[3] One of the largest archaeological sites in the emirates,[4] comprising an area of some 5 km2 (1.9 sq mi), the coastal settlement overlooks Al Beidha Lake.

One of the most important archaeological finds in the UAE, and closely associated with the inland trading centre of Mleiha, Ed Dur has been dubbed "one of the most significant lost cities of Arabia".

Some 500 of these tombs have been excavated,[4] with grave goods discovered including drinking sets, Roman glass, weaponry, pottery, jewelry and ivory objects.

[6] During later work at Ed Dur at the end of March 2019, fifteen tombs, bronze statues, settlement remains, jewellery, and pottery (dating back to the 1st century) CE were unearthed at the site.

[11] Contemporary Greek manuscripts have given the exports from Ed Dur as 'pearls, purple dye, clothing, wine, gold and slaves, and a great quantity of dates'.

[12] Similarities in burial rituals (of laying animals to rest with their owners) and vessels, decorations and small bronze snake figures have also been unearthed.

[7] Camels buried with their heads reversed are a common feature of both the animal burials at the coastal city of Ed Dur and Mleiha inland.

[3] Macedonian style coinage unearthed at Ed Dur dates back to Alexander the Great,[4] while hundreds of coins have been found featuring a head of Heracles and a seated Zeus on the obverse, and bearing the name of Abi'el in Aramaic.

Attesting to the regional trade through Ed Dur, coins from Roman (Augustus and Tiberius), Eastern Mediterranean (Nabataean, Gaza), southern Mesopotamian (Characene), South Arabian (Hadramawt), Persian (Parthian and Persis), and Indian sources were found.

[6] A rectangular basin, located in the north-east corner of the building, sits on a broad base with a 8-line inscription in Aramaic, of which only a sole word can now be deciphered, "Shamash", a reference to Shams, or the Sun deity.