Traditional Architecture, Ras al Khaimah, UAE

Project Summary

The focus of the project is recording the upstanding traditional (vernacular) architecture of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, including residential houses, agricultural structures, buildings for worship (mosques) and communal structures (e.g. towers; forts; mercantile buildings).   Coastal and Mountain architecture have been examined ranging from town and village to individual structures.  Currently most of the historic architecture of Ras al Khaimah is unrecorded in a systematic manner, and indeed, many structures are being lost to development or natural decay.  Creating an accurate map of these assets leads to further study  The results include a book and academic articles. .  Currently over 2000 structures have been recorded in two seasons, with a further field season to follow.  The record will form a significant part of the Sites and Monument Record for RAK.

Service Provision

The scope of the entire project encompasses four phases of works:  Field Record and Photographs with polygonised sites; provided a custom database system tied to GIS mapping; training in survey technology; preperation of academic and popular literature. The system was designed to dovetail with Arches Project Cultural Heritage Inventory and Management system with the ability to be updated, collect new project data and monitor sites via a digital cloud based system.

Project Gallery

GIS Map

Creating a geospatial dataset of sites is key

Data in 3D

By placing data onto a Digital Elevation model, one is better able to visualise site distribution

Comprehensive database

Linked records, typologies and images all available via a single search system and GIS

Locate

Locating fragile and irreplaceable resources is the first step

Record

Using mobile data recording systems, linked to cloud storage

Capture

From 19th century fort to prehistoric tomb - capturing data allows for better management

Fragile

The shared heritage of a nation is fragile and can be lost so easily.

Remote

From town to high mountain pass, the team is ready to record anywhere

Conserve

Once you know where, then the condition and consolidation can begin

Publications

Connolly D. and H. Kdolska 2019.
Traditional Architecture of Ras al-Khaimah (UAE), Mapping Project: Phase Ia (unpublished report, available from Department of Antiquities & Museums, Government of Ras al-Khaimah)

Connolly D. and H. Kdolska 2020.
Traditional Architecture of Ras al-Khaimah (UAE), Mapping Project: Phase Ib (unpublished report, available from Department of Antiquities & Museums, Government of Ras al-Khaimah)