Mezyad, Al-Ain
Mezyad (Arabic: مَزْيَد, romanized: Mazyad)[1][2] is a settlement in Al-Ain Region in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates, located to the south of the main part of Al Ain City, on the border with Oman.[3] It is known for having a historical fort,[4][5] and is part of a desert park, which also includes a necropolis and Mount Hafeet nearby. The park can be called either "Mezyad Desert Park"[6][7] or "Jebel Hafeet Desert Park".[4][8]
Mezyad
مَزْيَد (in Arabic) | |
|---|---|
 Prehistoric 'beehive' tomb near Jebel Hafeet, from the Hafit period of the Early Bronze Age in Mezyad Desert Park, near the settlement of Mezyad | |
  Mezyad Location of Mezyad in the UAE  Mezyad Mezyad (Asia) | |
| Coordinates: 24°1′16″N 55°50′0″E | |
| Country | United Arab Emirates |
| Emirate | Abu Dhabi |
| Municipal region | Al-Ain |
| Government | |
| • Type | Absolute monarchy |
| • Sheikh | Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan |
| • Ruler's Representative of the Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi | Tahnoun bin Mohammed Al Nahyan |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15,100 km2 (5,800 sq mi) |
| Population (2017) | |
| • Total | 766,936 |
| • Density | 51/km2 (130/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+4 (UAE Standard Time) |
History
As a region, Al-Ain has been inhabited for over 7 millennia, as demonstrated by archeological finds. In particular, there are tombs shaped as beehives in the area of Mezyad, at the base of Jebel Hafeet, which date back to the Hafit period of the Early Bronze Age, besides[4][9] In the 1950s, Sheikh Zayed, who would become the founding President of the United Arab Emirates, discovered the tombs, and brought this to the attention of a Danish team, leading to an excavation at the tombs in 1959. In 1971, Al Ain Museum was built to house items from this area. In the 2000s, the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture & Heritage lobbied for its recognition as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and in 2011, Al-Ain became the first World Heritage Site in the UAE to be recognized by UNESCO.[10]
Fort
| Mezyad Fort | |
|---|---|
قَلْعَة مَزْيَد | |
| Al Ain, Eastern Region of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the UAE | |
 The fort with Jebel Hafeet in the background | |
 Mezyad Fort | |
| Coordinates | 24°1′16″N 55°50′0″E |
| Site history | |
| Built | Possibly in the 19th century[5] |
Mezyad Fort (Arabic: قَلْعَة مَزْيَد, romanized: Qalʿat Mazyad) is a historical fort located to the east of Jebel Hafeet, and near the Hafit tombs of the Early Bronze Age, and the border crossing with Oman. Given that it is similar in appearance to the 19th century Jahili fort, it is thought to have been constructed at around the same time, during the reign of Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan.[4][5]
Transport
Mezyad lies on a route from the main part of Al-Ain to Oman, leading to Dhank, Ibri and Nizwa, and going through the Western Hajar Mountains.[5] Named "Zayed Bin Sultan Street", it goes past Al-Ain's traditional camel market, near Bawadi Mall[2] and an IKEA store.[11]
See also
References
- The Rough Guide to Dubai. Rough Guides UK. 2016-11-01. ISBN 978-0-2412-9864-0.
- The Rough Guide to Dubai. Rough Guides UK. Penguin. 2016-11-15. ISBN 978-0-2412-9865-7.
- "Eastern Region Bus Services", Department of Transport, Government of Abu Dhabi, archived from the original on 2018-05-24, retrieved 2018-11-04
- Salama, Samir (2011-12-30). "Al Ain bears evidence of a culture's ability to adapt". Gulf News. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
- Kazmi, Aftab (2013-05-23). "Mezyad Fort stands tall in the foothills of Jebel Hafeet". Gulf News. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
- "Mezyad Desert Park". Gustafson Porter + Bowman. 2007–2012. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
- "Annual Report 2017" (PDF), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, 1: Culture, p. 119, 2017, retrieved 2019-03-09
- "Annual Report 2018 – Culture" (PDF), Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, 1, p. 117, 2018, retrieved 2019-05-06
- Potts, Daniel T.; Nābūdah, Ḥasan Muḥammad; Hellyer, Peter (2003). Archaeology of the United Arab Emirates. London: Trident Press. pp. 174–177. ISBN 1-9007-2488-X. OCLC 54405078.
- Ghazal, Rym (2011-07-03). "Al Ain's World Heritage tombs can now rest in peace". The National. Retrieved 2019-05-06.
- Neild, Barry (2018-10-03). "Day trip from Abu Dhabi: The cool oasis of Al Ain". CNN. Retrieved 2019-03-10.