Moral, Social and Cultural Studies - The Bronze Age and Umm an-Nar

Vocabulary terms and definitions based on the history of the Bronze Age, the Umm an-Nar culture, and early agricultural developments in the UAE.

Domesticate

To tame an animal for human use, such as the camel, which made traveling across sand dunes between regions like Al Ain and Abu Dhabi possible.

Channel

A passage dug into the ground used to move fresh water from wells to agricultural fields.

Crops

Plants grown for food or materials, including wheat, barley, and the highly versatile date palm.

Pastoral Nomads

People who moved with their sheep and goats across the landscape according to the seasons, often trading with settled villages.

Copper

A metal found in massive amounts in the al-Hajar mountain range that was mined, purified, and traded extensively with Mesopotamia.

Bronze

A mixture of copper and other metals used to create stronger tools and weapons compared to stone.

Bronze Age

A period lasting from about $3,000$ to $1,200$ BCE characterized by the increased use of metal for manufacturing tools.

Umm an-Nar Culture

A unique society in the UAE area around $2,500$ BCE known for social equality and its role in the regional copper trade.

Hili

A location in Al Ain where the earliest evidence of growing crops in the UAE area was found, dating to about $3,000$ BCE.

Date Palm

One of the most important crops in the ancient UAE, providing food and materials for building and basket making.

Magan

The name used in Mesopotamian records to refer to the society located in what is now the UAE and Oman during the Bronze Age.

Bitumen

A form of crude oil used by ancient boat builders to harden and waterproof the hulls of ships used for trade.

Mesopotamia

A powerful empire that traded beautiful ceramic vessels, ivory combs, and beads to the Umm an-Nar people in exchange for copper.

Indian Ocean monsoon

A weather pattern that moved south around $4,000$ BCE, causing the UAE climate to become drier and more like it is today.