Dubai Culture Honoured for Excellence in Cultural Heritage Preservation

Government

Dubai Culture Honoured for Excellence in Cultural Heritage Preservation

Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) has been awarded an Appreciation Award by the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, recognising its exceptional efforts in safeguarding Dubai’s archaeological and cultural heritage.

The accolade was presented during the Authority’s participation in the 28th Arab Archaeologists Conference in Cairo, Egypt. The award celebrates Dubai Culture’s achievements in archaeological surveying, excavation, restoration, and knowledge production across some of the emirate’s most significant historical sites — including Saruq Al-Hadid, Jumeirah, Al Sufouh, Al Qusais, and Hatta. To date, over 25,000 artefacts have been uncovered through these extensive projects.

The honour also acknowledges Dubai Culture’s commitment to restoring historic buildings and objects, and its contributions to academic research through specialised studies and papers across the archaeological field.

Research Contributions Showcased at the Conference

Dubai Culture presented three significant research papers:

“Findings of the Restoration and Conservation Project for Artefacts Excavated from Archaeological Sites in Dubai”
— Presented by Noura Al Khoury, Antiquities Conservation Section Manager.
— Provided an analytical study of selected metal artefacts.
“Ancient Egyptian Seals from the Saruq Al-Hadid Archaeological Site: Evidence of Cultural Interaction During the First Millennium BC”
— Presented by Dr Mansour Boraik Radwan, Archaeology Expert.
— Highlighted cultural connections revealed through rare Egyptian seals.
“Dubai in the Late Islamic Period (16th–19th Century CE): A Historical and Archaeological Study Based on Recent Discoveries at the Suhaila Site in Hatta”
— Presented by Fatma Abdulla Saeed, Chief Archaeologist.

Strengthening Dubai’s Global Cultural Standing

Eng. Bader Mohammed Al Ali, Director of the Antiquities Department at Dubai Culture, said the award underscores the Authority’s success in adopting innovative methods for heritage preservation. He noted that Dubai’s archaeological record spans more than 120,000 years, from the Lower Paleolithic era to the Late Islamic period of the 19th century.

He added that the conference — which saw the broadest Arab participation since its inception — offered a valuable platform to highlight Dubai’s archaeological significance and its growing global reputation as a centre for scientific study and cultural discovery.