The Summit Of Mt.Mleiha, Sarja, UAE
It’s believed that when important figures died in Mleiha, they took with them their most cherished treasures – pottery, swords and jewellery – for the after life. Sometimes they took their camel, horse – or even both.
Once inside the grave, their loyal, unsuspecting animal companions were killed.
“First, the pit was dug, and then the camel was guided into the grave, wearing its bridle and saddle and with a pilgrim flask, a sword and a quiver of arrows. The camel was then made to kneel down, its head pulled back, and it was killed,” explains Ajmal Hasan, the education manager at the recently opened Mleiha Archaeological Centre in Sharjah.
Pieces of charcoal found in one camel’s mouth gives a radiocarbon date of between AD74 and AD125.
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