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71 SHARJAH ARCHAEOLOGY. Archaeological Surveys in Sharjah Emirate (U.A.E.). Sharjah: Directorate of Archaeology, 1997 uncovering ancient sharjah An unbroken run of the first six reports, apparently published for international institutions rather than public consumption. They are rare in commerce, and reasonably scarce institutionally. In 1984, Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad al-Qassimi invited to Sharjah the Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS), Maison de l’Orient, and Lyon University, whose archaeologists were already working with Bahrain and Kuwait. With the support of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the team, led by Remy Boucharlat, worked jointly with local experts led by Director of Archaeology Nasir al-Aboudi. The six reports cover seven seasons from 1984 to 1992, describing major discoveries across the Sharjah territories, making up a self-contained body of work led by Boucharlat (a new programme was designed in 1993, led by his successor, Michel Mouton). These include the pioneering excavations at Mleiha, which is today part of a site on UNESCO’s tentative list, and a major UAE tourist attraction. They also reveal increased public awareness and efforts to promote conservation in the face of rapid urbanisation and agricultural development. The first season (5–14 Mar. 1984) conducted a pioneering general survey and mapped areas to be excavated later, along the coast, in the sand dune zone, inland basin, and Oman mountain and coastal plain. The second season (12 Mar.–14 Apr. 1985) made findings about migration and possible trade along the coast and Dhaid Plain, raising several questions for future exploration. The third season (13 Jan.–20 Apr. 1986) continued at the same sites and began at Mleiha near Dhaid. It sought cooperation to preserve the site from the encroachments of farming. The fourth season (21 Jan.–7 Apr. 1988) yielded significant finds at Mleiha including a necropolis, and evidence for a wider cultural space along the Gulf and through the interior to Yemen, with links to the Mediterranean and Persian coast.
The fifth season (26 Nov. 1988–15 Mar. 1989) was visited by al-Qassimi and attracted a number of visitors, among them journalists, reflecting growing national interest. It completed work at Dhaid and the east coast and continued at Mleiha. Some work was close to Sharjah Airport, in an area due to be urbanised. The sixth and seventh seasons (mid-Jan. to early Mar. 1990 and 1992) are both described in the Sixth Report. Most field work was done at Mleiha. Boucharlat had planned to finish in 1990, but the accidental discovery of a coin mould by the side of the road called for another season. An Iron Age necropolis was partly excavated at Jabal Buhais and the plain of al Madam surveyed. Field work in 1991 had been cancelled due to the Gulf War. However, two missions were sent to Sharjah Museum, to help establish a conservation unit. 6 volumes, narrow quarto. Original variously coloured printed wrappers. With half-tone illustrations and line drawings throughout. Fourth report bumped at head otherwise an excellent set. £3,750 [159358] 72 SILVEIRA, Humberto da. Hegra. Rio de Janeiro: Martins da Silveira, 2013
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