Two millennia ago, the aromas of Arabian scents such as frankincense and myrrh drifted through the markets of ancient Rome. How these precious commodities reached the empire is the focus of a new exhibition, From Sharjah to Rome: Along the Spice Route, currently on display at the Curia Julia – the former seat of the Roman Senate – in the heart of the Italian capital.
Organised by the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, the exhibition features 110 artefacts unearthed in the emirate, dating from the 3rd century BCE to the 1st century CE. These discoveries highlight Sharjah’s role as a key node in the ancient trade route linking Rome with the East, including Mesopotamia, India, Central Asia and China.
Some of the objects on display were excavated from the desert landscapes of Mleiha, Dibba and Al Hisn. These include a twin-handled, green-glazed ceramic amphora from southern Mesopotamia, linked to funerary rituals; Roman coins, alongside locally produced imitations reflecting the interconnected nature of ancient commerce; a necklace with 99 spherical beads made of gold and agate; ivory combs and Hellenistic-inspired earrings.
Eisa Yousif, general director of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority, states that these findings further underscore the emirate's crucial position on ancient trade routes while also reflecting its contemporary role as a bridge between cultures.
"The inscriptions found in Mleiha indicate that Sharjah was not an isolated region, but rather a crucial player in the ancient world’s trade networks. 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," he said.
"These cities stood at the junction of ancient routes that connected India and farther China with the Mediterranean and Rome. The objects we see here – statuettes of the deity Aphrodite, Indo-Greek and Roman coins, incense burners, jewellery and weapons – testify to how Rome and Italy were in contact with those territories.”
Italian archaeologist Alfonsina Russo, director of the Archaeological Park of the Colosseum, highlighted the significance of scents and aromatics sourced from Sharjah and its surrounding regions. These ingredients, used for both culinary and medicinal purposes, were so valued in the Roman Empire that their trade was regulated by imperial authorities.
"They were among the most valuable and sought-after commodities in Rome because they were used in sacred ceremonies and daily life," she notes. "And this is precisely why they were regulated. Not far from the exhibition site, warehouses commissioned by Emperor Domitian in the late 1st century AD were built to store pepper and other incense spices."
Regarded as the first Arab-focused exhibition at Rome’s Colosseum complex, where the Curia Julia is located, the show highlights Sharjah’s role in significant cultural discoveries, shedding light on the deep historical ties that connected ancient civilisations.
It also brings attention to Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape, an area that includes parts of Mleiha, and has been nominated as a potential Unesco World Heritage Site. The UAE’s Ministry of Culture submitted the nomination in 2023, and it is under review.
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, chairwoman of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, is heading the nomination campaign. She emphasises the significance of the emirate's archaeological heritage in deepening the understanding of early human civilisation and migration patterns.
“Sharjah has long been a crossroads of ancient civilisations, where stories, ideas and cultures have converged for millennia. Historical sites like Mleiha reveal stories from the Bronze Age and pre-Islamic periods, showcasing extraordinary ingenuity and prosperity,” she said.
“The Faya Palaeolandscape unveils a significant chapter of human history spanning over 200,000 years, holding a pivotal place in humanity’s journey by documenting the migration of people out of Africa and into the region. 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.”
Khuloud Al Houli Al Suwaidi, director of tangible cultural heritage at the Sharjah Archaeological Authority, said we are still only beginning to uncover Faya Palaeolandscape’s full potential.
"This is not the end of the excavation. We have explored only 20 per cent of the site, while the remaining 80 per cent will be left for future generations," she said. "You can only imagine the depth of history buried there and the discoveries yet to come that will expand our understanding of the past."
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Some facts about bees:
The queen bee eats only royal jelly, an extraordinary food created by worker bees so she lives much longer
The life cycle of a worker bee is from 40-60 days
A queen bee lives for 3-5 years
This allows her to lay millions of eggs and allows the continuity of the bee colony
About 20,000 honey bees and one queen populate each hive
Honey is packed with vital vitamins, minerals, enzymes, water and anti-oxidants.
Apart from honey, five other products are royal jelly, the special food bees feed their queen
Pollen is their protein source, a super food that is nutritious, rich in amino acids
Beewax is used to construct the combs. Due to its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial elements, it is used in skin treatments
Propolis, a resin-like material produced by bees is used to make hives. It has natural antibiotic qualities so works to sterilize hive, protects from disease, keeps their home free from germs. Also used to treat sores, infection, warts
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Honey, royal jelly, pollen have health enhancing qualities
The other three products are used for therapeutic purposes
Is beekeeping dangerous?
As long as you deal with bees gently, you will be safe, says Mohammed Al Najeh, who has worked with bees since he was a boy.
“The biggest mistake people make is they panic when they see a bee. They are small but smart creatures. If you move your hand quickly to hit the bees, this is an aggressive action and bees will defend themselves. They can sense the adrenalin in our body. But if we are calm, they are move away.”
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