Recent excavations in the United Arab Emirates revealed a cross about 1,400 years, which confirms the existence of an ancient monastery.
This finding represents a significant historical evidence of the presence of Christian communities in the region before the expansion of Islam and offers new perspectives on monastic life and religious interaction of the time.
The play was discovered during recent excavations on the island of Sir Bani Yas, located approximately 170 kilometers southwest of Abu Dhabi. It is a panel of about 30 centimeters, carefully preserved, located in the courtyard of one of the small houses of the complex.
Archaeologist Maria Gajewska, from the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi, highlighted in a video: “We never had concrete evidence that these houses were inhabited by Christians […] e The cross now confirms the connection with the monastery.”
How does the cross confirm the existence of a monastery?
The place was already known since 1992, when archaeologists found nine small homes with courtyards, as well as a church dated from the 18th and 18th centuries. Despite these findings, until then there was no concrete evidence that houses were part of the same religious complex.
The presence of the cross definitively establishes that the houses formed a monastic settlement. Until then, the relationship between residential buildings and the monastery was only speculative.
Now, it is known that the houses were occupied by monks, revealing a hierarchical and functional organization typical of the monastic communities of the time: Senior monks probably lived isolated in homes, dedicating themselves to prayer and meditation before gathering for collective activities in the central monastery.
The cross acts as material proof that the place was not only housing, but religious, and that spiritual activities were closely linked to architecture and planning of the complex.
The style of the piece has traces of ornamentation typical of the period, indicating that the inhabitants were connected to wider religious networks – both culturally and spiritually.
The finding shows that these communities had sophisticated artistic and liturgical elements, sharing practices and symbols with other regions of the Middle East. In addition, it highlights the coexistence of varied cultural influences, including commercial and religious contacts with other neighboring regions.
Future excavations are expected to reveal manuscripts, ceramics, tools and other objects that can offer more details about the island’s material and spiritual culture.
The historic site has a good condition and is already open to the public, allowing visitors and researchers to know the history of the island. Authorities are committed to continuing excavations, protecting the findings and documenting each discoveryensuring that the archaeological and cultural wealth of the region is preserved for future generations.
How long was the monastery active and what was the religious context?
The monastery and their associated houses were in operation until the eighth century. Between the 18th and eighth centuries, Christians and Muslims coexisted on the island, reflecting a period of religious tolerance before the consolidation of Islam as a predominant religion.
Peaceful coexistence suggests that the place was not only a space of worship, but also a cultural exchange point, where different religious traditions interacted daily. This expands the understanding of the spiritual diversity of the region before Islamization.
What is the relevance of the discovery for archeology and history?
The cross strengthens the understanding of the presence and expansion of ancient Christianity in the region before the rise of Islam. It shows that the island was a religious center of regional importance, connecting communities and facilitating the spread of monastic practices.
From the archaeological point of view, The play provides concrete evidence about religious life, social organization and cultural interaction of the time. For the region, the discovery reinforces the historical and cultural relevance of the site, encouraging archaeological and scientific tourism, as well as valuing the country’s religious and multicultural heritage.
