SHARJAH // Stone axes, scrapers and awls thought to date back hundreds of thousands of years have been unearthed at a newly discovered archaeological site in Al Dhaid.

A team of archaeologists from the Department of Antiquities and Tubingen University in Germany found a large quantity of stone tools at the site in the central region of Sharjah.

Dr Sabah Jassim, head of the local archaeological team, said the items are being analysed to determine their exact age.

“We have sent several items, including axes and scrapers, to Germany for further analysis, said Dr Jassim. “The discovery of these tools will add valuable information to our records about the Stone Age in the emirate, and the early history of human groups and their predecessors in this region.”

Awls were used to puncture the leather of animal hides, while scrapers were used to clean the leather by scraping away the meat and fur.

Several excavations have been carried out in Sharjah at Al Dhaid, Al Madam and Al Faya in recent years. Objects unearthed in these locations were similar to those found at the new site.

Last year the DoA discovered anvils, hammers, pottery and the remains of smelting and copper workshops. Human skeletons were found in a mass grave containing pottery, glazed jars, weapons and burial gifts, as well as a rare collection of glass bottles.

tzriqat@thenational.ae