New archaeological discoveries have revealed fresh details about Abu Dhabi’s early settlers and their way of life.

The latest excavations on Marawah Island by archaeologists from the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) unearthed large numbers of stone arrowheads and decorated plaster vessel fragments.

The richly painted plaster vessels feature decorative art never before seen in previous excavations. Marawah Island lies around 100km to the west of Abu Dhabi city and around 25km northwest of the port of Mirfa.

Its unique topography was first discovered in 1992 during an archaeological inspection and from then on has continuously revealed fascinating information about Abu Dhabi’s past dating back to the Neolithic era.

The most recent excavation, which took place between February and March, bared the full extent of the mound as well as a new set of artefacts.

“The continuing archaeological excavations we are carrying out on Marawah Island continue to uncover fascinating and revealing discoveries,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi. “Marawah Island continues to present stunning evidence of our past which reveals more and more of our storied origins.”