Al Ain Watchtowers

The city of Al Ain was once a collection of individual oases, separated by stretches of desert. In ancient times, families and tribes farmed their oases and, on occasion, were required to protect themselves and their possessions from raids. Over time, the families and tribes constructed towers to watch out for raiders and to provide a vantage point from which to defend themselves. These towers were eventually complemented by other structures, including walls, forts and fortified houses.