Tell Abraq dates back to the third millennium BC and was contemporary with the Umm Al Nar civilisation in Abu Dhabi. The site was first discovered by the Iraqi archaeological mission in 1973. It was later rediscovered and extensively excavated by the Australian archaeological mission led by Dr. Dan Potts. Excavations continued over three seasons, during which a large circular fortress with a terraced design, built from marine stones, was uncovered, along with a collection of bronze artefacts, pottery and other important archaeological finds.

The discovery of the fortress provides evidence of the development of architectural techniques. The site also yielded the first archaeological evidence of coastal inhabitants in the form of “fishermen’s huts,” as well as circular tombs dating back to the Umm Al Nar period.