- Location: United Arab Emirates, Ras Al Khaimah
Ras Al Khaimah has many attractions, but Julfar is one of the most interesting and mysterious. This is an ancient city, which was discovered when the city began to be actively built. Djulfar was mentioned in the chronicles in the 600's BC. e., Of them it is known that it flourished until the 16th century, but for a long time even archaeologists did not know where to look for it.
Description
Djulfar was a medieval trading city, and also a port, which indicates that it was of great importance on trade routes between Asia and Europe. During the excavation, an old brick city was found here. Then the archaeologists finally made sure that there was a noisy port with narrow streets and houses made of coral stone.
Julfar was a sought-after port at the entrance to the Gulf, uniting European markets and trade between Africa and India. Also, the researchers found the remains of the settlement from clay brick, located just 10-50 cm below the ancient city of coral stone, in which lived from 50 000 to 70 000 inhabitants in the XIV-XVI centuries.
It is believed that the village of clay brick, built at a depth of 2 to 3 meters and at a different angle to the city of coral stone, is not connected with the city. Brick buildings made of clay from nearby rivers were found in two main trenches, but not in remote areas. There are some signs that the fishermen lived here before the appearance of the stone city. In 1150, the Arabian geographer Al-Idrisi wrote about the ancient city as the center of mother-of-pearl, pearls were mined here.
At the beginning of the 16th century, Julfar was abandoned by residents, since its main source of fresh water - the stream - was flooded due to coastal currents and sedimentary deposits.
How to get there?
The ancient city is next to the E11 highway. You can get to the place by car. To do this, you need to go on the road and go to Al Rams Rd. At the end of this short street is Djulfar.