The Archaeological Collections
Julfar period (13-17th. century AD)

In the 13.th century a large town developed at the coastline north of modern Ras al-Khaimah. During the next 300 years this town was the largest trading town at the arabian side of the gulf. Large quantities of chinese porecellain went through the harbour on its way to the ottoman empire or europe. The city was closely linked to Hormuz, the largest power in that period. Several excavations have produced a wide range of findes. The pottery shown here is either chinese or iranian imports or represents the local production, which started in this period. The local production "julfar ware" or "Wadi Haqil ware" was until the middle of the 20th century a major industry in Ras al-Khaimah and was distributed all over the gulf.