Important archaeological discovery in the United Arab Emirates: a plaster cross from an ancient Christian monastery (the remains of which remain today) that was located on the island of Sir Bani Yas, off the coast of the Al Dhafra region in the emirate of Abu Dhabi, has in fact been found. Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism (DCT Abu Dhabi) broke the news.
The discovery, made during the first major excavation on the island in more than 30 years, is a reminder of “the deep traditions of peaceful coexistence in the UAE,” according to DCT Abu Dhabi. The research campaign on the island of Sir Bani Yas was launched in 2025. The cross is modeled on a plaster plaque, shows similarities to artifacts from Iraq and Kuwait, and is related to the Church of the East, whose origins date back to ancient Iraq. The Christian monastery from which it came dates back to the 7th-8th centuries AD and was discovered in 1992 by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (ADIAS). Since then, excavations have unearthed a church and monastic complex occupied at the same time as the monastery. They are currently interpreted as separate spaces where senior monks retired for periods of contemplation and ascetic isolation.
Sir Bani Yas is part of a larger group of churches and monasteries that arose in the region during the same period, with similar sites in Umm Al Quwain, Kuwait, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Christianity spread and declined in the Arabian Peninsula between the fourth and sixth centuries AD. Christians and Muslims later coexisted until the 8th century AD, when the Sir Bani Yas monastery was abandoned. Today, the church and monastery, located within nature reserves, are a testament to Abu Dhabi’s ancient past.
As part of restoration work conducted by DCT Abu Dhabi in 2019, the church and monastery are now protected by structures that shelter the remains from the elements. The site of the Sir Bani Yas church and monastery has also been reopened to the public with improved facilities, including directional signage and a small exhibition of artifacts from earlier excavations, such as glass chalices and a seal with a scorpion motif. A multi-faith church, inspired by the ancient site, has also been built next to the visitor center. Archaeologists are currently studying and exploring a group of courtyard dwellings near the monastery, where early Christian monks lived in retreat. These houses, DCT Abu Dhabi points out, could be integrated into a larger tourist trail that will link the island’s cultural monuments.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, said, “The discovery of this ancient Christian cross on Sir Bani Yas Island is a powerful testimony to the UAE’s deep and enduring values of cultural coexistence and openness. It arouses in us a deep sense of pride and honor and reminds us that peaceful coexistence is not a modern construct, but a principle woven into the very fabric of our region’s history. The ongoing discoveries on the island of Sir Bani Yas, even after 30 years of research and excavation, underscore the greatness of our cultural heritage and the importance of our ongoing commitment to its preservation and understanding. As DCT Abu Dhabi continues to uncover these precious stories, we reaffirm our commitment to preserving, promoting and protecting Abu Dhabi’s diverse heritage, a heritage we are honored to share with the world. These discoveries deepen our connection to the past and inspire future generations to embrace the spirit of unity and mutual respect that has always characterized our community.”
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| Abu Dhabi, Christian cross discovered in excavation of ancient monastery |
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