To naked the early Christian community of the United Arab Emirates

Cross the early Christine community of Sir Bani Yas Island. Courtesy of Culture and Tourism Abu Dhabi.

During the renewed excavation in the monastery of Sir Bani Yas Island in the United Arab Emirates, archaeologists discovered a remarkable: a plaster plaster of a cross that is from the seventh or eighth century. The rare search sheds extra on the early Christian community in the Persian Gulf.

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The community of an island

The monastic community of Sir Bani Yas Islands developed from 600 to 750 CE after the spread of Islam in the area. In addition to the remnants of a monastery, past excavations have revealed nearby churches, residential areas and burial locations. After 30 years, renewing the excavation on the site, archaeologists found a plaster cross inside a small house near the monastery.

The plaque, which is about 1 feet tall and crossed 6 inches, has a cross at a one -step base, which represented Golgutha. In addition, emerging from the base is a styling picture of the plants. According to a press release from the Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT) Abu Dhabi, the plaque was possibly hung on a wall and was used as a purpose of meditation, prayer and reflection. The cross style is similar to the East (or Nestrine) church, founded in Iran in the fifth century.

The monastery of Sir Bani Yas is linked to the spread of Christianity in the region during this period, which saw the establishment of several monasteries and Christian communities, especially from the fourth to the sixth century. Several sites similar to Sir Bani Yas have been discovered in Ummah, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia. In the seventh century, Christianity began to decline in the seventh century with the spread of Islam. It seems that the monastery of Sir Bani Yas has been abandoned peacefully, because no buildings in the monastery show signs of destroying.

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Today, the monastery and its affiliated archaeological site have been included in the protection of a major public nature, including projects for a facilities and protection. According to the Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Muhammad Khalifa Al -Mubarak, “Sir Bani Yas Island’s discoveries, even after 30 years of research and excavation, indicate the importance of our permanent commitment to the expansion and protection and understanding of our cultural heritage, such as the protection of the world.

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