1,400-Year-Old Christian Monastery Unearthed in Abu Dhabi

Swift Summary

• Revelation: A 1,400-year-old plaster Christian cross was uncovered during excavation on Sir Bani Yas island in the United Arab Emirates.
• Meaning: This discovery proves that a series of houses excavated decades ago were part of a monastery and inhabited by Christians.
• Details: The cross is approximately 30 cm long and located in the courtyard of one house within nine small courtyard houses found near an ancient church and monastery dating to the 7th-8th centuries A.D.
• Historical Context: christianity spread in the Arabian gulf between the 4th and 6th centuries until Islam became predominant in the region starting from the 7th century. Both Muslims and Christians lived on Sir Bani Yas until its abandonment in the 8th century.
• Future Work: Archaeologists plan to continue exploring these courtyard houses for further insights into life during this era.

!A stucco cross discovered at a UAE monastery site

Indian Opinion Analysis

This archaeological find underlines India’s historical connections to early global religious developments, notably Christianity’s spread across Asia before Islam’s prominence took hold in many regions, including South asia itself later on. while distant geographically, such early traces of religious plurality are valuable reminders of how interconnected cultural histories are across continents. For India-a nation with diverse faith traditions-discoveries like this reinforce shared regional narratives tied to antiquity.

The UAE’s effort to preserve such sites aligns with India’s similar focus on conserving its heritage monuments,which serve both educational purposes and tourism goals significantly enhancing international engagement around history-led diplomacy initiatives.

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