Excavations in the Umm Al Quwain area of the UAE have revealed 6th century ruins that could be the lost city of Tu’am.
The ruins are situated on Al Sinniyah Island, part of a collection of small islands on the western part of the Khor Al Bidiyah peninsula.
Previous studies on the island have revealed a pearling village and monastery, which has been the focus of the latest season of excavations.
But archaeologists have discovered evidence of a larger settlement, with the earliest signs of occupation dating back to the 4th century AD and peaking in the 5th or 6th century.
The team uncovered traces of large semi-urbanised tenement buildings measuring 30 square metres, which are tightly packed around narrow walkways.
According to the researchers, the settlement could be the lost city of Tu’am as described in Ancient Arab texts.
"Tu’am was a regional capital on the Gulf coast that was famed for its pearl fishing industry and trade in precious gems. The population went into decline following a plague and regional tensions, and subsequently was abandoned," the archaeologists said.
Mass graves in the vicinity support the historical account of plague, as the skeletal remains show no evidence of trauma or a violent death.
While the researchers have not found irrefutable evidence, no other major settlements from this period have been discovered on the coast, strengthening the argument that the settlement is Tu’am.
