Qurayya: Cairn Field and Fort

Qurayya brings together two archaeological landmarks: a once-large cairn field of the Wadi Suq culture and a fortified fort near al-Qurayya. They served different purposes: the cairns were tombs, while the fort was a defensive structure. The wider travel destination of Fujairah also includes Wadi Wurayah in the Al Hajar Mountains, the Fujairah Museum, and Al Hayl Fort and Fujairah Fort.

The Cairn Field: Tombs of the Wadi Suq Culture

Qurayya is home to a once-large cairn field of the Wadi Suq culture, dating to the Late Bronze Age, approximately 1900 to 1300 BCE. The cairns served as tombs and usually contained only one individual. They are elongated oval stone structures made from wadi cobbles and built in a beehive-like form.

As the settlement expanded, the cairn field was greatly reduced and partly destroyed. Individual cairn groups were preserved and protected by the antiquities authority. Protection applies to individual groups within the field, not to the cairn field across its former full extent.

The Fort near al-Qurayya

Another landmark is the fortified fort near al-Qurayya, colloquially known as “Fort of Mohammed bin Mohammed.” A 2000 bulletin compares it with the contemporary fort at Safad farther up the wadi: the fort near al-Qurayya was considerably larger but more simply built. The cairns served as tombs; the fort near al-Qurayya was a defensive structure.

Fujairah as a Regional Setting

Within the wider travel destination of Fujairah, Wadi Wurayah offers a nature-focused perspective. It is located in the Al Hajar Mountains and was declared the United Arab Emirates’ first Mountain Protected Area by Decree No. 2 in 2009. Wurayah covers 192 square kilometers; its boundaries may vary depending on the designation. A report from 2015–2016 highlights Wadi Wurayah as an important area for preserving the environment and culture. Visitors should leave Wadi Al Wurayah as they found it.

Fujairah’s cultural history also encompasses other landmarks. The Fujairah Museum presents the history and cultural heritage of earlier generations through archaeological finds. Al Hayl Fort overlooks several routes leading to the city; Fujairah Fort was used for defensive purposes. The museum presents history and cultural heritage through archaeological finds; Al Hayl Fort overlooks routes to the city, while Fujairah Fort served defensive purposes. In the wider travel destination of Fujairah, visitors can take day trips and overnight excursions from Dibba on a traditional Arab dhow. The two options differ in duration: one is a day trip, while the other includes an overnight stay. The dhow trip adds a maritime touch to Fujairah’s natural and cultural-historical attractions for your travel planning.

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Discover more destinations: Dibba, Fujairah, Dadna

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