develop the procedures necessary to oversee surveying and exploration projects and site restoration. It is conducting this work in scientifically researched ways, in accordance with international standards. It is also enhancing its efforts to protect, manage and promote cultural heritage, while cooperating with all the relevant parties to review planning policies aimed at protecting places of cultural and heritage importance".

Our work here today embodies the visions of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (may God bless his soul), who was the first to call for the preservation of the tangible and intangible heritage of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. He was the first to take the initiative and direct Danish archaeologists to the great Hili Tomb in 1962. This is considered to be the most important tomb ever discovered in the Umm al-Nar civilisation. It is estimated to be about 4,500 years old and has become a symbol of archaeological sites in Abu Dhabi, representing the pre-historical ages of the Gulf, he remarked.

Mohammed Khalaf Al Mazrouei observed Archaeological attractions and antiquities are considered to be riches of the past. They highlight our history and inspire people to learn from the previous experiences. For thousands of years the people of the region have been proving their skills in the field of construction. They have contributed to the creation of Arab and Islamic civilisation. The region has always been an important tributary and has proved to be essential in the manufacture processes of the civilised world. It is a symbol of communication; builds bridges and improves the relationships between people, places and cultures.

"The United Arab Emirates is rich in archaeological findings from both ancient and modern history. The tangible heritage in the country includes more than 1,200 archaeological sites dating from 3,000 BC to the late Pre-Islamic period".

"In conclusion, I wish you great success with your research and the important discussion forum you have created to discuss matters of archaeological interest. I hope that your activities will enable you to reap new fruits and serve the material heritage of the UAE and its researchers. With international cooperation I hope that our cultural work, which is aimed at safeguarding human civilisation as a whole, will be promoted", he added.

He also announced the re-launch of the journal "Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates" at the conference aimed at promoting and developing interest in country's archaeological heritage. - Emirates News Agency, WAM

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