At Marawah, experts believe it was the bountiful resources of the Arabian Gulf, rather than growing crops, that likely convinced people to settle down and live in the one place. In this way, the village of Marawah can be seen as the first example of the modern towns and cities like Abu Dhabi that developed along the Arabian Gulf coast in the recent past.

These ancient people realised that the sea provided a rich source of food and economic opportunities that were unique to this region, and they were able to harvest seafood from the ocean that sustained them through difficult times.

Experts also believe that the ancient inhabitants of Marawah realised that the Gulf was an ancient superhighway that connected them to their neighbours, so they developed sophisticated ship technology to conduct trade and business.

The importance of this trade has been revealed by the treasure trove of artifacts discovered at the site.

One ceramic vessel found at Marawah, now on display at Louvre Abu Dhabi, is the earliest example of a complete imported trade vessel so far found in the UAE.

DCT Abu Dhabi archaeologists are planning to return as soon as conditions permit to further investigate this extraordinary ancient village.

Their work will shed further light on the origins of what is now recognised as the earliest known village built in the UAE.

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