Unearthing the Bronze Age story

From the magic of a sunrise over the mountains, to a wealth of artefacts in clear view, the United Arab Emirates put on an unforgettable show for a UNE-led international archaeological expedition in November.

The team, comprising diverse technical experts and some students, was looking for clues at Shimal, an ancient site in the Emirate of Ras al-Khaimah, that could help fill in gaps as to what happened in the Middle to Late Bronze Age to seemingly reduce populations and slow activity and external trade in the area.

Expecting evidence to confirm this bleak picture, expedition leader and UNE archaeologist Professor Lloyd Weeks said it was surprising to find a more complex, positive story of human adaptation.

"We generally associate the Late Bronze Age story with a time of decline in community size and activity, pointing to big changes in the region, including major climate events," he said.

"While we need to explore further, the evidence actually suggested the continuation of complex societies during the era. Even as populations were shrinking, we found evidence of continuing trade activity of various goods and materials, and continuation and adaptation of domestic life."

For Lloyd personally, the discovery of metallurgical deposits was a highlight.

"Evidence of metal work is often a piece missing from the puzzle in Late Bronze Age communities, but it is a good indication of the continued diversity and complexity of activity in the communities at the time."

As well as bringing together world-leading experts, the trip offered some UNE students the chance to put their learning into practise, and experience what it's like to live and work on an archaeological site and work as a part of a team.

After making enquiries to Professor Weeks, UNE Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology student Troy Willoughby didn't hesitate to jump on a plane to the UAE.

"I've always loved archaeology, and it's been a childhood dream of mine to go to the Middle East on an archaeological dig," Troy said. "But being there exceeded even my wildest expectations. It was definitely the highlight of my year!"

The landscape and the history captured the imagination of those new to the site.

"There was so much visible history - I couldn't take a step without finding a piece of pottery or a shell midden. You could look out over the landscape and picture where the structures were and almost picture what the landscape looked like a couple of thousand years ago," Troy said.

"The most exciting find for me was finding a hammerstone inside a structure that seemed to be a home. We also found charcoal and animal bones, which showed people had been preparing food in the house and making tools and instruments that would make their lives easier."

Troy says the support and assistance of the senior members of the team also made the experience memorable.

"It was awesome to be part of the university team. I worked closely with two archaeologists, trench supervisors Amanda Dusting and Caitlin D'Gluyas. They were so generous with their time, they answered all my questions and taught me so much practical knowledge you don't necessarily learn in the classroom."

Though Troy says there were some challenges - mostly the "sheer amount of information to take in" and being away from his young family, he would still do it again "in a heartbeat".

"I'm cautious by nature, and not the kind of guy to put myself out there, but jumping on this opportunity has opened up a whole world of possibilities for me. So my advice to others is, take the plunge! Who knows when the opportunity will arise again?"

It's also confirmed the direction he's taking in his career is the right one.

"I've come back to study after being in the workforce for a decade. Being over there inspired me to pursue archaeology, and find the specialisation that speaks to me most, which would make me more desirable for expeditions in future," he said.

Emma Hunt was another student who was also keen to be involved, using the experience to work towards her Master of Arts in Archaeology at UNE.

"I love the archaeology from Arabia and never thought I would get the chance to go," Emma says. "My aim is to be a zooarchaeologist, and I was really excited - and surprised - to be invited to attend the season."

"I was super excited to be working with Associate Professor Melanie Fillios, a guru of zooarchaeology, and with Professor Lloyd Weeks, who has spent years working at Arabian sites."

Emma was also soon under the spell of the landscape.

"I knew very little about Shimal as most of my knowledge was about coastal sites in Oman, but once I began to read up on the area I was hooked!

"I was amazed at the amount of surface finds, never mind the numerous artefacts that were coming out of the trenches! The site was spread out over a large rocky plain at the foot of the mountains and it was spectacular. I've never seen countryside like that before and I never tired of seeing it every morning from the dig house."

As well as gaining practical skills and knowledge, like Troy, Emma said the trip proved she is following the right career path.

"It's motivated me to get through my degree as quickly as I can, and it's confirmed my passion for zooarchaeology.

"I've learned that I can do what I have wanted to do for a long time, which is to study human-animal relationships and analyse bones from thousands of years ago. It's given me some direction with my master's dissertation, and I've found some awesome support from those who have been doing this sort of work for a long time."

Images in story: UNE student Troy Willoughby experienced his first excavation at Shimal; A view of the excavations in 'Trench F', at the foot of the historic Shimal watch tower.

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