Lost 4th century city famous for pearls discovered near UAE
Although Tu'am is documented in historical sources, its exact location was never known
A long-lost ancient city known for its pearl industry has likely been discovered by archaeologists on Siniyah Island, off the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Umm al-Quwain Department of Tourism and Archaeology announced the finding of ancient residential buildings believed to be part of the historical city of Tu’am, where pearls discovered in the past contributed to its renowned pearl industry.
Although Tu’am is documented in historical sources, its exact location was never known. Previous theories suggested different locations within the UAE, but recent findings on Siniyah Island point to this new site.
Michele Degli Esposti, head of the Italian Archaeological Mission in Umm al-Quwain and a researcher with the Polish Academy of Sciences, described the discovery as significant. “This is really exciting,” he told The National newspaper. “This site is up-and-coming.”
Tu’am dates back to at least the fourth century and was well-known in the sixth century, with its pearls being regularly mentioned in ancient manuscripts. According to scholars, Tu’am was the capital of a coastal area known for its pearl fishing industry. The city’s decline is linked to regional battles and a bubonic plague pandemic that struck the Near East, Mediterranean, and portions of Europe in the sixth century, eventually driving Tu’am into obscurity.
The discovery of densely packed ancient residential units on Siniyah Island may provide evidence of this lost settlement. In recent years, archaeologists also uncovered a pearling village and a Christian monastery in the same area on the island, suggesting a much larger and significant settlement existed there.
Tim Power of UAE University told The National that “our archaeological work has discovered the largest settlement by far ever found on the Gulf coast of the Emirates.” It dates back to the exact time period stated in early Islamic geographical literature. This is certainly an important place that no one had before discovered.”
The village on Siniyah Island appears to have attracted Christian monks, who founded a monastery in the late sixth and early seventh century. Tu’am is thought to have been a Christian town for approximately 200 years prior to the advent of Islam in the region.
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