Marine mammal bones from 3,500 BC found

Umm Al Qaiwain, April 10 (IANS/WAM) Bones of dugongs, large marine mammals of the sea cow family, dating back to 3,500 BC, have been found on an island off the coast of Umm Al Qaiwain in the United Arab Emirates.

The bones, found by a French archaeological mission and the UAE’s department of antiquities and heritage, were symbolically arranged on a mound believed to be used for ceremonial purposes.

The findings show that these were part of traditional fishing rites observed by tribesmen living in the region.

The team said the dugong mound was only a small part of a much larger Neolithic site.

–IANS/WAM