An archaeological exhibition titled "From Sharjah to Rome via the Spice Route" is currently on display at the historic Curia Julia building in the Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome. Featuring 110 objects unearthed in Sharjah, the exhibition includes items from ancient trade centres such as Mleiha and Dibba Al-Hisn. It is the first Arab exhibition held at the historical site.
Under the patronage of the 11 ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi inaugurated the exhibition. The event is a collaborative effort between the Sharjah Archaeology Authority and the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, emphasizing Sharjah role in ancient trade networks between the East and West during the Hellenistic and Roman periods.
Notable artefacts on display include Roman glass flasks, a bronze statue of Venus, statuettes of the deity Aphrodite, Indo-Greek and Roman coins, incense burners, jewellery, and weapons. These items reveal the trade journeys that connected Sharjah to Rome, illustrating the cultural and economic exchanges between the two regions.
Archaeological excavations in Mleiha have uncovered Roman and Greek coins traded alongside locally minted currency featuring designs inspired by foreign coinage.
Key ports such as Dibba Port served as strategic hubs where Roman goods, highly sought after by local communities, were exchanged.
"The connection between the Arabian Peninsula and Rome was not incidental—it was part of a vast commercial and cultural exchange that left lasting imprints on both civilisations," said Eisa Yousif, director of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, as reported by Gulf News Relationships. "Beyond displaying archaeological discoveries, we are reconstructing history—offering scholars and the public an extraordinary opportunity to explore the profound connections between East and West."
The exhibition also draws attention to Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, an area that includes parts of Mleiha and has been nominated as a potential UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasized the importance of this heritage site. "Historical sites like Mleiha reveal stories from the Bronze Age and pre-Islamic periods, showcasing extraordinary ingenuity and prosperity," she said, as reported by The National. "It is more than an archaeological site—it is a living laboratory, unlocking the secrets of human origins and inviting the world to better understand its own story."
This article was written in collaboration with generative AI company Alchemiq