Dalma, Island settlement in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Dalma is an island located about 42 kilometers off the coast of Abu Dhabi, rising approximately 56 meters above the Persian Gulf waters. Multiple fresh water wells beneath the surface supply the settlement.
Archaeological surveys conducted in the 1990s identified over 20 ancient sites on the island, with evidence of human settlement dating back to the Neolithic period. These discoveries show that the island had been inhabited for thousands of years before modern times.
The Sheikh Zaid Dalma Museum, located in Al-Meraikhi House, displays objects that show how residents lived from fishing and pearl diving across generations. These items reveal the everyday practices and skills that shaped life on the island for centuries.
The island is accessible by ferry from Jebel Dhanna on the mainland or by air through Dalma Airport. Visitors should plan for limited services and bring supplies, as options are fewer than on the mainland.
Fresh water wells beneath the ground allowed people to live on this otherwise dry island for thousands of years. This water source made Dalma an unusually habitable place in the Gulf region.
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