A team of archaeologists has made a groundbreaking discovery at an ancient monastery site on Sir Bani Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.
On Tuesday, the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) announced they found a cross molded on a stucco plaque in the monastery.
This marks the first significant excavation on the island in over 30 years.
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In January 2025, DCT Abu Dhabi initiated a new fieldwork campaign on Sir Bani Yas Island, leading to the cross’s discovery. The artifact is thought to have been used by monks for spiritual reflection. The cross’s design is similar to those found in Iraq and Kuwait, connecting it to the Church of the East, which originated in ancient Iraq.
Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of DCT Abu Dhabi, stated, “The discovery of this ancient Christian cross on Sir Bani Yas Island is a powerful testament to the UAE’s deep-rooted values of coexistence and cultural openness.”
“It instills a profound sense of pride and honor, reminding us that peaceful coexistence is a historical principle woven into our region’s history,” he added.
Monastic Complex
The Christian monastery dating from the seventh to eighth century CE was first uncovered on Sir Bani Yas Island in 1992 by the Abu Dhabi Islands Archaeological Survey (Adias), under the UAE leadership’s guidance. Excavations revealed a church and a monastic complex, thought to be distinct areas where senior monks practiced contemplation and asceticism.
Archaeologists are currently investigating a cluster of courtyard houses near the monastery, where early Christian monks lived in seclusion.
Christianity in the Region
Sir Bani Yas is part of a larger network of churches and monasteries that appeared in the region during the same era, with similar sites in Umm Al Quwain, Kuwait, Iran, and Saudi Arabia. Christianity spread and waned across the Arabian Peninsula from the fourth to sixth centuries CE. Christians and Muslims later coexisted until the eighth century CE when the Sir Bani Yas monastery was peacefully abandoned. Today, the church and monastery, located within nature reserves home to gazelles and hyrax, serve as a testament to Abu Dhabi’s rich history.
In 2019, as part of restoration efforts by DCT Abu Dhabi, the church and monastery were protected with shelters. The Sir Bani Yas church and monastery site has reopened to the public with enhanced facilities, including directional signage and a small exhibition of artifacts from previous excavations, such as glass chalices, a cross-shaped stucco, and a stamp seal with a scorpion motif. A multi-faith church inspired by the ancient site has been built next to the visitor center.
DCT Abu Dhabi plans to continue excavating the courtyard houses, potentially incorporating them into a broader visitor trail connecting the island’s cultural landmarks.
