’’Journey Through History’’ With Sharjah Archaeology Museum Planned To Take Place From January To March 2013

The Sharjah Archaeology Museum, in collaboration with the Department of Interpretation and Education Department at the Sharjah Museums Department (SMD), is organizing a programme called “Journey through History”, which will be implemented in three phases; starting in January and concluding in March 2013.

The event falls within the museum’s framework of offering an outstanding educational and informative experience and attendees can look forward to an extraordinary tour of the museum. During the three-phase journey participants – accompanied by a group of professors and experts – will gain a deep insight into the most important ages of the history and civilization of Sharjah and the Arabian Peninsula.

The first programme began with a lecture by Dr Hamad Mohammed Bin Sarai, Co-professor of ancient history at the UAE University. In his lecture, Prof Bin Sarai gave a review of his book entitled ‘Camels in the Land of the Ancient Near East and the Arabian Peninsula: In History - Archaeology - Literature’.
The book explores the nature of the rapport between camels and humans, and the relationship that exists between these two and the environment, history, archaeology, and travel. Bin Sarai investigated the relationship between camels and humans since their domestication in ancient times through to modern history.
In the lecture Bin Sarai highlighted the historical presence of camels in the region, which dates back thousands of years as well as the depth of camels’ relationship with Arabs. He explained the use of camels by Arabs as a means of transport and as the most prevalent goods carriers in the desert until the emergence of cars in the Arabian Peninsula.

Commenting on the occasion Nasir Al Darmaki, Curator of the Sharjah Archaeology Museum said: “The museum has adopted a programme of monthly lectures under the theme “Journey through History”, during which professors and other experts will share their knowledge of history with participants in an effort to help them gain a deeper understanding of Sharjah and its civilizations, from the earliest age to the modern era.”

He continued: "Talks will focus on specific topics in history and archaeology, and will relate to the museum’s collections in particular, and the museum’s role in promoting knowledge about Sharjah’s archaeology and history in general. The lectures will be presented by an elite group of professors and specialists with vast experience in and knowledge of the selected topics."

Emphasizing the objectives of the programme Al Darmaki said: “The main aim of the lectures is to broaden the community’s knowledge by highlighting the history of Sharjah through the Sharjah Archaeology Museum’s collections.”

He noted that the public will, through these lectures, be given an opportunity to uncover the stories behind certain archaeological discoveries and the latest findings by researchers.
He added that the lectures will also enable professionals and those interested in history and archaeology to network, exchange knowledge, and expertise on a monthly basis.

Al Darmaki underlined the programme’s contribution to the booming cultural movement in Sharjah and referred to the importance of such lectures and educational programmes in enhancing the museum’s educational role, and in bringing together the emirate’s intellectual elite and the community.

The Sharjah Archaeology Museum was established in 1997 as a permanent archive for all archaeological findings recovered in the emirate of Sharjah. The museum’s mission is to preserve and document Sharjah’s artefacts, with research conducted on collections and all related matters.

It also aims to facilitate the channels of communication between museum workers, visitors and collections, as well as to disseminate knowledge about the museum’s collections in a manner that encourages appreciation, learning, and enjoyment of Sharjah’s archaeological heritage.
 

Emirate:  Sharjah

Date: Jan 17, 2013

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