Lecture: Coral Dating and History of Coastal Archaeological Sites in Fujairah by Dr. Julie Retrum and Dr. Michele Ziolkowski

TIME: Refreshments from 7pm, lecture from 7.30pm 
VENUE: Salon 1, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi 
LECTURE TITLE:  Coral Dating and History of Coastal Archaeological Sites in Fujairah by Dr. Julie Retrum and Dr. Michele Ziolkowski
LECTURE SUMMARY: The emirate of Fujairah has numerous archaeological and historical sites constructed with locally-sourced building materials. Along the coast, many archaeological sites were built with coral stone, a locally abundant building material harvested from the Arabian Sea. Using uranium-thorium radiometric dating, archaeological corals from Al Bidyah Mosque and coastal towers in Rul Dibba and Rul Dhadnah provide new and previously unknown ages for these sites. The archaeological investigation conducted at these coastal sites provides an insight into the architecture and architectural parallels, plus the material culture recovered from surface finds and excavation. This presentation will also review the site chronologies and historical contexts.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS:  Dr. Julie Retrum is a geochemist at the Petroleum Institute and Research Center in Abu Dhabi. Her current research focuses on reconstructing high-resolution and high-precision UAE paleoclimate and paleoenvironmental records. Dr. Michele Ziolkowski is an archaeologist and independent researcher, whose work includes the study of rock art, Islamic period archaeology, and soft stone vessels. 

The coral dating project in Fujairah was conducted under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah.