Archaeologists working on Sir Bani Yas Island in Abu Dhabi have uncovered a remarkable 1,400-year-old Christian cross, shedding new light on the region’s little-known Christian past.
The discovery was made during the first major excavation on the island in more than three decades. The cross, moulded onto a plaque, is thought to have been used by monks for meditation and prayer. Measuring 27cm long, 17cm wide, and 2cm thick, it is significantly larger and more detailed than the small cross found in the 1990s, which first confirmed the site as a Christian monastery.
What makes this cross especially distinctive are its symbolic details. The stepped pyramid design represents Golgotha—the hill where Christians believe Jesus was crucified—while sprouting leaves at the base symbolize new life. Scholars note that the style echoes similar finds from Iraq and Kuwait and aligns with traditions of the Church of the East, a Christian community whose influence stretched from the Middle East all the way to China.
Christianity is believed to have reached the Arabian Peninsula by the fourth century, flourishing alongside other faiths before gradually declining as Islam spread across the region in the seventh and eighth centuries. The monastery on Sir Bani Yas, active between the seventh and eighth centuries, illustrates this period of coexistence.
“This was not a marginal community,” lead archaeologist Maria Gajewska explained. “They were clearly flourishing, and this cross is a rare, powerful marker of their presence.”
The monastery complex itself was first revealed in 1992 and includes a church, living quarters, and courtyards. Theories about its purpose vary—from a retreat for senior monks to a spiritual refuge for wealthy Christians seeking solitude and prayer. Current excavations of nearby houses aim to build a fuller picture of daily life on the island more than a millennium ago.
For Abu Dhabi officials, the find carries wider cultural significance. “The discovery of this cross is a powerful testament to the UAE’s values of coexistence and openness,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism. “It reminds us that peaceful coexistence is not a modern idea, but a principle deeply rooted in our history.”
Sir Bani Yas today is best known as a wildlife reserve, home to gazelles and other animals. Yet it also preserves this unique glimpse into the UAE’s ancient past. Restoration projects in 2019 introduced shelters and displays, allowing visitors to explore the monastery site while viewing artefacts such as glass chalices and inscribed seals.
The newly discovered cross not only enriches our understanding of Christianity in the Arabian Peninsula but also highlights the enduring legacy of cultural exchange and religious diversity across the Gulf.