| In keeping with the
chronological order, the discoveries of the 2nd
millennium BC have been displayed after the exhibits
of the 3rd millennium BC culture of Umm An-Nar.
 In
the 2nd millennium BC the round collective burials
which we encountered at both Hili and Umm An-Nar
as well as in other areas in the UAE have disappeared.
A new type of burial has been introduced by the
cultures of this area.
The new burial type is represented
by rectangular collective tombs with no divisions.
Access to these burials is gained through one of
the long walls. The only known example of this type
of burial in Al Ain is the one at Qattarah. The
Qattarah tomb was accidentally discovered in 1973
and excavated by the department of Antiquities between
1973 and 1976. In terms of finds the Qattarah tomb
is very rich. Most interesting are the golden pendants
displayed in case 137.
 Two
gold pendants, each made in the shape of two animals
attached at the back were found. Other pendants
found included one in the shape of a lion (or bull?),
another in the shape of a goat, and finally, a silver
pendant in the shape of a bull.
 Apart
from these pedants there are numbers of gold beads
and necklaces made of semi-precious stones, in particular
agate, calcedony and carnelian. A necklace of shells
and some other shell rings are also on display.
While re-cleaning the tomb several
years later the researcher of this web site noticed
some bone splinters that were still poking out of
the ground. Subsequently, test trenches led to a
40cm thick occupied layer with badly preserved bones
and other objects. This layer was missed during
the first excavation only because, was dug out below
the foundations level. Several sword blades, daggers,
spearheads, all made of bronze were found (case
138). Also among the finds were bracelets and small
finds (not on display). Some bronze and stone vessels
were found as well (case 139).
It should be noted that the true second
millennium BC settlements have not been discovered
in the region. However the French archaeologists
found evidence of this culture at Hili 8. Architectural
remains on the surface of the site provided evidence
of a culture which existed around 1800 BC.
The period of the second millennium
in Abu Dhabi remains sketchy, with few documented
finds. However further evidence of cultural activity
came from the settlement site at Shimal in Ras Al
Khaima and from the other rectangular tombs in both
Ras Al Khaima and Fujairah. The Department of Antiquities
in Al Ain discovered and excavated a 30 metre long
tomb of that period at the village of Bidya north
of Fujairah.
 In
the same wing (2nd mill. BC culture) there are other
exhibits belonging to the same culture. These are
displayed in two small cases (cases 140 and 141).
Case 140 shows four bronze spearheads and a knife
blade and the remains of a razor blade. The other
case (141) contains pottery and stone vessels.
The latter collection of finds came
from two single-chamber subterranean burials that
were discovered at Hili/North, on the edge of the
city of Al ain. The estimated date is around 1800
BC as well.
On the left of these exhibits
there are two other cases (142 and 143) showing
various finds such as bronze arrowheads, sword blades,
awls, rings, razor blades and a pair of bronze bangles;
together with nice small stone vessels some of which
have lids. All these finds were purchased from or
donated to the museum by the UAE citizens. Their
dates vary from the 3rd to the 1st millennium BC.
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