Conservators, architects, scientists and archaeologists have joined forces this month to restore an ancient temple dating roughly two millennia, from complete destruction. The Ad-Dour Temple, discovered by archaeologists in the desert sands of Umm Al-Quwain in the 1980s, is the subject of a unique conservation project that is breaking ground both in the United Arab Emirates and in the rest of the region.
With the aim of conserving and promoting the cultural heritage and identity of the United Arab Emirates, a basis of cooperation was established between the National Council for Tourism and Antiquities (NCTA), Ministry of Infrastructure Development, Umm Al-Quwain’s Department of Antiquities and Heritage, and ICCROM, through its regional conservation centre in Sharjah (ICCROM-ATHAR). Sharjah’s Institute for Heritage has also been supporting the project by providing much needed materials.
Launched on 1 February 2016 as the result of a scientific study jointly conducted by the project’s partners, ICCROM-ATHAR is responsible for the supervision and execution of the restoration works, and is making use of its exceptional network of cultural heritage professionals.
The international experts are employing state-of-the-art technology in their race against time to help restore this precious piece of history, a beautiful square-shaped structure dedicated to the Semitic sun god Shamash.
H.E. Muhammed Khamis Al-Muhairy, Director-General of the NCTA, underlined the importance of restoring this monumental archaeological site, as it feeds into the broader objective of bringing to the forefront the UAE's cultural heritage and identity and showcasing it to the world.
Local professionals will be engaged in the restoration works, which will allow them for them to receive training and and strengthen their skills in archaeological conservation.
Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of ICCROM-ATHAR, believes the project has much to offer to the wider community: “The temple provides us with significant architectural and aesthetic value; it is a part of the nation’s heritage, especially with regards to the society’s religious and cultural values. We need to preserve whatever is left, and not only for us to cherish, but for future generations as well.”
Ms. Alya Al Ghafli, Director of the Department of Antiquities and Heritage in Umm Al-Quwain, explained the deterioration of Ad-Dour temple over the past years, referring to factors such as natural erosion caused by wind and rain, which has led to the collapse of some of the temple’s walls and the decay of its plaster. This condition called for immediate intervention for restoration and preservation, especially given the prior enlisting of this temple on UAE’s Tentative World Heritage List in 2012.
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