World’s oldest known natural pearl discovered on Abu Dhabi Island

A- A A+

Last Updated : Jan 18 2021 10:21PM Screen Reader Access

News Highlights

PM Modi lays foundation stone of Ahmedabad Metro Rail Project Phase-II and Surat Metro Rail Project Govt. releases 12th weekly installment of Rs 6,000 crore to States and UTs to meet GST compensation shortfall India and Japan sign MoC to promote movement of skilled workers from India to Japan Stranded ship MV Jag Anand with 23 Indian crew members from China reaches Japan; First batch of crew to fly back tonight India needs 324 more runs on concluding day to win Brisbane test and series

Oct 21, 2019

9:16AM

World’s oldest known natural pearl discovered on Abu Dhabi Island

@admediaoffice

The oldest known natural pearl in the world has been discovered by Abu Dhabi archaeologists working at a Neolithic site on Marawah Island, just off the coast of Abu Dhabi.

Dubbed the ‘Abu Dhabi Pearl’, it was found in layers that have been radiocarbon dated to 5,800-5,600 BCE, during the Neolithic period.

The Emirates News Agency said that the discovery is a proof that pearls and oysters were being used in the UAE nearly 8,000 years ago, and represents the earliest known evidence for pearling yet discovered anywhere in the world.

Prior to the Abu Dhabi Pearl discovery, the earliest known pearl in the UAE came from a Neolithic site in Umm Al Qaiwain. Ancient pearls have also been found at a Neolithic cemetery close to Jebel Buhais, in the Emirate of Sharjah.