emirates7 - The Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA) has wrapped up its international exhibition, “From Sharjah to Rome via the Spice Route”, hosted at the Curia Julia—the historic Roman Senate building within the Colosseum Archaeological Park in Rome, Italy.
Held from February to May 2025, the exhibition attracted over 600,000 visitors from across the globe.
The showcase highlighted the enduring historical connections between Sharjah and the Roman world, focusing on the pivotal role of archaeological sites such as Mleiha and Dibba Al-Hisn. These sites were significant hubs along the ancient Silk and Spice Routes, particularly in facilitating the spice trade between the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean region.
As part of the exhibition's programme, the SAA created an interactive documentary that depicted the commercial and cultural exchanges between the Roman Empire and eastern Arabia—especially Mleiha and Dibba Al-Hisn—during the Roman era. The film earned praise from both visitors and scholars for its accurate and vivid portrayal of trade life, sea routes, and intercultural interaction during that period.
Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the SAA, commented that the exhibition marked a successful reintroduction of Sharjah’s heritage to an international audience. “Welcoming over 600,000 visitors in just three months shows the rising global interest in Sharjah’s archaeological wealth,” he noted. He added that visitors were able to explore Sharjah’s rich past through not only rare artefacts but also through immersive technologies and scholarly interpretation, which contributed to strengthening the emirate’s cultural reputation worldwide.
Yousif further highlighted that this achievement aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness’s unwavering support for cultural advancement has played a central role in positioning Sharjah as a beacon of civilisational dialogue, cultural identity, and international engagement.
The event also included a specialised academic seminar featuring Emirati and Italian experts, who discussed historical ties between Sharjah and the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on cutting-edge heritage conservation and archaeological techniques.
Moreover, the Sharjah Archaeology Authority held official discussions with the Colosseum Archaeological Park management, aiming to build long-term collaboration in research, exhibitions, and training.
The exhibition featured over 110 rare artefacts from key archaeological sites across Sharjah. These were presented through advanced technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and 3D visualisation, offering visitors a dynamic, educational, and immersive experience that deepened their appreciation of Sharjah’s historical richness and influence.
Held from February to May 2025, the exhibition attracted over 600,000 visitors from across the globe.
The showcase highlighted the enduring historical connections between Sharjah and the Roman world, focusing on the pivotal role of archaeological sites such as Mleiha and Dibba Al-Hisn. These sites were significant hubs along the ancient Silk and Spice Routes, particularly in facilitating the spice trade between the Arabian Gulf and the Mediterranean region.
As part of the exhibition's programme, the SAA created an interactive documentary that depicted the commercial and cultural exchanges between the Roman Empire and eastern Arabia—especially Mleiha and Dibba Al-Hisn—during the Roman era. The film earned praise from both visitors and scholars for its accurate and vivid portrayal of trade life, sea routes, and intercultural interaction during that period.
Eisa Yousif, Director-General of the SAA, commented that the exhibition marked a successful reintroduction of Sharjah’s heritage to an international audience. “Welcoming over 600,000 visitors in just three months shows the rising global interest in Sharjah’s archaeological wealth,” he noted. He added that visitors were able to explore Sharjah’s rich past through not only rare artefacts but also through immersive technologies and scholarly interpretation, which contributed to strengthening the emirate’s cultural reputation worldwide.
Yousif further highlighted that this achievement aligns with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. His Highness’s unwavering support for cultural advancement has played a central role in positioning Sharjah as a beacon of civilisational dialogue, cultural identity, and international engagement.
The event also included a specialised academic seminar featuring Emirati and Italian experts, who discussed historical ties between Sharjah and the Mediterranean, with an emphasis on cutting-edge heritage conservation and archaeological techniques.
Moreover, the Sharjah Archaeology Authority held official discussions with the Colosseum Archaeological Park management, aiming to build long-term collaboration in research, exhibitions, and training.
The exhibition featured over 110 rare artefacts from key archaeological sites across Sharjah. These were presented through advanced technologies such as augmented reality (AR) and 3D visualisation, offering visitors a dynamic, educational, and immersive experience that deepened their appreciation of Sharjah’s historical richness and influence.