Two Late Umm an-Nar Tombs at Mowaihat-Ajman, United Arab Emirates
Excavations and Human Bone Remains
By (author) Walid Yasin Al Tikriti By (author) Kathleen McSweeney
Paperback (Published)
(November 2025)
ISBN: 9781805831358
7.99 x 10.91 inches
Price: $49.00
On back order
This report details rescue excavations at two tombs in Al Mowaihat, Ajman, dating to the late 3rd millennium BC. Findings expanded the known reach of the Umm an-Nar Culture. A new osteological study of Tomb B’s remains reveals burial differences from similar sites, offering fresh insights into ancient practices.
This report comprises information resulting from rescue excavations at two collective tombs (A and B), belonging to the last quarter of the third millennium BC at Al Mowaihat, Emirate of Ajman, U.A.E. The excavations at Tomb A, a disturbed above-ground, circular grave, and the diversity of the materials discovered in Tomb B, a rectangular subterranean pit-grave, in the mid-1980s have confirmed that the sphere of the Umm an-Nar Culture in the United Arab Emirates is much wider than originally thought. Whilst Tomb A was fully excavated, Tomb B was only partially uncovered (Al Tikriti 1989). Excavation at the latter was completed by Late Ernie Haerink (1991). The aim of this report is therefore to summarize the two preliminary published reports, and more importantly, to introduce an osteological study on the human bone remains from Tomb B. Since the discovery of the Umm an-Nar culture by the Danish Archaeological Expedition in the late 1950s, subterranean tombs of the period are still rare. Tomb N at Hili in Al Ain and Tomb B iat Al Mowaihat n Ajman are the only ones known so far. However, despite belonging to the same period and showing similarities in burial customs, the bone study of the Ajman remains demonstrated some differences between the dead of Tombs B and N.
Prelude
Acknowledgments
Abstract
الملخص
Mowaihat, Ajman: The excavations – Walid Yasin Al Tikriti
Introduction
The two Mowaihat tombs at Ajman
The circular tomb
The rectangular tomb (Tomb B)
Conclusion
Mowaihat, Ajman: The human remains – Kathleen McSweeney
Background to the research
Tomb B Mowaihat
Minimum number of individuals (MNI)
Age at death
Assessment of sex
Estimation of stature
Health and disease
Summary of the collated data from the Mowaihat Tomb B remains
The Mowaihat Tomb B remains in the wider context
Jar burial
APPENDIX 1
List of objects from Mowaihat, Ajman: Tombs A and B (1986/1987)
Tomb A, Group P (pottery)
Tomb B (pottery)
Stone vessels – Group S (chlorite?)
Miscellanea – Group M
APPENDIX 2
List of objects from Mowaihat, Ajman, Tomb B (1990) (NB: copied from Haerinck 1991)
APPENDIX 3
Key for Figure 68 – Ajman Rectangular Tomb B
References
- By (author) Walid Yasin Al Tikriti
- By (author) Kathleen McSweeney
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