Applied Methodology of Field Survey and Selective Excavation to Understand the Late Islamic Landscape of Suhaila (Hatta, Dubai)

The archaeological site of Suhaila (Hatta, Dubai) constitutes one of the most representative late Islamic rural landscapes in the south-east of the Arabian Peninsula. This paper presents the results of a multi-scale investigation carried out between 2025 and 2026, integrating geospatial analysis using remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), terrestrial laser scanning (TLS), systematic field survey and archaeological excavation. Spatial analysis of 16 sites and the documentation of over 190 structures reveal a clear relationship between settlement distribution and fluvial landforms: 60% of the structures are located on terraces and 68% in areas of temporary water accumulation, despite their limited coverage of the territory. These results suggest that site selection was closely linked to water availability in an arid environment. Excavations at Suhaila 6, 9, 10, 11 and 12 provide complementary information that allows the occupation to be dated mainly to the second half of the 19th century.

Keywords: South-Eastern Arabia, GIS, TLS, Gulf Archaeology, Hatta, Suhaila, Late Islamic Period, Mountainous Landscapes, Islamic Heritage.