Interested in historical buildings and facts? Hili Archaeological Park is a valuable destination for those interested in prehistoric civilisation and ancient people’s connection to the land. The landmarks here are from 2000 BC, depicting the ancient era of UAE. You can also discover all the interesting facts in its park-based museum.
The park also offers various facilities, such as BBQ stands and a basketball court, to make your visit memorable. So, let’s scroll down to explore this interesting archaeological destination in Al Ain!
About Hili Archaeological Park
Al Hili Archaeological Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Al Ain, offers a unique perspective on the region’s prehistoric societies. Dating back to the third millennium BC, the park showcases Bronze Age buildings and carved stone tombs from the Umm Al Nar culture.
It has also preserved the Falaj irrigation systems from the Iron Age, demonstrating water management and agricultural progress. The settlement also marked trade routes with Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley.
Location
Hili Archeological Park, one of the best places to visit in Al Ain, is located in:
Al Hili, Athar Hili Street, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Things to Do at Hili Archaeological Park
There are various informative and engaging activities to do, including:
1. Explore the Hili Grand Tomb
As soon as you enter the Hili Archeological Park, your eyes lay on the park’s centrepiece, The Hili Grand Tomb. This 4m high historical tomb is surrounded by a garden with plants, fountains, and a children’s play area.
Additionally, there are two entrances to the tomb, which have engraved reliefs of human and animal figures, reflecting its ancient history.
2. Visit the Hili Archaeological Garden
You can then visit the tranquil Hili Garden and explore the ruins and artefacts, showcasing UAE’s rich history. The garden displays the historic wells, irrigation systems, and vegetation, which were once crucial to the nation’s economy.
3. Witness the Ancient Oasis
The park also contains many tombs and buildings from 2000 BC, depicting the people’s ancient lifestyle. The Falaj irrigation system demonstrates how they controlled the desert environment to sustain agriculture and their way of life. This way, you will witness how early people’s water management systems were.
4. Hili Towers
The park also features historic watchtowers, built from native stone, as observation and defensive posts. These towers offer stunning viewpoints of the surroundings and the landmark defences, along with their tactical significance.
5. Visit Hili Archaeological Museum
You can also visit the Hili Archaeological Museum, which houses a diverse collection of excavated artefacts. Due to its interactive and engaging exhibits, this park-based museum is a must-visit for those interested in the area’s history.
Nearby Attractions
The Hili Archaeological Park is also near several other historical landmarks in Al Ain, within a few minute’s drive. These attractions include:
- Hili Fun City: 4 minutes drive away
- Al Rumaila Fort: 5 minutes drive away
- Bin Helal Fort Al Ain Abu Dhabi: 12 minutes drive away
- Al Jahili Fort: 17 minutes drive away
- Al Ain Oasis: 18 minutes drive away
Facilities
The park also offers numerous facilities for the visitors, including:
- Free parking
- Mosque
- BBQ stands
- Cafeteria
- Basketball court
- Kids’ play area
- Toilets
Entry Fee
The best thing about this amazing family destination in Al Ain is that it is free to visit. There is no entry fee for visiting Hili Archaeological Park.
Other Details
The following are the opening hours and contact details for the Hili Archaeological Park:
Timings
09:30 am to 06:30 pm (Daily)
Contact
+71-2-666-4442
FAQs
The site provides the earliest known evidence of an agricultural village in the UAE and preserves other Bronze Age and Iron Age villages and findings.
The Hili Archaeological Park is located in Al Ain, Abu Dhabi.
You can visit the following attractions in Hili Archaeological Park:
– Hili Grand Tomb
– Hili Archaeological Garden
– Ancient Oasis
– Hili Towers
– Archaeological Museum
Hili Archeological Park is ideal for those interested in the area’s history. Also, due to the recent renovations, the park is now among the best picnic spots in Al Ain. Here, you can enjoy visiting various attractions, such as museums and watchtowers.
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