You may remember I'm an archaeologist by profession. Before coming to Dubai, I was living every archaeologists' dream- working and living in Rome, Italy. When I told my friends I was moving to the Middle East and in particular Dubai, many couldn't understand my choice since "Dubai doesn't have a history".

Let me tell you this is not true. Dubai and the UAE in general have a rich historical past dating back thousands of years. While some people choose to only see skyscrapers, those who want to can actually explore museums and ruins - sometimes as close as Jumeirah.

The Jumeirah Archaeological Site spans over a large area in the heart of Jumeirah, just North of the Dubai canal. The buildings discovered so far belong to the Abbasid period, an early Islamic period between the 9th and the 10th century and contemporary to the Byzantine Empire and the Carolingian Empire in Europe.

While most people come to the complex to visit the Arabian Tea House (which is definitely nice but also always crowded)...

...the archaeological site is worth a visit, and free of charge to enter. We picked up an information booklet in front of the visitor center...

...and the boys were exhilarated to guide us using their "treasure map"!

Although it's not entirely explored yet (more excavations are planned), 8 separate buildings can be seen.

The largest building on the site is the caravanserai, with a size of nearly 1000 sqm.

Around a central courtyard were arranged a multitude of little rooms for travelers - an ancient hotel more or less.

Another massive building was a large residential house with columns and geometric stucco details on the facades.

Of particular interest for the kids was the market...

3D models of the ancient buildings are displayed on site, which makes it easier to imagine them back then.

There is even a mosque, recognizable thanks to its orientation towards the West (Mecca), the mehrab and inscriptions.

It was a longish walk but we made it more entertaining for the kids by challenging them to find one building after the other on the map and guiding us there. They took their mission very seriously!

It is definitely getting hotter again so if you want to explore the archaeological site, you should go soon... There is only limited shade provided by some trees and a few gazebos.

On hot days, there is still the small museum which is free of charge to enter.

Here are displayed items found on the site itself, from pottery and vessels...

...over jewellery and other small pieces...

...to architectural elements. Can you imagine those ancient Jumeirah villas with their decorated windows?!

The sea has always played a major role in the life of Jumeirah's residents, as shows this boat-shaped lamp.

Alex and Elias, who at 3 and 5 are relatively young for a museum tour, were most impressed by this glass bottle fragment which is an every day item they could relate to.

There is also a 3D model or a glazed pottery jar...

...and interactive screens...

"Mummy, is this where you were digging?!" (unfortunately the answer is no, I've always only worked in the Mediterranean)

I would definitely recommend visiting the archaeological site, with or without kids. Residential houses, a market, a "hotel", a mosque and artifacts more than 1000 years old offer an impressive glimpse of the UAE's past.

If you'd like to cool off at The Arabian Tea House after your visit, make sure to book an outdoor table ahead as they are in demand!

Jumeirah Archaeological Site

Opening hours 8 AM - 6 PM

RTA parking is available in front of the site and still free of charge on Fridays until further notice.