Shimal Archaeology
Shimal Archaeology
Shimal, located a few kilometers east of the city, has some of the most spectacular archaeology in the country, and the Gulf. The Shimal tombs include a variety of designs from long cylindrical single chamber tombs to U-shaped collective tombs to variations on the Umm an Nar style.
Archaeological work by Christian Velde, resident archaeologist of Ras al Khaimah, indicates a massive defensive wall, complete with towers, may have existed cutting across the gravel plain from Shimal to Falayah.
 One of circular watchtowers of Shimal |
 No doorway at ground level; access to the tower is via a rope thrown down from the opening |
 XXX pottery is abundant at the tower site, along with several varieties of shell fish |
 Another view of the tower which is visible from the main highway |
 Pottery in situ |
 Some of the shells that litter the site |
 A flat piece of pottery that may have been a plate |
 A view from the tower; an Umm an Nar tomb is located at the bend in the road |
 This tomb was discovered during construction of the new road |
 The dressed stones that once decorated the exterior of the tomb |
 Another view of dressed stone |
 Shells are also plentiful at the tomb site |
 The tomb is a classic multi-chambered design |
 A view of the tomb chambers |
 Goat skull near an Iron Age settlement |
 Another view of the goat skull |
 Amid the Shimal tombs this ancient settlement site |
 Brien inspecting some of the houses |
 Fossils in the rock at the settlement site |
 Another view of fossils |
 A classic U-shaped Shimal tomb |
 The leaning stones of this tomb are still in place |
 Detail of some of the stonework; the tomb was likely dome-shaped |
 Stump of a tree; firewood is valuable |
 This tomb features two chambers, one an oval around a central linear chamber |
